Onto the second half of the WHL season we go, and with it underway, most players who were away at the World Junior Championship in Ottawa have now returned to their respective clubs. That includes 2024 No. 8 draft pick of the Seattle Kraken, Berkly Catton, who rejoined the Spokane Chiefs lineup on Friday night in Everett, where Sound Of Hockey was able to catch up with him.
Though the Chiefs weren’t able to squeak away with the win at Angel of the Winds Arena in Catton’s return, falling 4-2 to the Silvertips, there definitely seemed to be an extra pep in his step. Whether it was the highs from the tournament still lingering or a newly revitalized Chiefs’ first line that Catton came back to, it was clear he was eager to make an impact.
The quick and nimble 18-year-old forward from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, is doing everything he can to show his improvements to the development staff in Seattle, and it’s paying off.
Tough lessons learned from the WJC
When Canada opened the tournament with an unexpected loss to Latvia, many began to foresee its fate and were unsurprised when the team ultimately failed to medal for the second year in a row.
A lot of the blame fell on Hockey Canada and some of the questionable decisions made when constructing the initial roster in the first place. Nonetheless a loss is a loss in Catton’s book.
“No one wants to go through [those types of losses], but realistically, every hockey player does,” Catton said. “Adversity ultimately makes me a stronger person and a better player.”
Catton himself, a dynamic scoring forward that has continued to light up the WHL this season, was held to just one assist in five games at the World Junior Championship.
Despite the hardships and all that followed, Catton claimed it was important to learn these lessons early.
Kraken’s focus on Catton’s development
As for what the Kraken’s development program has focused on with Catton, they want to see him take more initiative in challenging game situations, working off the puck to create opportunities.
“They picked me because of how I’m able to make plays, but there are obviously more things we’ve wanted to work on. Mainly, building muscle and improving my straight-away speed are the areas they’ve wanted me to focus on.”
The 5-foot-10 Catton noted that he’s gained almost eight pounds since being drafted and now weighs 180 pounds.
Development staff impressed by Catton’s progress
In a recent interview on the Sound Of Hockey Podcast, Kraken director of player development Jeff Tambellini expressed admiration for Catton’s performance both at the World Juniors and in the WHL this season.
“Catton’s been a profile Hockey Canada guy since he was 15,” Tambellini said. “He’s been the captain, he’s been the best player, and as an 18-year-old, he’s now in an impact scoring role.”
Despite failing to meet the lofty expectations placed on by Team Canada, Tambellini and the development staff were pleased with how Catton handled the roles Canada gave him.
“He’s a second- or third-line center. He’s on the first power play,” Tambellini continued. “For an 18-year-old kid, that’s amazing—to have him in high-pressure games, in high-pressure moments, and having the responsibility to score in Ottawa with a packed building, and in such a hostile environment.
“From the Kraken’s standpoint, we love that he’s had that experience. You get to go up against the top guys, and you’re the guy going over the boards in those big moments. That only helps.”
Catton’s steady production in Spokane
Back in Spokane, Catton continues to produce solidly from game to game in the WHL. His point production expectedly hasn’t been as high as his draft season last year, where he put up 15 goals and 39 assists in just 30 games, but he’s still delivering what the development staff has been hoping to see.
They’re eager to see Catton play in more high-leverage situations, and with recent additions to the Chiefs’ roster, he’ll have more opportunities to prove himself down the stretch and deeper into the WHL playoffs, especially with his new partner in crime, Andrew Cristall.
Cristall was in camp with Catton for Team Canada initially, but astonishingly, the WHL leading scorer didn’t make the team. He’s thrilled he gets to join forces with Catton now.
“We were around the puck the whole night and getting looks,” Cristall said after Friday’s game in Everett. “He’s a special player. I think he found me a few times tonight where I didn’t think anybody really could.”
Catton admitted that it wasn’t going to be an instant connection, but having a player of similar caliber to him on his side nightly could only stand to benefit him and his development.
He said it might take him and Cristall some time to gain chemistry with each other, but it sure looked like they were already clicking.
After losing 4-2 at Everett on Friday, the Chiefs headed east to Wenatchee the following evening and absolutely lit it up, winning 12-2 against the Wild. Catton and Cristall combined for a ridiculous 14 points on the night, with Catton recording a goal and six assists.
The Everett Silvertips continue to roll. With a record of 30-5-3-3, they sit nine points ahead in the top spot in the West, showing no signs of slowing down.
Everett consistently dominates in shot totals and puts up crooked numbers night after night. They lead the league in both goals for and goals against, with a margin of over 25 goals in each category.
They took care of business on Friday night against the Chiefs, behind Jesse Sanche’s 43-save performance. He’s been nothing short of remarkable this season, leading the WHL with a .917 save percentage and a 2.21 goals-against average. No other goalie is within 0.40 of his lead.
