Rest, Then a Test

Going into an off-day Saturday, the Kraken skated a spirited practice Friday featuring a small-ice drill and a 3-on-3 overtime simulation. Both delighted another big crowd of Seattle fans getting to know the NHL's 32nd franchise. Let's cover some observations and news from the 16th day of the inaugural Kraken training camp.

And Then There Were Two

The Kraken will return to the ice Sunday and Monday for two final days of camp before flying to Vegas Monday afternoon for Tuesday's season opener. New national NHL broadcaster ESPN will televise the game as part of a doubleheader (the only two NHL games that night) that features Pittsburgh visiting two-straight Stanley Cup winner Tampa Bay.
"Our mindset is good," said Hakstol. "Our work ethic has been outstanding. We've got a day off now for everybody to get away from the rink and the game for a day."

Look Who's Talking

Refresher off-days mend both the body and brain for NHL players who stepped right into a half-dozen preseason games and intense practices-and position competition-two-plus weeks before the season. It might be even more true for the Kraken, who are still settling into new homes and surroundings.
There's also the matter of team chemistry and camaraderie, mentioned regularly by Hakstol during camp. Not as frequently as his zeal for installing systems of play before going on a five-game road trip to begin the regular season.
Following the 4-0 victory over Vancouver Tuesday, the players were clearly enjoying each other's company, laughing and talking in small groups. The chatter continued on ice Friday.
Veterans Mark Giordano and Jordan Eberle talked during one break for an extended period. Nearby, defenseman Vince Dunn and center Alex Wennberg went long themselves, gesturing to spots on the ice.
Some conversations mingled the coaching staff with players. Hakstol stopped forward Joonas Donskoi for a lengthy talk during the extra-work time following a hard one-hour practice. Earlier, during warmups, Jared McCann skated alongside assistant coach Paul McFarland, who is responsible for forwards and the power play.
That connection has pretty much been a daily occurrence during camp. Brandon Tanev is another forward who seeks out McFarland's input.

On the Lines

Yanni Gourde has enjoyed his week, no doubt. It started a switch to what he called a "half-contact" powder blue jersey to white and blue jerseys as camp progressed. He worked on the wing Thursday, then moved to his usual center position Friday.
He looked sharp and energetic-as always here at the Kraken Community Iceplex. Friday he took faceoffs with Ryan Donato for a good while and looked to be rounding into form as the drill progressed. He told the media earlier in the week that faceoffs bother his now surgically repaired shoulder during the last two Cup seasons with Tampa Bay.
Gourde centered with presumed top-line forwards, Eberle and Jaden Schwartz during some drills and didn't seem to miss a beat making plays. The insertion of Gourde freed Hakstol and McFarland to match Jared McCann (having a superb camp) with Donato and Morgan Geekie on wings.
"We have a medical team in place that have a plan [for Gourde]," said Hakstol after practice. "We're going to communicate with them. That's where decisions will be made. On the ice right now, we're trying to make sure when he is ready and clear that he's in the best spot he can be physically."

Happy Campers

Both Donato and Geekie have put up impressive showings too. Beyond a known scoring touch, Donato is showing prowess on forechecking to prevent opponents to come out of their defensive zone, plus willingly wading into physical battles for position in front the opponent's net to either score on a rebound or hinder the opposing goalie's tracking of the puck.
Geekie is gaining trust from the coaches and fans who like what he's doing on the ice at both ends. Geekie slid over to wing to play with McCann in the middle, but the potential combination likely won't stop the young forward's penchant for making laser passes to open teammates near the net.

News and Notes

Veteran forward Calle Jarnkrok missed Thursday's practice with an illness provided as the reason. Hakstol confirmed Friday the Swede is out of action after entering the NHL's COVID-19 protocol for returning to play. There was no timetable provided on Jarnkrok's timeline.
... Jarnkrok's absence prompted the coaching to have Finnish right wing Joonas Donskoi join Swedish forwards Alex Wennberg (center) and Marcus Johanssson (left wing) to work together. The line looked like their style of play are a good match.
... The fans in the Starbucks Rink bleachers clearly enjoyed the 3-on-3 simulation of NHL-style overtime that featured lots of playmaking among teammates and NHL-quality saves from goalies Philipp Grubauer and Chris Driedger.
... A quick shout-out to goalie Joey Daccord, who was assigned to American Hockey League affiliate Charlotte Thursday. He played extremely well in several preseason third periods (not an easy task to sub into a game already developing its own characteristics and pace). He provides impressive depth at the goalie position and without question played with confidence the coaches noticed.
... Giordano, Eberle and Schwartz looked like a trio that might well start the Kraken's first-ever overtime when it unfolds. D-man Adam Larsson and forwards Donskoi and Geekie was another trio that stood out, particularly for puck possession (stating the obvious but the other team can't score if your Seattle faves control the puck).
... A small-ice drill was a crowd-pleaser for fans and players alike. It is basically non-stop flurry scoring chances as players sub in and out of the tight area of the neutral zone between the blue lines. The Blue pulled off the win and celebrated as a group, sticks raised and cheering along with the fans.