CAMP BLOG | Kraken Roster Taking Shape Ahead of Tuesday's Opener

Oct 6, 6:10 p.m. | Kraken Roster Taking Shape Ahead of Tuesday's Opener

The Kraken’s opening day roster solidified once more on Sunday when the team shipped forwards Ryan Winterton and John Hayden to AHL Coachella Valley while keeping defenseman Josh Mahura in the fold.

Hayden and Mahura both cleared waivers Sunday morning, leaving them eligible to be reassigned to the AHL. That’s what the Kraken did with Hayden, but they chose not to do so right away with Mahura.

In Winterton’s case, as a young player with limited NHL experience, he is still waivers-exempt all season and can be sent to the AHL and recalled as often as the Kraken want without having to risk him being claimed by another team.

Not so with Mahura, 26, a free-agent pickup from the Florida Panthers the Kraken are likely to keep as a seventh defenseman to begin the regular season but could also reassign to the AHL in the coming weeks if needed. By putting Mahura through waivers now – rather than in weeks ahead – the Kraken hoped to minimize the likelihood he’d be claimed, given teams are in the process of finalizing rosters and have minimal salary cap space to accommodate any new players.

The Kraken now have 30 days from the point of Monday’s 2 p.m. PT deadline for finalizing rosters to reassign Mahura to the AHL or else he’d have to clear waivers again. He’d also have to go through waivers if he appears in at least 10 NHL games before the 30-day period is up.

But having Mahura now waivers-exempt for the next month gives the Kraken added roster flexibility in the event of an early injury to a forward. In that case, they could send surplus defender Mahura down to the AHL and replace him with a forward recalled from Coachella Valley.

The Kraken spent about as close to the salary cap limit as possible in bringing in free agents Brandon Montour and Chandler Stephenson while signing contract extensions on Matty Beniers, Adam Larsson and Eeli Tolvanen.

Remaining just under the salary cap limit of $88 million means the Kraken will likely open the season with a roster of 21 players instead of the NHL maximum of 23. But carrying two fewer players than allowable as reservists also means the Kraken need waivers-exempt players that can shuttle back and forth between Seattle and Coachella Valley depending on positional need.

So, in addition to Winterton being movable at any time, they now have the flexibility to recall defenseman Cale Fleury – who cleared on Saturday – as well as forward Hayden from the AHL without having to put them through the waiver process again right away. And they’ll have the ability to send defender Mahura down to the AHL without going through waivers again for at least the next month.

The only current Kraken players still on the roster who are waivers-exempt all season due to their young age and lack of NHL experience are forward Shane Wright and defenseman Ryker Evans. In a roster pinch, the team could also shift them to the AHL and recall them at any point without the risk of losing them to a claim.

Oct 1, 4:24 p.m. | Bylsma Talks Dunn Debut, Roster Cuts, Eduard Sale

Kraken coach Dan Bylsma got his first glimpse of defenseman Vince Dunn in action this preseason during Monday’s overtime loss in Calgary. Bylsma was impressed and encouraged.

“Just by the way he played, it's evident we need him,” said Bylsma about the decision to ease Dunn back into the lineup coming off a neck injury that sidelined him for 19 of the Kraken’s final 21 games last season. “We missed him in our lineup. He's great at the first pass [out of the defensive zone] and competitive in the offensive zone with his puck play and puck execution. He's a fiery and spirited competitor which was evident. Let's keep that going."

When Bylsma joined the Kraken organization three seasons ago, he was an assistant coach with the American Hockey League Charlotte Checkers. That 2021-22 team was a split squad of AHLers and prospects from both the Florida Panthers and the Kraken.

In his first media interview about the Charlotte role, Bylsma noted how all NHL teams will call up AHL players during the course of a season, whether by necessity per injuries or to provide a spark to the big club among other reasons.“We all look at NHL rosters and see the players listed [up to 23 on active rosters],” said Bylsma back in August 2021. “But during the course of a season, the typical NHL rosters run 30, 32, 34 players deep.”While all players want to make the NHL roster coming out of training camps, Bylsma said three years ago and again Tuesday there is significant value in getting the opportunity to play plentiful minutes (15 to 20 minutes, more if on special teams) in the AHL rather than, say, eight to 10 minutes of average ice time during an NHL game.“Going back to my past experience as a player, we all think there is ample opportunity for everyone to play [during an NHL game],” said Bylsma in 2021. “It's just not always the case. The younger player might not get the opportunity to fully develop. In the AHL, you get the opportunity to play and improve.”