After a tough loss on Saturday in Kent, where they blew a 4-1 lead to the lowly Seattle Thunderbirds and eventually lost in a shootout, the Silvertips bounced back with a commanding 4-1 win over the Tri-City Americans on Sunday.
Everett’s ability to battle through adversity is in a class above others in the WHL. They’ve only lost back-to-back games twice this season.
“I would say just as a team, we don’t really get frustrated,” forward Carter Bear said. “We just move on, learn from our losses, and come back together as a team. That regrouping shows on the ice.”
More on Bear’s game shortly.
But arguably the biggest news of the season for the Tips came this past week, when the team announced that beloved former team captain Austin Roest would be rejoining the club on an injury rehab stint from Nashville’s AHL affiliate in Milwaukee.
Roest was one of the Silvertips’ most dominant two-way attackers in the league last season, with 38 goals and 33 assists in 61 regular-season games, but he sustained a lower-body injury during Game 5 of the first round playoff series against Vancouver. He hasn’t appeared in a game for either the Admirals or Silvertips since.
Nonetheless, everyone we spoke to this weekend expressed excitement about getting back an established leader in the locker room. As for management, they’re just happy they didn’t have to shell out a pretty penny to bring him back.
“It was something that came together where we said, ‘What would an Austin Roest-caliber player cost to acquire at the deadline?’ And for us, we’re talking about multiple, multiple assets,” Coach Hamilton said. “When he’s in-house, he’s a former captain, like we’re not talking about a fringe player here, we’re talking about a Silvertip through and through; it was a no-brainer.”
In addition, Julius Miettinen didn’t dress for the Silvertips this weekend, still recovering from his time with Finland at the World Juniors. Coach Hamilton said the silver medalist should be back soon.
“When he’s not here, we feel that gap in our lineup,” Hamilton said. “Whether it’s face-offs, or being a big body around the net. As a skilled, big man, he has a lot of the attributes you like.”
Header photo by Larry Brunt, courtesy of the Spokane Chiefs.
Just when you think it can’t get any worse, it does. The Kraken went 1-3-0 over the last week, with two of those losses standing out as some of the worst games the team has ever played—a pair of 6-2 defeats in Columbus and Detroit. In classic 2024-25 Kraken fashion, it was one disastrous period in each game that sealed their fate. They surrendered four goals in the second period against Columbus and another four in the first period against Detroit. In those stretches, the Kraken looked out of sync, outclassed, and outcoached, resembling a 90’s expansion team.
You could also include the first period of the game against the Buffalo Sabres, where they allowed two goals and were outshot 15-7. While not quite as disastrous as the other two games, it was still a rough period. I hate to be so harsh, but those three periods stand out as some of the worst hockey this team has played all season.
To their credit, and consistent with what we have seen from the Kraken all year, they didn’t quit and battled through the rest of each game. However, in the cases of Columbus and Detroit, it was too little, too late. Certainly, injuries have taken a toll on this team. You might also excuse some of the sluggishness in the Detroit game as it was the second game of a back-to-back. But the issues run deeper than that.
Missing Yanni Gourde
I mentioned it last week, but this team really misses Yanni Gourde. While I don’t know how vocal he is in the locker room, his on-ice energy and effort often seem to inspire the team. The Gourde line has consistently set the tone, and in his absence, that spark has been missing.
In the last three games he played, the Kraken went 2-0-1, with his line providing a jumpstart when the team needed it most. Gourde also seems to deliver crucial energy boosts in pivotal moments. Unfortunately, while he’s eligible to return from injured reserve, he is not with the team on this road trip, and his return remains uncertain.
All eyes on the trade deadline
While I’ll continue rooting for the Kraken for every remaining second of the season, it’s hard to ignore the looming trade deadline on March 7. It seems likely that both Brandon Tanev and Yanni Gourde will be traded. Those are the obvious names, but could there be others?
I’ve loved Jaden Schwartz’s play this year. He’s been one of the team’s bright spots and could be an appealing trade target for a contender. With a Stanley Cup win (Blues, 2019) under his belt and one year remaining on his contract at $5.5 million, Schwartz could fetch a solid return if the Kraken decide to move him.
Another player that could be appealing for playoff teams is Oliver Bjorkstrand. He is tied for first on the team with 13 goals and is the type of depth scoring that could be attractive to teams that think they are Stanley Cup contenders. The thought of Oliver not being on this team pains me, but you’ve got to consider just about anything at this point, and for the right price, no one is untouchable.
The bigger question is what the Kraken are looking for in return. They had two huge drafts in 2022 and 2023, picking up nine first- or second-round selections, and seem to have had another solid draft in 2024. Do they want to stockpile more draft picks, or are they targeting younger players on the cusp of breaking into the NHL?
