Seattle Kraken Preseason Schedule
As a result of the NHL expanding its regular schedule by two games this season (from 82 to 84), the preseason has correspondingly shrunk to four games. The Kraken’s preseason slate will consist of home and road games against the Vancouver Canucks and Calgary Flames.
- Sat., Sept. 19: Home vs. VAN, 7 pm
- Sun., Sept. 20: Away vs. CGY, 5 pm
- Thu., Sept. 24: Home vs. CGY, 6:40 pm
- Sat., Sept. 26: Away vs. VAN, 4 pm
Players wearing Kraken and Canucks uniforms will play two additional games earlier in September at Abbotsford, BC. These games, known as the “Prospects Showcase,” will help coaches on a tight timeline decide which youngsters deserve consideration of sticking in Seattle.
Kraken Out Of Luck With Tuch
Even when the story comes from a reliable source, remember what I said about keeping a salt lick handy when it comes to rumors.
ESPN’s Emily Kaplan* wrote on June 23, “Alex Tuch, 30, is coveted around the league as perhaps the best unrestricted free agent remaining. It’s believed the Seattle Kraken are willing to offer Tuch a massive contract.” That was contingent on Tuch reaching free agency on July 1.
Similarly to Artemi Panarin, Seattle may have been willing to back up the Brinks truck for Tuch, but they didn’t get the chance. One day after the Kaplan story, Buffalo traded the prized forward to Washington, after which he signed an $84 million contract.
Kraken Preparing More Water Displacement?
“They want to make a big splash this summer,” says David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period. That was before Tuch left the market, but after Seattle had already added Bobby McMann and Mackie Samoskevich. “They’ve got money to spend, and clearly with McMann’s deal they’re not afraid to spend it.
“Jaden Schwartz, Eeli Tolvanen as of now, Jamie Oleksiak, they look like they’re going to market as free agents. They added Samoskevich. Shane Wright is very much available, they’re actively shopping him. It’s trying to package him up for a first-line caliber player or flip him out for other assets and maybe use that as package material for something.”
More Skinny On Samoskevich
The Miami Herald has been covering Mackie Samoskevich ever since the Florida Panthers made him their 1st round draft pick, 24th overall, in 2021. Here’s their final analysis of the winger, traded to the Kraken this week.
“At his best, he has potential to be a top-six winger, with a strong shot and speed down the wings that could benefit a contender and be a boon to a team’s power play. But overall, Samoskevich was streaky during his Panthers tenure and struggled to finish plays.
“His straight-end speed makes him a weapon on the wings. His quick release has the potential to be a goaltender’s nightmare if he can learn to finish more consistently.”
(Editor’s Note: *Kaplan is one of the four Pro Hockey Writers Association board members who barred our Rob Simpson from membership without explanation.)
Earlier Kraken:
— Kraken’s McMann Answers The Tough Questions