That certainly is the case for a pair of the Kraken 2021 draft picks, defenseman Ville Ottavainen and forward Jacob Melanson, who were reassigned to AHL Coachella Valley Tuesday. Both scored goals during the preseason, and both turned heads with hard-nosed play. There were six players placed on waivers, all with several seasons of NHL/AHL experience, in hopes if not claimed by another team within a 24-hour window would join the Firebirds, too.

Bylsma resoundingly understands the pro player's journey to the NHL. Starting in 1992-93, he played 95 AHL games with the Rochester Americans, Albany River Rats, Moncton Hawks, Lowell Lock Monsters and the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks, plus 85 games in the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) with the Greensboro Monarchs. He spent five seasons in the now-defunct International Hockey League (IHL) with the Long Beach Ice Dogs and the Phoenix Roadrunners, playing 231 games. From 1995 through 2004, he appeared in 429 NHL games over nine seasons, interspersed with games in the AHL and IHL.

“Some of the guys that are getting reassigned and on waivers today, they're going to play games for us throughout the year,” said Bylsma Tuesday after practice.

Eduard Sale, Seattle’s 2023 first-round draft pick (20^th overall), was also directly reassigned to the Firebirds. As a 19-year-old international player, the Czech-born center can play in the AHL (North American prospects, per a long-standing agreement with the Canadian Hockey League, cannot play until 20 years old) or could return to juniors. Understandably, Bylsma did not speculate on whether Sale might stay in the AHL all year, but he was happy to commend Sale’s efforts since rookie camp opened Sept. 11, plus the two NHL preseason games he played (Sale scored a goal Saturday in Edmonton).

“How [Sale has] done in camp, how he showed games that he's played, his ability to be effective in the games is an indication of how well he's doing,” said Bylsma. “How well he's showing is why he is getting a chance to go to CV.”

Oct 1, 1:26 p.m. | Kraken Trim Roster Via AHL Assignments, Waivers

As Wednesday’s home game against Edmonton marks the final preseason matchup before the Oct. 8 season start, the Kraken put six players on waivers Tuesday at 11 a.m. and directly reassigned three others to American Hockey League affiliate Coachella Valley.

Forwards Brandon Biro, Max McCormick, Ben Meyers and Mitchell Stephens, plus defenseman Gustav Olofsson and goaltender Ales Stezka, all were placed on waivers with the intent of assigning those players to Firebirds training camp (which started on ice Monday) if they pass through waivers. NHL teams have until 11 a.m. Wednesday to make a claim.

Meyers, 25, a free agent signed this summer, finished the preseason with two goals and three assists in four games to lead the Kraken in scoring to date. McCormick has been the CVF captain since the inaugural 2022-23 season while Olofsson has worn a “A” as alternate captain for both of Coachella Valley’s Western Conference championship titles.

Forward Jacob Melanson and Ville Ottavainen, both members of Seattle’s 2021 draft class, are assigned to Coachella Valley but leave Kraken camp with rave reviews for their play in all zones. Ottavainen, picked in the fourth round in 2021, scored his first goal in a Kraken uniform Monday in Calgary on a missile of a one-timer shot. Fifth-rounder Melanson notched a goal and assist in three games with head coach Dan Bylsma calling out the rugged forward’s play in the tough areas as a positive factor in each one of his appearances.

Eduard Sale, the Kraken’s first-round draft pick (20^th overall) in 2023, has been assigned to the Firebirds camp. Per international player rules, the Czech-born forward can play in the AHL this year but also remains eligible to return to juniors. Sale scored in Saturday’s game at Edmonton for his first goal in Kraken colors.

If you are wondering who remains in camp but is not officially on the Seattle roster, 2021 third-rounder, Ryan Winterton is one of those players. He has been praised by coaches, teammates and the Kraken Hockey Network analysts alike for his hustle play and deft stick work in all three zones. He has three points (goal, two assists) in four games and notched five goals for CVF in the Calder Cup Final last spring.

Veteran forward John Hayden remains in camp, again providing stellar play and physicality familiar to Kraken and Firebirds fans. Same for veteran defenseman Cale Fleury, who spent last season in the AHL after serving as a reserve defenseman for most of the inaugural season.