I’ve been championing a deal for Nick Robertson since the beginning of the season. Toronto might be a logical landing spot for Yanni Gourde, and a deal involving Robertson could make sense for both sides.
While trades will start to pick up in late January and early February, most of the action will likely happen closer to the trade deadline in March. Stay tuned—this next stretch could shape the Kraken’s future.
Other musings
Kaapo Kakko appears to be part of the long-term solution in Seattle. He has five points in his last five games, including two goals on Saturday in Buffalo. Notably, he set a franchise record by scoring the fastest two goals by a single player in Kraken history, just 1:40 apart.
Kakko remains the only Kraken player named to a 4 Nations Face-off roster. There’s an outside chance that Eeli Tolvanen could join Team Finland as an injury replacement. Erik Haula has been named to the Finnish roster but hasn’t played for the Devils since Jan. 4 due to a sprained ankle.
The Kraken have allowed the first goal in each of their last five games, going 1-4-0 in that stretch. This continues a season-long trend, as they are 9-19-0 when conceding the opening goal.
Despite being one of the league’s most disciplined teams this season, averaging just 2.9 penalties per game, the Kraken committed 13 penalties over the weekend. Three of Detroit’s six goals in their matchup came on the power play.
After clearing waivers last week, Daniel Sprong made an immediate impact for Coachella Valley, scoring three goals and adding an assist in his first two games. Prior to this, he hadn’t played since Dec. 28.
The Utah Hockey Club is implementing a creative initiative to attract more fans to their games, which reminds me of my 2020 pitch for an innovative program to increase attendance at Kraken games. As the saying goes, “The best time to plant a tree was 25 years ago. The second-best time is today.” Dear Kraken, again….please steal this idea!
Jacob Melanson played his first game since early November for Coachella Valley on Sunday after being sidelined with a long-term injury. A fifth-round pick in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft, Melanson had a strong start to the season, scoring three goals in his first seven games. Earlier in the campaign, there was speculation that he could be one of the first forward call-ups, but the injury set him back. Known for his physicality, Melanson brings an edge to his game that could be a valuable asset for the Kraken when he’s ready to make the jump.
If you are looking for reasons to be optimistic about the future, listen to the latest episode of the Sound Of Hockey Podcast where we chatted with Seattle Kraken director of player development, Jeff Tambellini.
Berkly Catton (SPO/SEA): The Kraken’s first-round pick in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft had an incredible performance on Saturday, racking up seven points in a single game against the Wenatchee Wild.
Lleyton Roed (CVF/SEA): The undrafted free agent signed by the Kraken last spring continues to impress, tallying two goals and three assists in two games over the weekend. Roed now has 11 points in his last 10 games.
Carson Rehkopf (BRA/SEA): Since returning from the World Juniors, Rehkopf has been on fire, recording six points in just three games.
The Kraken will snap out of this funk eventually, but the road ahead doesn’t get much easier. They’ll face a desperate Pittsburgh Penguins team on Tuesday, followed by a tough matchup against the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday to close out the road trip. After that, the Kraken return to Climate Pledge Arena on Saturday to take on the Los Angeles Kings.
While I’m still rooting for wins, what I’d most like to see this week is consistency throughout the games—even if the results don’t go the Kraken’s way.
On a positive note, I’m excited to see the continued progress of Shane Wright, Matty Beniers, and Kaapo Kakko. All three have been playing some of their best hockey of the season, and they look poised to become key parts of the future core of this franchise.
Welcome back to “Down on the Farm,” your weekly Sound Of Hockey Podcast segment highlighting Seattle Kraken prospects in written form. We will be returning to our normal Friday time slot next week (hopefully). This week we present a tremendous interview with Kraken director of player development Jeff Tambellini, via the Sound Of Hockey Podcast. We’ll also get you notes on a junior trade, a suspension, and more, plus deliver all of the data you can handle.
As always, if you have a prospect-related question you’d like to see featured in a future column, drop us a note below or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @deepseahockey or @sound_hockey or on Bluesky @deepseahockey or @soundofhockey.com. Let’s dive in.
Talking Kraken prospects with Jeff Tambellini
Earlier this week, we had the opportunity to talk with Tambellini about all things Kraken prospects. We started with a recap the World Junior Championship, highlighting, among others, the performance of Eduard Sale, whom Tambellini noted is playing his best hockey right now.
Later in the interview, we discussed two players who are a bit “hidden” from Kraken fans because they play in Europe.
The first was 2023 second-round pick Oscar Fisker Mølgaard, who Tambellini characterized as a top two-way center on his SHL team with first-unit power-play and penalty-kill responsibilities. Speaking to his development at a young age, Tambellini mentioned that Mølgaard, 19, had the opportunity to come play in the AHL this year, but opted to remain in Europe for one more season. The team expects to see him stateside and playing with the Firebirds next season. Mølgaard remains atop our Sound Of Hockey “data score” metric, and we can’t wait to get a closer look at him in Coachella Valley next year.
