Kraken’s new and old blend for two wins

The Edmonton Oilers and the Calgary Flames didn’t bring their big guns to their pre-season games with the Seattle Kraken at Climate Pledge Arena but the Kraken had plenty to feel good about after posting two 3-0 victories.

Of course, the exhibition season isn’t about wins and losses as much as players battling to earn a spot on the opening day roster. That’s especially true with a team like the Kraken who boasts new players from other teams, several young prospects, and key players coming back from injuries.

Here’s a look at some of the standouts in the first two exhibitions of Season 2.

GAME ONE

The Kraken’s first two goals had a Boston flavor. Last season’s rookie sensation, Matty Beniers, recorded the first goal of the season at 2:12 of the second period. Another Bostonian, Joey Daccord replaced free-agent signee Martin Jones between the pipes with eight minutes remaining in the second period. Surprisingly, Daccord also contributed to the Kraken offense. After making a stick save, Daccord alertly sent a lead pass to teammate Ryan Donato. The son of a former Boston Bruin and an attendee of Harvard, Donato took the puck at his own blue line, skated in  and fired home a shot for a 2-0 lead. Jones, who won a Stanley Cup with the Los Angeles Kings in 2014, had nine saves in the contest and Daccord added 11.

Brandon Tanev, probably the most popular Kraken player with the fans, went down with a major knee injury in January of 2022. He suited up for the opener and made a nifty play to set up the third Seattle goal. While killing off a five-minute elbowing penalty to Jacob Melanson, Tanev was checked along the boards by two Edmonton defenders. He tapped the puck ahead and then outhustled the Oiler players to the disc (basically making a pass to himself.). He then hit a streaking Morgan Geekie on the left wing, who beat Edmonton goalie Ryan Fanti.

“It’s been a long year, but it’s nice to be back,” said Tanev. “It’s a long process, but I have a good support staff. We just grinded down to get ready for the season.”

The contest also marked the debut of several new acquisitions. Left-wing Andre Burakovsky was signed as a free agent from the Stanley Cup champion Colorado Avalanche (he scored an overtime goal in the finals) and the Kraken picked up right wing Oliver Bjorkstrand in a trade with the Columbus Blue Jackets. Both are expected to provide more scoring punch which was often lacking a year ago. Justin Schulz and Michael Kempny were two free-agent defensemen signed from the Washington Capitals. They were a solid pairing in the opener.

• Mariners complete strong road trip but Matt Brash causes concern
• Key Takeaways from Seattle Storm’s Thrilling Preseason Match
• FIFA Empowers Afghan Women Footballers with Historic Regulation Change
• Seahawks 2026 Draft: Analysis of Key Picks and Strategies
• Key Stats from Seattle Storm vs Golden State Valkyries Preseason Clash

GAME TWO

Last night marked the much-anticipated debut of the Kraken’s 2022 number-one draft pick Shane Wright. Wright was the fourth overall pick in the amateur draft, although many prognosticators had him ranked as the number-one overall player.

“The game is faster up here but it settled down,” said Wright. “I’m lucky to play with two veterans like Eb (Jordan Eberle) and Schwartzy (Jaden Schwartz).”

Wright didn’t figure in the scoring, but he played on the power play and had two shots on goal. Commentator Ed Olczyk, also joining the Kraken this year, liked the way Wright shot low on the power play as a high shot is easier for the defense to clear out of the zone. “Wright played a solid, simple game,” said Kraken coach Dave Hakstol.

Darren Sprong, acquired from Washington at the trade deadline a year ago, opened the scoring in the second period, when he fired home a blistering slap shot at 12:30. Seattle made it 2-0 with their second shorthanded goal in as many nights. Schwartz, returning from two injuries that kept him sidelined for much of the second half of the season, tallied the goal on a nice give-and-go with Jared McCann, the Kraken’s leading scorer last season.

Andrew Poguralski put a bow on the victory with an empty-net goal in the final minute. Signed as a free agent from the American Hockey League Chicago Wolves, Poguralski has been the AHL’s leading scorer the past two seasons.

Philip Grubauer, the Kraken’s number-one goalie in their maiden season, had 10 saves playing half the game while 6’5 Marcus Hellberg added 15 saves as the Kraken posted shutouts in their first two games.

While pleased with the victories Hakstol noted, “we’re just scratching the surface. I could give you a laundry list of things we still want to work onn before the start of the season.”

Seattle travels to Vancouver, Thursday night, and then the Kraken and the Canucks square off at Climate Pledge on Saturday. The regular season begins Oct. 12 on the road against the Anaheim Ducks. The home opener takes place on Oct. 15 when the Kraken host the Vegas Golden Knights.