Sept 28, 4:17 p.m. | Beniers welcomes challenge against Oilers top line

Kraken center Matty Beniers finished Saturday’s morning skate saying he was looking forward to matching up that night against the high-flying Edmonton Oilers’ top lines.

Playing a solid, two-way game that focuses on defense as much as offense meant the Oilers represented the biggest challenge of the preseason for Beniers thus far. The Oilers announced midday that reigning Conn Smythe Trophy winner as playoff MVP winner Connor McDavid would play along with linemates Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Zach Hyman, giving Beniers a heavy assignment to go up against.

“It’s a great thing to see guys like (Connor) McDavid, guys like (Leon) Draisaitl – whoever they’re putting out there tonight,” Beniers said. “Especially in preseason because it kind of gets you ready for what’s to come. A lot of speed, a lot of skill. So, it’s just playing good defensively and turning those turnovers or takeaways into offense.”

Beniers has put on more than 10 pounds of additional muscle since last season and said he’s noticed results.

“I feel a little stronger, a little bit more power in my stride,” Beniers said. “So, I think putting on a little extra weight is good for staying strong on your feet, in the corners and stuff like that. So, yeah, it’s been good.”

Kraken head coach Dan Bylsma said that while Beniers last year didn’t match the offensive statistics from his 2022-23 Calder Trophy winning rookie campaign, he “grew into a solid and responsible two-way centerman. That’s got to continue to grow and you do it against the likes of McDavid and Draisaitl…that’s the challenge ahead for him and it will be tonight.”

Bylsma said forward Andre Burakovsky was sporting a no-contact red jersey in Saturday’s workout for precautionary reasons as he recovers from an undisclosed minor injury. Burakovsky also skated on the side Friday and Bylsma said he's “progressing” well.

Same with defenseman Vince Dunn, who won't play against the Oilers but is with the team in Alberta, and Bylsma said he is progressing toward getting into a preseason contest with two remaining after Saturday. Dunn missed 19 of the team’s final 21 games last spring after a neck injury suffered when hit from behind by Martin Pospisil of the Calgary Flames.

Sept 27, 1:33 p.m. | Kraken Trim Roster with AHL Moves, Waivers

As October and the NHL regular season draws near, the Kraken trimmed the number of players in the NHL camp. Eight players were assigned to AHL affiliate Coachella Valley, which starts camp activities Sunday: Goaltenders Victor Ostman and Jack LaFontaine, defenseman Ty Nelson and a sizeable, skilled forward group of Jagger Firkus, David Goyette, Logan Morrison, Tucker Robertson and Ian McKinnon.

Nelson and the forwards all figure to be valuable and productive contributors for new Firebirds head coach Derek Laxdal and his coaching staff. Firkus and Goyette – same for Nelson on the blue line – will be playing their first full AHL seasons. Those two forwards are coming off career years in juniors, leading their respective leagues (WHL, OHL) in scoring.

Two more players, forward Luke Henman and defenseman Nikolas Brouillard, were placed on waivers. If they are not claimed by another NHL club by 11 a.m. Saturday, they will report to Coachella Valley. Henman, the first Kraken player to be signed to a professional contract, has earned a stellar reputation for being among the hardest-working Firebirds.

Sept 26, 2:15 p.m. | Prospect, Melanson plays reporter at Ty Nelson's media scrum

Kraken forward prospect Jacob Melanson decided to have a little fun Thursday with good buddy Ty Nelson while boosting his odds at a future media career in the process.

Melanson, 21, a 5^th round pick in 2021 readying for his second season with the AHL Coachella Valley Firebirds, showed up at a post-practice media interview scrum gathered around Nelson holding out the butt end of his hockey stick as if it was a microphone, and he was an interviewer. Amid muffled laughter from the group, one media member proceeded to ask Nelson, 20, a third-rounder from 2022, to give a scouting report on Melanson.

“Try not to go against him,” Nelson quipped, prompting more laughter from media members and Melanson. “He’s probably going to lay you out or just try to outwork you any way he can.”

Melanson definitely carries a tough customer reputation, racking up 103 penalty minutes in 80 combined regular season and playoff games with Coachella Valley his first pro campaign last season. Once Nelson, who spent the past two postseasons with Coachella Valley, was done with his answer a media member asked Melanson whether he had any questions for his pal.

