Seattle SPORTs Now

In a year that saw its share of downers for the Seattle Kraken, the home team finished 2024 on top with a 5-2 victory over the Utah Hockey Club last night at Climate Pledge Arena. Jaden Schwartz, who recorded his 499 th and 500 th points with two third period goals against Vancouver, was the number-one star as he recorded the game winner in the third after two first period assists. After ending a six-game losing streak against the Canucks, the Kraken came out hitting and shooting, two aspects of their game that were frustratingly missing during the losing streak. In post-game interviews, Schwartz intimated that Seattle had a shoot-first mentality. ``You could see at times tonight, there were a lot of rebounds,’’ said Schwartz. `` It just creates offensive zone time a lot. Even if you don’t score, you still get them running around a little bit. We’ve been getting bodies around there and getting some second chances…that’s how you score.” ``Starting the game, you saw that mindse...

The Seattle Kraken acquired Kaapo Kakko today from the New York Rangers today in exchange for defenseman Will Borgen and a third round and sixth round pick in the upcoming NHL amateur draft. As often happens, Seattle fans were sorry to see Borgen go. An original Kraken, one of the more physical players on the team, a fan favorite, and Matty Beniers roommate. To say that New York fans feel the same way about Kakko would be an understatement. Ranger Nation has universally panned the deal of social media and coupled with the trading of captain Jacob Trouba last week, fans are calling for the scalp of Ranger GM Chris Drury. However, the most interesting aspect of this trade is that Kakko was a particular favorite of longtime New York sports fan and star of TV’s  Curb Your Enthusiasm,  Larry David. The iconoclastic comedian appeared on Michael Kay’s ESPN radio show a couple of years ago berating then Rangers’ coach David Quinn for benching Kakko. (on a personal note, this writer co...

A funny thing happened to the Seattle Kraken on their way to a sixth consecutive loss to the Vancouver Canucks yesterday afternoon at Rogers Arena. Trailing 4-1 with six minutes remaining in the contest, the Kraken tied the game with 50 seconds remaining and won the five-minute overtime session on Vince Dunn’s breakaway goal. Dunn and Jaden Schwartz led the biggest comeback in the Kraken’s 3 ½ year history, scoring the final four goals- two apiece. The Kraken avoided a team-tying sixth consecutive loss (the team had two six-game losing streaks in its maiden season, 2021-22) and overcame a three-goal deficit to win a game for the first time in team history. Only two other teams in NHL history – the San Jose Sharks (Oct. 28, 2024) and the Montreal Canadians (March 25, 2014) have won a game trailing by three with five minutes left. In their initial season, the Kraken overcame a three-goal deficit to the Columbus Blue Jackets but lost in overtime, ``We’ve dug a few holes for oursel...

  If any team could use a holiday break, it’s the Seattle Kraken. Last night, the Kraken dropped a 5-2 decision to the Colorado Avalanche at Ball Arena, the team’s fifth consecutive loss. On Saturday, Seattle was on the short end of a 6-2 decision to the Vegas Golden Knights. The Kraken (15-19-2) now have a week to regroup and hopefully recharge as the NHL takes a week off. Seattle even gets a few extra days off as their next contest will be Dec. 28. Several teams have games on the 23 rd and 27 th . Seattle did show more energy and played a more physical game against the Avalanche (the team the Kraken knocked out of the playoffs in 2023) but the   Kraken were still only able to generate 23 shots on Colorado netminder Mackenzie Blackwood. Another bright spot for the Kraken was the play of Kaapo Kakko, acquired earlier in the week in a trade with the New York Rangers. Kakko’s first goal was a highlight reel score. Matty Beniers won the faceoff and Kakko shot the drop pass...

The big news going into last night’s game between the Seattle Kraken and the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center was the Kraken’s acquisition of Kaapo Kakko, a former second overall selection in the NHL draft. The Kraken hoped that Kakko, acquired from the New York Rangers for defenseman Will Borgen and two draft choices, would help jump start the Seattle offense. But for one night at least, a new acquisition didn’t provide a spark as the Kraken were defeated by the suddenly resurgent Blackhawks, 3-1. Chicago has now won three consecutive games (12-19-2), while the Kraken are headed into the opposite direction, losing three straight (15-17-2 overall). Seattle was almost shutout for the second consecutive game, but defenseman Ryker Evans drove to the net and scored off a pass from forward Oliver Bjorkstrand with nine minutes left in the game. That cut the Chicago lead to 2-1, but rookie Nolan Allan’s first NHL goal at 15:11 of the third period wrapped things up for the Hawks. ...

The Seattle Kraken acquired Kaapo Kakko today from the New York Rangers today in exchange for defenseman Will Borgen and a third round and sixth round pick in the upcoming NHL amateur draft. As often happens, Seattle fans were sorry to see Borgen go. An original Kraken, one of the more physical players on the team, a fan favorite, and Matty Beniers roommate. To say that New York fans feel the same way about Kakko would be an understatement. Ranger Nation has universally panned the deal of social media and coupled with the trading of captain Jacob Trouba last week, fans are calling for the scalp of Ranger GM Chris Drury. However, the most interesting aspect of this trade is that Kakko was a particular favorite of longtime New York sports fan and star of TV’s Curb Your Enthusiasm, Larry David. The iconoclastic comedian appeared on Michael Kay’s ESPN radio show a couple of years ago berating then Rangers’ coach David Quinn for benching Kakko. (on a personal note, this writer cover...

  Playing their last home game before Christmas, Seattle Kraken fans were in the holiday spirit. The twin scoreboards even featured a video of Kraken players attempting to sing holiday songs. However, Ebenezer Scrooge showed up at Climate Pledge Arena last night in the form of Ottawa Senator goalkeeper Linus Ulmark. The Swedish netminder turned aside 30 shots as the Senators posted a 3-0 victory. On Nov. 2, the Senators other goalkeeper Anton Forsborg blanked the Kraken 2-0. Bah, humbug. ``I think we’ve got to look at ourselves in the mirror,” said Kraken defenseman Brandon Montour said. ``I don’t know how many times we’ve been shutout(five times in fact), but we’ve played less than 35 games, and with the skill that we’ve got on this team.” “Obviously, you’re going to have some times when things don’t go your way, but it’s too easy for these goalies,” said Montour. ``Again, we had some looks. But the shots don’t matter if the goalie sees them all the time.” To be fair, Ulma...