The other prospect called out by Tambellini was goaltender Semyon Vyazovoy. Vyazovoy, a 2021 sixth-round pick, is currently working in a goalie tandem for Salavat Yulaev Ufa in the KHL, Russia’s top professional league. Despite his young age, he has found significant success there. As we noted last week, Vyazovoy, 21, is first in the KHL in save percentage among all goalies under age 24 with more than 10 appearances.
Vyazovoy has not yet signed a contract with Seattle, but over the summer, general manager Ron Francis indicated that the Kraken remained in contact with Vyazovoy’s agent about coming to North America. Tambellini’s obvious enthusiasm for the player suggests that Seattle’s interest in signing the Russian goalie prospect remains strong.
There was so much more in the conversation too. As we talked, Tambellini delivered insights you won’t get anywhere else on more than a dozen players in the system. If there’s a player you want an update about, chances are we discussed that player at length, so give the interview a listen. Big thanks to Tambellini for making time in his busy schedule to talk with us.
Notes on three more Kraken prospects
Tyson Jugnauth – Portland Winterhawks – WHL
It’s not an exaggeration to say defenseman Tyson Jugnauth, 20, is on the verge of traversing one of the most unique development paths in NHL prospect history. In his draft year, Jugnauth played in the BCHL, which (at the time) preserved his NCAA eligibility to play for the Wisconsin Badgers.
After a year-and-a-half in the NCAA ranks, Jugnauth moved to the WHL, where he has excelled as an offensive presence for the Portland Winterhawks. Now, as his WHL age eligibility lapses at season’s end, he is committed to return to college hockey for the 2025-26 season, this time with the Michigan State Spartans.
If Jugnauth ultimately enrolls at Michigan State (and is not signed by the Kraken first), he will be among the first players ever to move from the NCAA to the CHL and back the NCAA again. The latter move is only just now possible after the NCAA changed its eligibility rules to allow CHL players to play college hockey.
In the Sound Of Hockey Podcastinterview, Tambellini noted that the full implications of the NCAA’s decision remain to be determined, with a key factor being the NHL and NHLPA’s approach to draft rights retention under the new CBA. That said, Tambellini hinted that we could see a future where top prospects move from the CHL to college before moving into the professional ranks in the AHL and eventually the NHL.
As for the present with Jugnauth, he had a big week, compiling two goals and three assists in two WHL contests. He’s our Sound Of Hockey Prospect of the Week. I plan to dig deeper on Jugnauth’s play for the Winterhawks in a forthcoming column.
Carson Rehkopf – Brampton Steelheads – OHL
There is little doubt that Carson Rehkopf is among the most talented Canadian-born offensive players in his age group. For the second year in a row he finds himself at or near the top of the OHL scoring charts. Even so, as we discussed last time, Team Canada couldn’t find a regular role for him in the lineup at the 2025 World Juniors.
Tambellini found a silver lining, telling Sound Of Hockey that Rehkopf could use the experience as motivation to continue developing secondary skills that he will need to earn a coach’s trust at the professional level. Rehkopf’s fire is certainly burning bright right now with three goals and an assist in two games since his return to Brampton’s lineup.
In contrast with Rehkopf, Caden Price had an excellent 2025 World Juniors and is looking to maintain this momentum over the second half of the WHL season. As it turns out, those remaining games will come for the Lethbridge Hurricanes rather than the Kelowna Rockets after Kelowna traded Price in a classic WHL deadline deal involving a small mountain of draft assets.
In a unique peek behind the curtain, Tambellini told us that Kelowna was inclined to keep Price if there was a possibility Seattle would allow Price to return to the WHL for his age 20 season. After Seattle told Kelowna the current plan was to have Price in Coachella Valley next season, Kelowna decided to move the blueliner.
Price got into his first game for Lethbridge Friday night.
Bad Boys (OHL Edition)
What is this, a segment within a segment? Kraken prospect Nathan Villeneuve, who turned heads in the NHL preseason, was suspended for two OHL games as result of taking his third fighting major in Sudbury’s game against Peterborough last Sunday. A two-game suspension is mandatory in these circumstances.
Villeneuve has demonstrated in flashes that he can play with the necessary skill and sandpaper to succeed as a professional, but the challenge ahead of him will be harnessing his skills and temperament in the correct ways.
Sudbury's Nathan Villeneuve has been assessed an automatic two-game suspension as a result of actions (exceeding fighting major threshold) on Jan. 5th vs. Peterborough.