“Yeah,” Melanson replied, still holding out his stick with media microphones and video cameras rolling. “What are you bringing to the Coachella Valley Firebirds this year? I know you’re a big boy. What are you going to bring this year?”

As far as questions go, it wasn’t the worst. Nelson, a North Bay Battalion OHL junior standout expected to play his first full AHL season this fall, then gave a thoughtful reply.

“I like to say I bring a two-way hockey game,” Nelson said. “I love to play in the offensive zone and be able to defend well in my D-zone. And just be able to be a leader on and off the ice. And just kind of try to help the team win any way we can.”

Melanson promptly thanked Nelson for the answer, no doubt knowing he can always grab his stick out of the rack in a few months for some follow-up questions on how things actually turned out.

Sept 25, 1:54 p.m. | Kraken Reassign Villeneuve, Catton, Rehkopf to CHL Squads

Kraken prospect Nathan Villeneuve certainly made a lasting impression in what turned out to be his only preseason chance to do so.

Villeneuve, 18, a 2^nd round draft pick last July, who scored the Kraken’s only goal in a Sunday night loss to Calgary, was one of three highly touted prospects sent back to their junior teams after Wednesday’s workouts. Also heading back are Spokane Chiefs centerman Berkly Catton, 18, the No. 8 overall pick this summer, and Carson Rehkopf, a 2^nd-round pick from last year and a 52-goal scorer in the OHL this past season.

“They had a chance here in camp to do it with our guys, to see the pace, the speed and how our guys work,” Kraken head coach Dan Bylsma said after the cuts were made. “Now, it’s their job to take that and be leaders of their own careers.”

As teenagers drafted from major junior hockey teams, all three players are ineligible to start the season in the AHL because they are not yet 20. Rehkopf missed the Dec. 31 cutoff for that by only a week.

Instead, they’ll head back to their respective squads with hopes of improving even further on dominant performances last season.

Villeneuve was the least touted of the three heading into camp but quickly demonstrated why the Kraken were so high on him this past summer. His physical play, energetic pace and scoring touch quickly made him one of the biggest stories of camp.

As for Catton, his January birthdate means he won’t have AHL eligibility a year from now and would still have to play the 2025-26 season in the junior ranks if the Kraken don’t keep him out of camp. That means the Kraken were paying special attention to where Catton is now development-wise.

“There was a lot of anticipation as to what kind of player he is and what he can do on the ice,” Bylsma said of Catton, who had some scoring chances in Monday’s game, positioning himself for a breakaway only to be hauled down from behind. “I thought he showed great with his training camp. “A high degree of skill and compete with great hockey sense. A great offensive mind for the game, and that showed up.”

Sept 24, 2:02 p.m. | Bylsma Enthused About Montour, Burakovsky, Meyers

An entirely new and different group of Kraken will be on the ice in Vancouver Tuesday night. Along with free-agent signee and defenseman Brandon Montour, another brand-new face will be NHL-tested forward Ben Meyers, who also signed with Seattle on the first day of free agency this summer.

It’s no exaggeration to suggest Kraken coach Dan Bylsma is looking forward to Montour’s debut as much as fans who have been praising GM Ron Francis since the Stanley Cup-winning defenseman inked a seven-year deal on July 1.

"In the past for this team, Yanni Gourde and [Brandon] Tanev have been the engines with their speed and compete level,” said Bylsma after practice at Kraken Community Iceplex and before flying to Vancouver early afternoon. “Monty has every right and every ability to bring it as well and be that type of player for us.”

Meyers signed a one-way contract (AAV $775,000) and arrives with 67 NHL regular season appearances with Colorado and Anaheim (he was traded to the Ducks at the 2024 trade deadline). He played six postseason games for the Avalanche in 2023, facing the Kraken in a series Seattle fans will never forget. Meyers spent a good part of last season notching 11 goals and 14 assists in 32 games for the AHL Colorado Eagles. Bylsma faced Meyers as an opposing coach before welcoming him to Seattle’s training camp and putting him in Tuesday’s lineup (he was centering a line with Jaden Schwartz and Andre Burakovsky during morning skate).

