In the “What Seattle Kraken hockey ops did right” column, put a big check mark beside their minor league affiliates. With apologies to the 1960’s TV hit Green Acres … 🎶
🎵 Palm Desert is the place to be,
Farm club living is the life for me,
Firebirds spreading out so far and wide,
Hey Seattle they soon will be Kraken-side
Kraken Struck Gold In California Desert
Don’t mourn that the clock struck midnight on the Coachella Valley Firebirds’ playoff run Wednesday, dropping their 3rd round series to the Colorado Eagles.
Instead, celebrate that the Firebirds have qualified for the AHL’s Calder Cup Playoffs all four years of their existence, making deep postseason runs in three of those years. Remember, the Kraken didn’t even have a farm team in their expansion season of 2021-22, sharing the Charlotte Checkers with the Florida Panthers.
The Kraken chose Palm Desert, CA, got state-of-the-art Acrisure Arena built, stocked a team, coaches, front office and support staff – and still came within a game of an AHL championship in 2022-23. What’s more, they returned to the Calder Cup Final in Year Two.
By necessity, the Firebirds were veteran-heavy then; there weren’t yet enough prospects in the pipeline. That situation flipped the last two seasons; CV’s roster now is the youngest in the AHL. Even so, coach Derek Laxdal’s kiddie corps won a playoff round in 2025, and two rounds this year.
Firebirds With Playoffs To Remember
As of Wednesday’s 3-2 elimination loss, CV’s Oscar Fisker-Mølgaard led AHL playoff scoring with 11 points in 12 games (7 goals, 4 assists). Jagger Firkus (4 goals) and Jani Nyman (3 goals) were tied for 3rd with 9 points apiece. J.R. Avon opened eyes with 7 playoff goals, including the series-winner against Ontario in double overtime.
Goalie Nikke Kokko played all 12 playoff games, improving his save percentage (.906 vs. .901) and goals-against average (2.60 vs. 3.13) from the regular season. CV staved off elimination four times.
Nothing Lax About Laxdal
Coach Laxdal told Andrew John of The Desert Sun, “I just can’t say enough about our group. Our fans should be very proud.” Laxdal cited the club’s 41 regular season wins, as well as reaching the division finals despite their collective youth.
Earlier in the postseason, Laxdal called “adjustments” the beauty of playoff hockey. “It’s a chess game going on; the power play, the penalty kill, faceoffs, d-zone coverage.
“If there’s little subtle changes where we think we can gain an advantage, we’re definitely going to add it. Once you get into the game, it’s not always going to be how you draw it up. It’s about the will, it’s about the urgency, the determination of your players.”
Salton Sea No Longer Biggest Lake In CV
The Kraken can’t announce – yet – that a men’s pro hoops team will play home games at their arena. But the Kraken’s AHL farm team can.
The Firebirds will be joined this November inside Acrisure Arena by the G-League affiliate of the L.A. Lakers. The relocated team, to be known as the Coachella Valley Lakers, has had three previous homes since being formed in 2006.
“Acrisure Arena is the perfect modern venue,” said Lakers president of business operations Lon Rosen. “An incredible fan-first experience; players have premium facilities and space they need on game day.”
As L.A. Mag points out, “Acrisure Arena was a $300+ million project funded through partners from the Oak View Group, Seattle Kraken and Live Nation.”
Kraken ECHL Team Another K.C. Masterpiece
The Kansas City Mavericks didn’t lose a game in the first two rounds of the Kelly Cup playoffs, polishing off 4-game sweeps of the Tahoe Knight Monsters and Allen Americans. Over those eight games, the Mavs outscored their opposition 32-13.
They did finally drop one on Saturday night in Game 2 of the Western Conference finals, losing to the Fort Wayne Komets 4-3. That was one night after the Mavericks crushed their visitors 5-1 in the opener of the series.
Games 3, 4 and 5 will be played in Fort Wayne, Ind. on Monday, Tuesday, and Sunday, May 31. The weeknight games start at 4:30 pm Seattle time; Sunday’s tilt has a 2 pm PT puck drop.
Loony Tune
Did we mention that TV theme song, Firebirds & Kraken variant, has a second verse?
🎵 Seattle’s where I’d rather stay,
I get heat rash on a scorching day,
I just adore a Space Needle view,
Fuego I love you but Buoy wears Kraken blue
I’ll see myself out.
(Editor’s Note: As they say in the puck world … “You’re a beauty!” 😃)
Earlier Kraken:
— Kraken Prospects Square Off At Memorial Cup
Earlier Canucks:
— Simmer’s Huge Holiday-9; Kraken, Canucks and Women’s Pucks