Kraken forward prospect Jani Nyman’s hard and accurate shot is finding the back of the net with increased regularity in recent weeks. He tallied four goals in four games since our last update. (Author’s note: The data in the post only goes through Friday, so it doesn’t capture this notable performance from Berkly Catton, among others.)
As of Friday, Jugnauth was tied for the organizational lead in scoring, an impressive feat for a defenseman.
Goalie Kim Saarinen, 18, sat on the sidelines at the 2025 World Juniors, so we are looking forward to seeing him get back in net regularly for his Finnish club team this week. While not technically covered by the update below (which went through Friday), he stopped 29 of 30 shots in his first U20 game back on Saturday.
Vyazovoy’s usage has ticked back up in recent weeks, a trend we like to see.
2024-25 Sound Of Hockey Prospect of the Week tracker
Clarke Caswell: 2
Berkly Catton: 2
Tyson Jugnauth: 2
Alexis Bernier: 1
Andrei Loshko: 1
Oscar Fisker Mølgaard: 1
Victor Östman: 1
Caden Price: 1
Nathan Villeneuve: 1
Semyon Vyazovoy: 1
Previewing the week ahead
The week ahead (which we are, admittedly, a day late in previewing) will see a number of WHL matchups between Kraken prospects and the Firebirds back with a full slate after a holiday break.
Curtis is a Sound Of Hockey contributor and member of the Kraken press corps. Curtis is an attorney by day, and he has read the NHL collective bargaining agreement and bylaws so you don’t have to. He can be found analyzing the Kraken, NHL Draft, and other hockey topics on Twitter and Bluesky @deepseahockey.
Never a doubt! I never stopped believing in this Seattle Kraken team!
Well… I guess the first period Saturday made me question things a little. And the nine losses in the previous 11 games and the four-game losing streak coming into this one didn’t help.
In those opening 20 minutes Saturday, the Kraken looked like they’ve tended to look over the past month, laying a massive egg and accepting a two-goal deficit before waking up and scoring six unanswered goals for a 6-2 win over the Sabres.
“How we played in the second, how we played in the third is—yes, we got the result,” coach Dan Bylsma said. “But that’s how you have to play each and every night to try to have success.”
Kaapo Kakko scored twice, Oliver Bjorkstrand had a goal and a fight (!!), and Joey Daccord made 34 saves in his first start since Dec. 22.
It’s a small step in the right direction, but it’s nice to be writing about a victory for a change. Here are Three Takeaways from a 6-2 Kraken win over the Sabres.
Takeaway #1: An atrocious first period
You know how I said I never stopped believing in the Kraken? That may have been a fib. The team has looked shockingly bad lately, and the opening frame Saturday—in which they were outshot 15-3 before throwing a few at Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen late in the frame to close that gap—was about as bad as the Kraken have looked in an already horrendous stretch.
How they continue to come out with no energy when they recognize that they’re fighting for their lives is beyond me, but that is what has been happening. In this one, they had NOTHING going in a period that rivaled the second period of the last game against Columbus as one of the worst of the season.
By the time the horn sounded, Seattle was looking at yet another two-goal deficit thanks to a hard-luck deflection of a Sam Lafferty shot off Vince Dunn and an easy power-play tally by Jack Quinn.
“Dan obviously made it pretty clear [the first] wasn’t good enough, which I think everybody could agree with,” Bjorkstrand said. “So, we had to find another step in our game, and I think we responded well. And we’ve got to play hockey like that more often.”
The Kraken came out in the second period and looked far more engaged, riding goals from Ryker Evans and Andre Burakovsky to erase the miserable first period and set themselves up to pull away in the third.
Oh, to have been a fly on the wall between the first and second periods.
Takeaway #2: Strong individual performances
Several players stuck out in helping turn this game around. Andre Burakovsky scored a huge goal and had a few more good looks, including a nice burst of speed that led to a partial breakaway. Joey Daccord was rock solid with a .943 save percentage. Matty Beniers didn’t have a point but was plus-two and helped put the Sabres on their heels several times. Oliver Bjorkstrand had a goal and a fight (yes, a fight) against Dennis Gilbert that did seem to inject a little more life into the squad.
Bylsma specifically called out Burakovsky’s game. “I think Andre [made] a lot of strong plays. You see him skating up the ice, he’s a dangerous player, but a lot of good puck plays as well.”
And how can we forget Kaapo Kakko? The big winger has continued to impress since his pre-Christmas acquisition from the Rangers. In this game, he scored two consecutive goals, 1:40 apart in the third period. His first goal of the game was also Seattle’s second tally in 38 seconds and put the Kraken firmly in the driver’s seat for the first time in five contests.
Josh Mahura (who also had an awesome game with two assists) passed it to Kakko and then drove to the net. Kakko did the rest, rifling it over Luukkonen’s shoulder.
