((Glenn Dreyfuss made major contributions to this report))
Kraken 9
1) One of the pleasant surprises of another disappointing Kraken season has been the bounce-back by goalie Philipp Grubauer. Of the 45 NHL netminders who have played at least 30 games this season, Grubauer ranks tied for 11th in goals-against average (2.59) and tied for 5th in save percentage (.910).
2) If you go in for advanced stats, Grubauer saves .218 goals “above expected” per 60 minutes, according to MoneyPuck.com. That’s 16th best. By comparison, Joey Daccord ranks 30th. Other notable goalies behind Grubauer in this category are Connor Hellebuyck, Filip Gustavsson, Jake Oettinger and Juuse Saros.
3) This raises interesting possibilities for next season, Grubauer’s last on a six-year, $35.4 million contract. While his cap hit will remain constant at $5.9 million, his actual salary in 2026-27 lowers to $4.5 million. So what does Seattle do with him? Remember, it was touch and go last summer whether Grubauer would be bought out of the final two years of his deal.
4) Grubauer has played well enough to finish out his contract in Seattle. He’s also played well enough to possibly draw trade interest. If so, it’s something the Kraken should consider. (Editor’s note: Gee, how about at the trade deadline ??!!)) He’s not ideal for a club like Seattle, several years from contending, as the goalie turns 35 in November.
Grubi might be attractive as a wise and steady presence to back up a contender’s number-one goalie. For instance, the Vegas Golden Knights, who have used four keepers this season. None of the three back-ups to starter Adin Hill have a save percentage north of .900 or a GAA south of 3.00.
5) Matt Murray was originally signed for one season to be part of a proposed three-goalie rotation with Grubauer and Daccord. Those plans were scuttled because Murray spent much of this season on LTIR. He’s healthy now, and has dressed as the back-up in recent Kraken games. Once Seattle is eliminated from playoff contention, why not give Murray a shot between the pipes and find out if he has anything left.
It’s a gamble to consider Murray as a Kraken next season due to several years of shaky health. But if Grubauer were to be traded (he has a 10-team no movement clause), Murray could be a cheap, temporary bridge while Victor Ostman and Nikke Kokko continue to develop at AHL Coachella Valley.
6) Trivia Time: Defenseman Adam Larsson has played the most all-time games in Seattle, 402, missing just one in his Kraken career. Who’s played the second most games for the club? (Answer at bottom of page)
7) The Kraken’s female cousins, the Torrent, are part of a surge in the Professional Women’s Hockey League’s popularity. The Seattle club has been part of three record breaking crowds, including the latest with 18,000+ at Madison Square Garden in New York on Saturday.
This from the PWHL news department: During the Olympic window in February, PWHL merchandise sales increased 101%, while league-wide social impressions grew 88% as video views and digital engagement reached record highs. That surge has translated directly into sustained fan demand, with March driving a 25% year-over-year increase in average attendance. The league is also on pace to surpass one million ticketed fans in a single season later this month, with ticket sales pacing more than 70% ahead of last season.
8) Think our neighbors, or neighbours, up north are dysfunctional on the ice?! Here’s just one example of bizarre behavior, or behaviour, off of it. The Canucks barred a writer from their press box last Thursday, DURING the game.
At least they stated they had an excuse, and wrote up a lengthy press release describing it. Long story short, the gentleman wrote a piece that shed a very negative light on the Canucks owner, related to a non-hockey owned business.
I’ve never been given such a courtesy. Just lies …
9) Our pal Glenn, who put together a majority of this compilation, has been covering this game for a long time. Check out this Washington Capitals credential from 1983. Dude’s a historian who’s been known to do incredible preparation for his interviews, aside from being one of the nicest guys at the rink.
My first game on a press pass involved the Vancouver Canucks visiting the Detroit Red Wings at the Joe Louis Arena in November of 2011. I was a teenager. I’m not sure if I still have the pass, but I’m gonna look now that Glenn has thrown down the gauntlet. I do know I still have the audio cassette with the postgame sound from that match.
In other words, you’re in good hands coming here for your information on pucks.
Thank you for stopping by. Enjoy the Hockey Action!!
Earlier Kraken:
Earlier Canucks:
Trivia Answer: Defenseman Jamie Oleksiak has played the second most games for Seattle, 384.