“I have seen Ben play in two, three American League games and feared him playing in a few more against CV [before Anaheim acquired him],” said Bylsma about his encounters with the NCAA University of Minnesota star as Firebirds coach. “He brings speed, he brings intelligence and he brings, in his own way, a compete level. I don't have to fear it anymore; now I can expect it.”

Bylsma told the media scrum he’s been savoring the on-ice work of the aforementioned Burakovsky, who missed a lot of games last season due to injuries but starred for Team Sweden during the 2024 IIHF Men’s World Championship.

“How he's skated and the speed at which he plays has been impressive so far through camp,” said the Kraken coach. “I can't wait to see it on the ice tonight.”

Sept 23, 12:45 p.m. | Kraken Make First Round Of Camp Cuts

An initial round of cuts Monday at Kraken Camp, pres. by Starbucks, has pared the team’s roster by 10 major junior prospects as Tuesday night’s second preseason game awaits on the road against the Vancouver Canucks.

The team announced Monday that Lukas Dragicevic, the former Tri-City Americans standout who saw an impressive 12 minutes of ice time in a 6-1 loss to Calgary on Monday, would be returned to his new Prince Albert Raiders team in the Western Hockey League. Dragicevic, 19, a 2^nd round, 57^th overall pick by the Kraken last year, was the only player among the cuts to see any NHL preseason action.

Others sent down include Everett Silvertips power forward Julius Miettinen, taken in the second round this past summer, and defenseman Kaden Hammell, a fourth rounder from last year.

The remainder of the cuts include last summer’s 3^rd round selection, defenseman Alexis Bernier, 4^thround centerman Ollie Josephson, 5^th round forward Clarke Caswell and 7^th round defenseman Jakub Fibigr.

Draftees from two summers ago being sent down include third round defenseman Caden Price and fourth rounder Andrei Loshko while 2022 fourth rounder Tyson Jugnauth will return to junior for his age 20 season.

The players returned to their teams have yet to play professionally, aside from Dragicevic getting into three games with the AHL Coachella Valley Firebirds last spring after the Tri-City junior schedule was done. Most are expected to take on leading roles at the junior hockey level ahead of any AHL debut.

Players drafted out of major junior hockey – which includes the WHL, OHL and QMJHL – are ineligible for full-time AHL play and must be returned to their junior teams unless they turn 20 by Dec. 31 of the season in question. The only exceptions, as with Dragicevic, are once their junior team’s season is complete and they get sent to the AHL for late-season or playoff action.

In the case of the players sent down Monday by the Kraken, the idea was to have them in camp for a taste of NHL and pro action they can use to further their development in the coming junior season ahead.

Sept 22, 07:51 p.m. | Schwartz on camp linemates Stephenson, Burakovsky

A third day of up-tempo Kraken workouts Saturday included a scrimmage between two of the three practice groups and featured the early camp forward line trio of center Chandler Stephenson and wingers Jaden Schwartz and Andre Burakovsky.

Stephenson showed off his speed by chasing after a loose puck inside his own blue line, poking it past a defender and racing in alone for a scoring chance turned away. Still, his group won the scrimmage 2-0 on a goal by AHL defender Gustav Olofsson and another by forward prospect Logan Morrison into an empty net.

Afterwards, linemate Schwartz discussed how excited he is about the potential new line. Schwartz played against Stephenson in childhood back in Saskatchewan and even stayed at his home for a bit when he was teammates with his older brother.

“Obviously, I know Chandler (Stephenson) from growing up, and I love playing with Burky (Burakovsky),” Schwartz said. “He’s a dynamic player. So, we got a chance here in some line rushes in the scrimmage today to start reading off each other a little bit. But yeah, I’m excited to be playing with those two. Awesome players.

“Chandler’s just so good in all three zones. A really good playmaker and sees the ice well. Burky’s dynamic and has an awesome shot and does a lot of little things right. So, I’m excited to play with him.”

Kraken head coach Dan Bylsma has said he paired Stephenson with Schwartz partly because of their childhood familiarity. But Bylsma added that Stephenson’s more recent familiarity with Burakovsky while teaming as forwards with the Washington Capitals earlier in their careers factored heavily in that pairing decision.

Bylsma also cautioned that none of the forward lines seen so far are permanent as of yet.

“The familiarity is good and Chandler’s a great player,” Bylsma said. “But he needs to integrate into our team and the guys around him…you’ll certainly see him in different spots.”