Kakko followed that up with a power-play goal at 3:46 of the third after a nice forecheck by Jared McCann and Shane Wright. Wright pried the puck loose to McCann, McCann found Kakko at the bottom of the slot for one of his two assists, and in a flash, the puck was once again in the back of the Sabres’ net.
KAAPO DOES IT AGAIN! 🚨
Two straight goals for Kakko, this one a PPG, and suddenly the #SeaKraken are running away with this game. 🤯
There were two moments of extracurricular activities in this game that one could point to as helping to turn the tide.
First, Oliver Bjorkstrand laid a big hit on gritty defenseman Dennis Gilbert. Gilbert went awkwardly into the boards and didn’t like it, popping up and giving Bjorkstrand no choice but to drop the gloves for the third time in his career. Bjorkstrand did well to keep Gilbert in close and protect himself from the far more experienced pugilist.
“A guy like Oliver Bjorkstrand getting in a fisticuffs, he did it obviously in response to the play there, but him being physical on the wall and then responding [is big],” Bylsma said. “But I think we tiptoed into the game a little bit, and I think when you see Oliver Bjorkstrand… do the physicality and get in the fight, it jumpstarts the team a little bit.”
“I just reacted,” Bjorkstrand said. “In the moment, I felt like it. It’s just kind of pretty simple. Not much to it.”
That incident happened at 17:42 of the first period, mere seconds after Seattle had fallen behind 2-0. The Kraken had a little flurry of shots to close out the period, then came out in the second and looked completely different.
The other moment of feistiness that seemed to lift Seattle’s effort level happened when Rasmus Dahlin tried to decapitate Brandon Tanev at 5:24 of the second period. Everyone on the ice jumped in immediately, showing the kind of physical response that has lacked at times from this team in its four-year history.
Rasmus Dahlin tries to take Brandon Tanev’s head off, and all hell breaks loose.
After that, the game did turn on its ear, with Ryker Evans getting Seattle on the board at 12:48 of the second and Andre Burakovsky leveling the score at 19:12. Did those two moments really turn the game?
The win is just a drop in the bucket in terms of getting the Kraken back in the race, but it’s good to have a positive feeling once in a while. They face a tough test in Detroit on Sunday.
Darren Brown
Darren Brown is the Chief Content Officer at soundofhockey.com and the host of the Sound Of Hockey Podcast. He is a member of the PHWA and is also usually SOH’s Twitter intern (but please pretend you don’t know that). Follow him @DarrenFunBrown and @sound_hockey or email darren@soundofhockey.com.
Over the holidays, I watched the IIHF World Junior Championship (Go Team USA!) and attended a PWHL Takeover game in Seattle between the Boston Fleet and Montreal Victoire. Both events provided an opportunity to watch overtime and shootout hockey.
One of the biggest upsets in the World Juniors was Latvia’s win over Canada in an eight-round shootout. If you haven’t watched it, it’s an impressive display of goaltending dominance, with only one goal scored in 16 shootout attempts. Another great shootout came in Czechia’s bronze medal win over Sweden. The Kraken’s 2023 first-round draft pick, Eduard Šalé, clinched the win in the 14th round, the longest shootout in IIHF history. The full PWHL game is on YouTube as well.
Looking at the standings after these games, I noticed that both the IIHF and PWHL use a three-point standings model, which differs from the NHL’s two-point model. This got me thinking: is one system better than the other, or could they be improved further—perhaps with a five-point model? Let’s review the basics of each standings point model.
NHL two-point model
Most fans are familiar with this model, as the NHL has used it since the “loser” point was introduced in the 1999-2000 season. The system is straightforward:
2 points for any win (regulation, OT, or SO).
1 point for a loss in OT or SO.
0 points for a regulation loss.
Why a loser point?
Before the shootout was introduced in 2005, NHL games could end in a tie, with each team receiving one point. This often led to conservative play in OT, as teams aimed to preserve their single point. To address this, the NHL began awarding one point to any team that reached OT, with an additional point for the game’s winner. The oddity of this system is that regulation wins award two points, while games that go to OT award three points in total (two to the winner, one to the loser).
IIHF/PWHL three-point model
Both the IIHF and PWHL use a model that ensures an equal number of points are awarded in every game. The breakdown is as follows:
3 points for a regulation win.
2 points for an OT/SO win.
1 point for an OT/SO loss.
0 points for a regulation loss.
This system places greater emphasis on regulation wins while still rewarding teams that push games into OT or a shootout.
Overtime format
The NHL, IIHF, and PWHL all use a five-minute OT period played at 3-on-3 to open up the ice and increase scoring chances. However, 3-on-3 hockey is rare during regulation play. While it may offer some thrills, the frantic chaos of overtime has a certain charm that feels more like a skills competition than actual hockey. This is why the NHL playoffs stick to 5-on-5 hockey for OT, continuing until a goal is scored. Playoff hockey, in my opinion, is the best in all of sports. Since the NHL values 5-on-5 play in the playoffs, it would be good to prioritize it in the standings model as well.
