A look to Kraken future

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The Seattle Kraken won’t make the National Hockey League playoffs this season but will have the opportunity to finish their home season on a high note.

The Kraken play their final home tilt tomorrow night at Climate Pledge Arena when they host the lowly San Jose Sharks. Seattle has had some trouble with the Sharks on the road but usually seem to score a plethora of goals against SJ on home ice.

Seattle (33-31-15) blanked the Arizona Coyotes (33-40-5) last night, 5-0, in its penultimate home game. Five different Kraken players lit the lamp- all five having fewer than ten goals this season- but Philipp Grubauer was the undisputed number-one star with 39 stops in the Kraken net.

With a look towards next season, the Kraken had four rookies in the lineup – forwards Shane Wright, Ryan Winterton and Logan Morrison and defenseman Ryker Evans.

Wright, who’s lately shown flashes as to why he was a valuable property coming out of junior hockey- scored his fourth goal of the campaign (most of which he’s spent with the Coachella Valley Firebirds, the Kraken’s American Hockey League affiliate), fourth in four games, and third game-winner.

Wright opened the scoring 1:08 into the contest on a shot that went off the glove of Arizona goalkeeper Karel Vejmelka, who didn’t have the strongest of games in the Coyote net. Unlike his brief previous stints with the Kraken, Wright’s been placed on a line with veterans Jordan Eberle and Justin Schultz.

“Huge compliments to Shane and the way he’s continued to elevate his game,” said Kraken coach Dave Hakstol. “He’s obviously done a lot of work (in Coachella Valley). His confidence and his overall play have taken a nice step.”

Ryker Evans has been with the Kraken the longest of the Coachella callups. He’s the second player ever selected by the Kraken in the amateur draft, behind Matty Beniers in 2021. He’s also a player the Kraken haven’t rushed to the NHL. Conventional wisdom states that defenseman take a little longer to mature than forwards (unless they’re Bobby Orr).

Evans has one goal, seven assists, and a -7 in 31 games with the Kraken. Last season, he played in the AHL All-Star game and was on the season-ending AHL All-Rookie team.

“He’s certainly showed us that he’s capable of playing at this level,” said Kraken general manager Ron Francis, in an interview on the Kraken web site. “And that’s a bright spot in our future in the organization for sure.”

Winterton and Morrison have yet to record an NHL point – they played last night on a line with Tye Kartye, who made his NHL debut in last year’s playoffs. Winterton had a `cup of coffee’ with the Kraken earlier this season, while Morrison made his NHL debut against Anaheim, Mar. 26. Winterton had 21 goals and 12 assists in 55 games at Coachella, while Morrison was 15-25-40 in 60 games.

The duo first played together with Hamilton in the Ontario Junior League. ``I’ve known Ryan since I was 17 and it’s really special to play in my first NHL game with him on the wing,” said Morrison.

Winterton was a third-round pick by the Kraken in 2021, while Morrison was an undrafted free agent. Ironically, he played against his former Hamilton linemate in his first NHL game, Anaheim’s Mason McTavish.

“I was really excited about playing in my first NHL game,” said Morrison whose parents were in attendance at the game, “and it exceeded expectations.”

Morrison and Winterton will have one more opportunity to get into the scoring column in front of the Seattle faithful tomorrow night. The team should also be announcing this season’s award winners- Most Valuable Player and community service award.

 

Scoring Summary

First Period

S- Shane Wright 4 (Jordan Eberle, 26 Jaden Schwartz 17) 1:08.  S- Andre Burakovsky 7 (Matty Beniers 21, Justin Schultz 18) PPG 2:14

Second Period

S- Justin Schultz 7 (Oliver Bjorkstrand 36, Matty Beniers 22) 4:29.

Third Period

S- Brandon Tanev 7 (Yanni Gourde 21, Tye Kartye 9) 6:38. S- Will Borgen 3 (Jamie Oleksiak 12, Oliver Bjorkstrand 37) 9:35.

Shots on Goal- Arizona 39, Seattle 25.

Penalty Minutes- Arizona 8, Seattle 4.

Faceoffs- Arizona 44.3%. Seattle 55.7%.

Referees- Frederic L’Ecuyer, Morgan MacPhee. Linesmen- Trent Knorr, Shandor Alphonso.

Three Stars- 1. Philipp Grubauer 2. Shane Wright 3. Justin Schultz.

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