Sept 21, 07:11 a.m. | Prospecting for Players to Watch as Preseason Beckons

As preseason games swing into gear Sunday when Calgary arrives at Climate Pledge Arena with a mix of veterans and prospects, here are a few thoughts about prospects who impressed at last weekend’s 2024 Rookie Faceoff tourney in Los Angeles and/or looked good in early practices with rostered veterans.

“I think you have a tendency to downplay the play of the older guys that have been around a little bit, [Logan] Morrison and [Jacob] Melanson, and say, ‘they've it before, so you're expecting a lot more from them,” said Kraken coach Dan Bylsma this week. “And the young kids, you're just looking to see their skill. And you do see that.

“The tournament is not always a great indicator. It's a great time for [prospects, especially the 2024 draft class] to get on the ice and get comfortable and put on the jersey. But having said that, in each of the games, you saw some of the strengths of the older guys and some of the strengths of the guys we drafted in July.

“In the first game, the line with Morrison, Melanson, and [2024 second-rounder Nathan Villanueve made their presence felt right off the hop with the kind of players they are, their speed and their physicality. It was good to see [2022 fourth-rounder Tyson Jugnauth] in the first game. He is really sure what he can do as a defenseman, He's smooth skating, silky smooth. But he was capable of defending with the speed and skating in that game. [AHL defenseman and 2021 fourth pick] Ville Ottavainen stood and clearly gave an older presence, not quite a veteran yet, in his ability to skate and get up the ice, evident right off the hop.

Center Shane Wright was on the ice with the prospects for the first two days of development camp. He was required to make the trip to LA but watched livestreams of both game (how impressive is that leadership?).

“Wright’s take on tourney standouts that have potential to get some NHL preseason experience, no guarantees on the latter: “I think a lot of guys looked good,” said Wright. “I really liked [2023 fourth-rounder and center Andrei Loshko], really his whole game. He's made a lot of steps. [2022 fourth-rounder and center/AHL teammate] Tucker Robertson looked like a top player there for sure. 'Pricer' as well at the point [2023 third-rounder and defenseman Caden Price] and [2024 third-rounder and D-man [Alexis] Bernier as well, liked his game a lot ... those are the guys who stick out in my mind.

Sept 20, 03:42 p.m. | Eberle Impressed By Wright's Confidence

Veteran winger Jordan Eberle spent much of the second day of Kraken Training Camp skating alongside young centerman Shane Wright throughout their final group’s 75-minute practice session.

Eberle’s practice group of 21 players contains a heavily balanced mix of Kraken regulars such as Jared McCann, Oliver Bjorkstrand, Adam Larsson, Matty Beniers and Vince Dunn, along with newer faces such as Wright, Jagger Firkus, Jani Nyman, Berkly Catton and David Goyette. The remaining two practice groups in camp are split exactly the same way; which isn’t always common in NHL camps that can have a solid demarcation between rookies and veterans.

That’s especially true with the Kraken, who, in their first few seasons, didn’t always have enough talented prospects to keep up with the quicker NHL regulars in large, competitive numbers.

“Personally, I think our depth has always been a strong part of our team the past couple of years,” said Eberle, 32, who signed a two-year extension with the team last March. “And in my opinion, it’s gotten better with some of the changes we’ve made this season, some of the draft picks of the young guys who are playing really well.

“And that’s how you build franchises. That’s how you build organizations. We’re trying to mix and have some young guys play with some of the older guys and get some youth and some experience.”

As for Wright, specifically, Eberle said the No. 4 overall draft pick from 2022 is “definitely a more confident player.

“You see it where around the rink, he’s definitely a more confident guy, too,” he added. “We need him to be confident. He’s obviously got tremendous talent.”

Kraken head coach Dan Bylsma said the mix of youth and experience is partially so the team can experiment with various line combinations and pairings. But it’s also a chance, he said, for all in camp to play with one another regardless of their degree of experience.

“I think it’s important for everyone’s development when you can have that experience,” Bylsma said. “You just don’t want it to be a blind (situation) where a Berkly Catton never sees Matty Beniers on the ice. And it’s a chance for Berkly to show what he can do against NHL players. It’s a chance for the older guys to be leaders and show Berkly how we work and how we play.”