Five-point model
As I thought about the three-point model, I wondered if it could be improved. By keeping the total points awarded per game consistent, I developed a five-point model:
5 points for a regulation win.
4 points for an OT win.
3 points for a SO win.
2 points for a SO loss.
1 point for an OT loss.
0 points for a regulation loss.
This tiered approach rewards regulation wins the most, followed by OT wins, and finally shootout wins, while still giving some credit to teams that push games into OT or shootout.
Applying the models
I tested these models on NHL standings data from the 2021-22, 2022-23, and 2023-24 seasons. Surprisingly, the same 16 teams made the playoffs in all three models and across all three seasons, though some playoff seedings shifted, potentially altering first-round matchups and possibly rewriting history. Here are the highlights:
2021-22 season
Bolded items are teams for which standing positions differed from the two-point model.
Under the three-point model, Nashville and Dallas swapped wild-card positions in the Western Conference. While both Nashville and Dallas lost in the first round, the three-point model altered the Central Division standings by elevating St. Louis to second place over Minnesota. St. Louis’ stronger record in regulation wins (43 to Minnesota’s 37) supports this ranking.
The five-point model produced similar standings as the two-point model but narrowed the gap between Minnesota and St. Louis to one regulation win, highlighting the increased value of regulation victories.
2022-23 season
Bolded items are teams for which standing positions differed from the two-point model.
The three-point and two-point models produced identical standings in 2022-23, but the five-point model created some shifts. In the Eastern Conference, New Jersey claimed the top spot in the Metropolitan Division, dropping Carolina to second. This adjustment feels accurate, as New Jersey had more OT wins (11 to Carolina’s nine).
In the Western Conference, the Pacific Division saw a reshuffling: Edmonton (1st), Vegas (2nd), Seattle (3rd), and Los Angeles (WC-1). A Vegas-Seattle matchup in the first round would have generated significant hype, though it’s hard to trade away the Kraken’s first-ever playoff victory over Colorado.
2023-24 season
Bolded items are teams that standing positions differed from the two-point model
The three-point and five-point models elevated Winnipeg to the top spot in the Central Division in 2023-24, pushing Dallas to second. Winnipeg’s league-high 46 regulation wins contrasted with Dallas’ 21 OT appearances, suggesting the three- and five-point models better reflected team performance.
Conclusion
Is one model better than the others? Personally, the three-point model used by the IIHF and PWHL seems the most accurate and would be a minor improvement over the NHL’s two-point system. The shifts in playoff standings are minimal, but the three-point model’s consistency (equal points per game) provides a more accurate points percentage. For an example, consider a 10-game series where every game ends in OT wins for one team. The two-point model produces an inflated points percentage of 150 percent, while the three-point model delivers a more logical 100 percent, mirroring the fixed points allocation.
Worth noting, the upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off tournament, which is hosted by the NHL (not the IIHF) will feature the three-point model during the round robin portion of the tournament. So, the NHL may actually be considering such a shift for the future.
If you are interested in looking at the expanded set of all the standings, they are available in Google Sheets here: NHL Standings Models.
What do you think about standings point models? Should the NHL adopt the three-point model, or are there other improvements you’d suggest? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!
Blaiz Grubic
Blaiz Grubic is a contributor at Sound Of Hockey. A passionate hockey fan and player for over 30 years, Blaiz grew up in the Pacific Northwest and is an alumni of Washington State University (Go Cougs!). When he’s not playing, watching, or writing about hockey, he enjoys quality time with his wife and daughter or getting out on a golf course for a quick round. Follow @blaizg on BlueSky or X.
The Spokane Chiefs have been captainless for the last three weeks while Seattle Kraken prospect Berkly Catton has been away with Team Canada at the World Junior Hockey Championship in Ottawa.
In the absence of players attending the tournament, the WHL spotlight has shifted to others further down the depth chart, providing them with more lucrative opportunities to showcase their skills and progression.
One such player making the most of his increased ice time is Mathis Preston, a 16-year-old forward many consider one of the best prospects eligible for the 2026 NHL Draft.
Is it too early to project how high someone will go in a draft two years from now? Maybe. But when a potential future top-five pick is playing in your region almost every night, it’s hard not to take notice.
So, who exactly is Mathis Preston, and why is he already generating so much buzz?
Mathis Preston: A rising star
Selected third overall in the 2023 WHL Prospects Draft, the 5-foot-11, 168-pound Preston is off to an impressive start to his rookie season with the Chiefs. Through 33 games, he’s recorded 12 goals and 16 assists, placing him fourth among all WHL rookies with 28 points.
