I saw this week as a potential rough week for the Seattle Kraken, and rough it was as they went 0-3-0 as they took losses to the Toronto Maple Leafs, Winnipeg Jets, and Calgary Flames. Trying to look on the positive side here with the games against the Jets and Flames, at least they were in those games until the very end. Let’s take a look back at the week that was and the week ahead:
Blown away by the Maple Leafs (2/14/22)
Jets fly by the Kraken (2/17/22)
Flames stay hot, beat Kraken 2-1 (2/19/22)
How’s it Kraken? My thoughts on the week
As I suspected, this week was going to be a tough one for the Kraken. We all know the Toronto Maple Leafs can score with the best teams in the league so it wasn’t surprising to see the Kraken get obliterated by them as they don’t have the offense upfront to compete with the likes of an Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, John Tavares & etc. Thursday they were taking on a Winnipeg Jets team that is trying to claw their way back into playoff contention and aren’t far from getting to being in a playoff spot if things continue to go well. It wasn’t surprising to see them lose to a team that has more to play for and is playing with desperation. The final thing that also wasn’t surprising to see was Seattle losing to the Calgary Flames who are currently the hottest team in the NHL right now. Including their win over the Kraken, the Flames are riding a nine game winning streak which is obviously quite impressive. Next week will be a bit tough too as they play their arch nemesis Vancouver Canucks on the road, and welcome in the New York Islanders and Boston Bruins to Seattle for a two game home stand. Of those three games, I see the Kraken beating the Islanders and most likely losing to the Canucks & Bruins but, never say never as upsets can happen.
Despite losing all three games this week, take some positives out of the two games against the Jets and Flames as they played very well until the very end against two really good teams. I know that doesn’t sound comforting to fans as that’s been the theme to this team this season which is hanging in until the end and lose or at times this season get blown out. Finding bright spots the rest of the way is the best mentality to have going forward as the team is clearly not going anywhere and won’t be making the playoffs. The thing to watch and really pay attention to besides the games themselves over the next several weeks is the upcoming trade deadline and what assets GM Ron Francis can acquire. Those assets can be draft picks (potential first or second round picks which are very valuable), prospects, or players with some term who can help out with the future of this team. Hopefully those assets that get acquired are the key to putting this team on the winning path. This team was constructed with a build it up first mentality instead of a win now one so there can be a long term and or sustainable winning environment. Be positive and look forward to the future as things can only get better going forward…stay tuned Seattle!
Upcoming Games
2/21/22- Seattle Kraken @ Vancouver Canucks, 10pm EST/7pm PST
2/22/22- Seattle Kraken vs NY Islanders, 10pm EST/7pm PST
2/24/22- Seattle Kraken vs Boston Bruins, 10pm EST/7pm PST
The Xperience Hockey Talk 
One thought on “Kraken Weekly: Focus on The Future”