Bylsma early on has had right wing Eberle and centerman Wright together with left wing Tye Kartye in one practice group while new veteran center Chandler Stephenson has been with left wing Jaden Schwartz and right wing Andre Burakovsky in another practice grouping. But Bylsma quickly added the team will look at multiple combos in days ahead and not to read too much into anything yet.

Sept 20, 08:44 a.m. | Playing Fast is a Bylsma Must, Suits Gourde

Kraken head coach Dan Bylsma has looked forward to Thursday’s on-ice start of training camp since the day he was offered and accepted the new gig. He looked both happy and determined in a media scrum beefed up by extra local TV cameras and personnel.

“Everyone should get the message that we're going to be a skating team, a fast team and a competitive team,” said Bylsma when asked what he said to the 60 players who practiced in three groups. “I’m going ask these guys to compete every day in everything we do. We're going to be skating. We're going to be up and down the sheet. We're going to play with pace and speed.”

That makes veteran center and fan favorite Yanni Gourde happy and determined, too. During a Wednesday conversation, he suggested free-agent signees Chandler Stephenson and Brandon Montour will rev up the speed factor.

“You think about the two additions; they're great, tremendous, skilled players, but work hard,” said Gourde, whose work ethic is undeniable. They work hard, both of them. Yeah, I love it. They're fast players. They're going to help the pace of this team, and that's going to fall into a bit of our identities – playing fast and playing faster than I think we did last year.”

All that speed works best when linemates and defensive pairs can correctly anticipate where teammates are headed while flying up ice to create scoring chances or rapidly getting back in defense mode to turn an opponent’s rush into an offensive opportunity, among other game developments.

“It’s just knowing your spots, being predictable,” said Gourde. “Playing faster does not necessarily mean skating with the puck. It's more about moving the puck faster. It's like getting to your spots faster, knowing where the puck is going to be, knowing what the next play is going to be. So everybody's on the same page, less thinking out there, more everybody's on the same page. That’s how you look [and play] faster as a team. It's not, ‘Oh, we need to practice skating. It's not skating; it's moving the puck.”

Let’s finish with Bylsma, who said he intends for this Kraken squad to be “uber-competitive,” which all Kraken fans can imagine has the high-energy, relentlessly hard-to-play-against Gourde smiling.

“I think that we'll get there,” said Bylsma, who pointed out there are 19 more days to prepare before the Oct. 6 home opener for him and his coaching staff (which until AHL Coachella Valley commences includes new CVF coach Derek Laxdal and his group). “You will see it [the competitiveness factor] in our practices before games. In the last practice before every game, usually at the end, we’re going to have [one-on-one battle drills] to set the tone for what we’re going to be doing the next night.”

Bylsma paused and possibly slightly raised an eyebrow, hard to tell under his Kraken ballcap (by the way, he threw out the first pitch at Wednesday’s Yankees-Mariners game): “Now I guess you’re going to hold me to it. That should be happening every practice before games.”

September 19, 08:55 a.m. PT | GM Francis ‘Optimistic’ on Wright, Who Wants ‘to Be Noticeable’

GM Ron Francis's first press conference of the new season a week ago ended with a proper and primary question for fans: “You’ve spoken optimistically in the past about Shane Wright’s chances [of making the opening day roster]. Are you still optimistic?”

No hesitation from the Kraken boss: “Yeah, very optimistic. I had a conversation with Gary Roberts [Seattle’s sports performance consultant and renowned trainer of NHL players summers in Toronto]. Gary was really impressed with Shane’s training this summer. He said that if I hadn’t seen Shane yet that when I saw him, I would notice a big difference. He said he was almost a different kid this year in the [summer] training, more of a professional, a man in his process of how he went about things. That’s great to hear.”

Seattle fans are about to see for themselves as training camp starts Thursday at Kraken Community Iceplex with three groups of rosters and prospects going 75 minutes in a trio of practices from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m range. For his part, despite being arguably the best Firebirds player on the ice during the 2024 Calder Cup Finals (two goals and six assists in six games was just the start of it), Wright offered a simple premise when asked Wednesday about mindset for training camp and preseason games that start Sunday with a home game against Vancouver (7 p.m. puck drop).

“I want to be noticeable,” said Wright, who, let’s not forget, doesn’t turn 21 until January. “I want to show myself off. I want to be able to prove to the staff and the coaches that I belong and I deserve a spot, I want to make sure they see my competitive level, making plays and playing hard."