Over the weekend, Preston had three assists in two games against the Kamloops Blazers. He attributes his strong start to the growth he’s experienced on a game-by-game basis.
“Coming in as a 15-year-old last season, playing in nine regular-season and playoff games with the Chiefs was also a big help for me in getting my toes in the water a bit with the league,” Preston said. “Then coming into this year, and having [new head coach Brad Lauer] join the team, it let me have more freedom in making plays.”
But it’s not just his point production that’s drawing attention—his complete game is turning heads.
A talent with promise
Preston hails from Penticton, B.C., just a short distance from Kelowna and across the border from Omak, Wash. Growing up, he idolized offensively dynamic players like Nikita Kucherov, Brayden Point, and Nathan MacKinnon.
“What an impressive, talented, skilled offensive player,” Button said of Preston. “Lightning-fast hands, lightning-quick mind, offensive instincts off the charts. He reminds me of Joe Sakic.”
Button ranks Preston as the second-best prospect for the 2026 Draft as of now, ranking behind Medicine Hat’s Gavin McKenna, who practically everyone has had as the consensus No. 1 since being granted exceptional status in 2021.
While it may be premature to anoint Preston the next Joe Sakic, there’s no question the tools are there for him to develop into an elite, game-changing player at the professional level.
Always on the move
One of Preston’s standout traits is his high hockey IQ. He’s quick to read the ice, always looking for the next play and finding the best position to capitalize.
Whether skating north-south or in tight areas, Preston is always on the move, making plays with speed and precision.
He has excellent edge work, as shown in a play he made on Saturday where he set up his linemate Coco Armstrong for a goal against Kamloops. Preston’s ability to anticipate and adjust to opponents’ defense is exceptional.
“I think it’s about reading off the other team,” Preston said. “Picking apart their weaknesses and splitting the defensemen to make plays. I read off my teammates too.”
Preston believes that self-assurance is key to his success on the ice, knowing he can be impactful at this level.
“I think confidence is the biggest thing in hockey,” he said. “You can’t play your game without confidence. That’s a big part of my game—just playing with confidence. You always have to think you’re the best player out there. That mindset helps a lot. Playing with good players helps your game and helps everyone around you.”
Room to grow
Like many young players, Preston has room to grow, particularly in terms of consistency. Over his last nine games, he’s fired 34 shots but has only found the back of the net once.
Both Preston and head coach Brad Lauer recognize the need for improvement in this area, particularly as he matures in the WHL and beyond.
“Being 16, it’s not an easy league to be in,” Lauer said. “But he’s a special player. He’s been able to do some creative things, and I think he’s finding his way. He’s starting to understand the team game and the systems we want to play as a group.”
Preston’s play has helped propel the Chiefs to second place in the U.S. Division, just nine points behind the Everett Silvertips for the top spot.
“I think we have to be consistent,” Preston said. “[We need to] bring our best to every single game. It’s unrealistic to say we’re gonna go 68-0, but we need to focus on building good habits and not taking games off.”
Chiefs acquire Andrew Cristall from Kelowna
As if the Chiefs weren’t already dynamic enough with Preston and Catton, they felt they needed a little something extra to finally push them over the hump in the playoffs. So, they did something about it.
With Thursday’s trade deadline looming, the Chiefs announced on Wednesday afternoon the acquisition of Washington Capitals prospect Andrew Cristall from the Kelowna Rockets in exchange for six WHL draft selections, including first-round picks in 2025 and 2027, as well as 2006-born forward Hayden Paupanekis.
Cristall is one of the league’s flashiest players and was one of the last remaining trade pieces to be dealt at this year’s deadline. Selected in the second round of the 2023 draft by the Caps, he’s currently tied for fifth in goals this season with 26 and is only two points behind the league’s top point-getter with 60.
He’ll now join a lineup that already boasts the likes of Catton, in addition to the second-leading goal scorer in the league in forward Shea Van Olm.
Imagining Catton and Cristall on a line is exciting. For Catton specifically, it will be good to see how he does playing with a complementary piece on his side night after night.
“We are very excited to add Andrew to our organization,” Chiefs general manager Matt Bardsley said. “He is a dynamic forward who is a threat to score or create offense every time he is on the ice. His experience in the league, along with 20 games of playoff experience, will be a welcomed addition to our team.”
The Chiefs are slowly closing the gap on the Everett Silvertips and will face them this Friday at Angel of the Winds Arena—a prime opportunity for Spokane, with Catton and Cristall both likely drawing in, to gauge where they stand in the division race.
“When you play top teams like that, it’s a good benchmark for us,” Lauer said. “As a coach, you like to see where you’re at playing against top teams. It’ll give us a good idea of where our group is.”
Header photo by Larry Brunt, courtesy of the Spokane Chiefs.