New AHL Coachella Valley coach Derek Laxdal watched the Kraken’s 2022 first-rounder (No. 4 overall) over the first two days of Rookie Camp, serving as both mentor (lots of on-ice conversations with 2024 first-rounder and No. 8 overall, Berkly Catton) and positive example for all prospects in the organization. Laxdal, whose juniors team faced the Kraken center, said Wright “put in the work” on the ice and learned from CVF veterans the optimal habits necessary off the ice to be a successful pro.

“He's bigger, stronger, faster,” said Laxdal last week after two practices ahead of the weekend rookie tournament from which Wright was excused to stay back for veteran skates. “He's learning the game. He's maturing ... you watch some film on him and we think he’s going to be the type of player you build your organization around, right? He can play a 200-foot game. He's got the scoring knock, he's got good size, he's got a good shot, he's got great leadership qualities.”

Case in point about those leadership qualities: When asked Wednesday what prospects impressed him over the two days he was skating in rookie camp, Wright offered detailed thoughts and unwittingly mentioned he watched both weekend games (live-streamed on the Kraken website). Not exactly what every prospect does with free weekend hours.

“I think a lot of guys looked good,” said Wright. “I really liked [2023 fourth-rounder and center] Andrei Loshko, really his whole game. He's made a lot of steps. [2022 fourth-rounder and center/AHL teammate] Tucker Robertson looked like a top player there for sure. 'Pricer' as well at the point [2023 third-rounder and defenseman Caden Price] and [2024 third-rounder and D-man Alexis] Bernier as well, liked his game a lot ... those are the guys who stick out in my mind.”

September 18, 01:06 p.m. PT | Vince Dunn on Adam Larsson's Contract Extension

Many Kraken fans are happy to hear that Adam Larsson is sticking around now that he’s signed a four-year extension that keeps him in Seattle through the 2028-29 season…but few may be as happy as a long-time D-partner Vince Dunn.

We caught up with Dunn now that he’s back in the Pacific Northwest and asked him about what makes the alternate captain so special.

“I'm here for three more years, he's here for four more, and I want to be here for 12 more realistically,” Dunn said. “So I get three more years of my boy, and I'm just so happy for him as an individual, more than just for me and for the team, I think he's just a great, great person and leader and player to have. And his family - I think they're really happy here. He's really happy here. His career has taken another step here, and it continues to get better and better and he continues to be more and more of a dominant player on the ice.

“I think just playing with him and seeing how much he really cares - that energy is continuous in the locker room. It's just so good for the younger guys coming up.”

And as for potentially breaking his good friend’s contract news on X (formerly known as Twitter)? Dunn smiled and offered a little laugh. He said he didn’t want to give the news away – and he wasn’t sure if anyone would even get it. But by the time the Mississauga, ONT came back to his phone he saw people had figured it out.

Was Larsson mad? Another smile. Dunn jokes that he can’t tell when Larsson might actually be mad at him, but he didn’t take it too seriously. Dunn can’t really ever get too mad at Larsson either – the two are great friends off the ice and talked almost every day this off-season, “when I walk into the arena, the first thing I'm thinking of is, ‘where's Lars?’” Dunn says happily.

September 18, 09:04 a.m. PT | Kraken Camp pres. by Starbucks Kicks Off

We’re that much closer to hockey season, Kraken fans! After completing the normal start of season fitness and medical testing on Wednesday, players will take to the ice for the first official skate of this year’s training camp at 11 a.m. on Thursday, September 19th! With 60 players expected to participate, there will be two groups moving through drills and other on-ice work at Kraken Community Iceplex, and everyone is encouraged to come out and get a first look at faces that are both new and familiar. Some of those new faces to check out:, freshly signed center Chandler Stephenson (he’ll wear number 9) and defenders Brandon Montour (62), and Josh Mahura (28) will be skating. And while Seattle fans know Tye Kartye and Ryker Evans well already – they’ll each be wearing new numbers: 12 and 41, respectively.

Can’t wait to see you out at KCI, Kraken faithful! For full information on practice times and other Training Camp activities, be sure to check out the full schedule HERE.

The next chapter of Kraken hockey starts now, be part of it. Season Ticket Memberships are available.