Time for Seattle Kraken fans to put on their thinking caps. Optimistic? Pessimistic? Somewhere in between? Either way, enjoy prognosticating.
— Your reporters’/correspondents’/writers’ answers are below each query.
Round 1:
1) The Kraken averaged 2.73 goals for per game last season. Will they average more or less than that this season?
— Simmer: How about this. They’ll finish slightly better than that this season, between 2.8 and 2.9, but will still finish where they did last year in terms of their NHL rank. They were 28th last season in goals for; they’ll finish at that number or 27th. So, overall NHL goal scoring will be up a smidge.
— Glenn: It’s not climbing far out on a limb to say, aided by a full season of Bobby McMann and Mackie Samoskevich, that the number rises. It would help if coach Lane Lambert would relax his all-defense-all-the-time strategy, which proved unsustainable over 82 games anyway.
2) Where will Seattle finish in the Pacific Division standings?
— Simmer: 5th
— Glenn: Glass half full, 4th. The SoCal teams are ripe for passing.
3) Will pending unrestricted free agent (UFA) Jared McCann be with Seattle come the end of the season?
— Simmer: Nope
— Glenn: Here’s a thought: get something in return for a vet on an expiring contract.
4) Will a Kraken player top 70 points this season? If so, who?
— Simmer: Heck nope.
— Glenn: Only one player in Kraken history has EVER reached 70 points – McCann, exactly 70 in 2022-23. So, no.
5) Who will finish last in the Pacific Division, the Canucks or the Flames?
— Simmer: Canucks
— Glenn: The Tank-Nucks (sorry, Big Rig).
Round 2:
1) Who on the Kraken will score 20+ goals?
— Simmer: Jordan Eberle, Matty Beniers, Bobby McMann
— Glenn: Agreed, and I’ll throw in Mackie Samoskevich
2) What would it take for this to NOT be Philipp Grubauer’s last season in Seattle?
— Simmer: It’s a contract year, so I could see him playing well and taking over the number-one goalie spot. If that happens, I absolutely, positively don’t give him anymore than a one-year contract. Or I just might say bye bye anyway.
— Glenn: Four “meh” regular seasons, one bounce-back year. Grubi turns 35 in Nov.; it’s more likely he regresses. If he does shine, make him a trade deadline rental along with McCann.
3) Who on the Kraken is most likely to be dealt at the trade deadline?
— Simmer: Shane Wright or Jared McCann if they’re not gone already.
— Glenn: See previous answer. It would be malpractice if Wright weren’t gone by Christmas. Then again, malpractice kind of describes how the Kraken have handled Wright up to now.
4) Who will start the season in Coachella Valley, but spend significant time in Seattle?
— Simmer: Let’s say 30 or more games in “significant” … I’ll say Ryan Winterton.
— Glenn: Jagger Firkus and Ty Nelson.
5) Who will have more hits for their team at the end of the season: Julio Rodriguez for the Mariners, or Jacob Melanson for the Kraken?
— Simmer: We can cheat on this one a bit, because Rodriguez has about 100 hits right now. I’ll go with Melanson.
— Glenn: Melanson, and it won’t be close. He led the team in hits (188), while only playing 36 games! Three of the top five “hitters” from last season – Eeli Tolvanen, Jamie Oleksiak, and Tye Kartye – are gone, so bring on the Melanson Hit Parade.
Snarky (courtesy of Glenn, btw) Round 3:
1) Who will have more points in the upcoming Oilers-Kraken season series: the entire Seattle team, or Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl?
— Simmer: Interesting hypothetical Mr. Snarky. Well, they play each other four times this season. Let’s say the Oilers outscore the Kraken in the season series 20 to 11. Let’s say most of the 11 goals for Seattle involve more than one assist, so we’re looking at about 25 points. That means, in my scenario, out of the 20 goals for the Oilers, those two players would need to top 25 points, that being at least 12 and 13 points respectively over four games. I say no. Kraken players will have more points.
— Glenn: If we call you Simmer, can I be Drey Wit? Of course the Kraken roster will have the points edge. The POINT of the question is to POINT out how great it is to have superstars. *Sigh.*
2) Shane Wright: over/under 25 games with Seattle this season?
— Simmer: Under
— Glenn: Under. (Bonus prediction: watch him thrive with his new team.)
3) By how many points will the Kraken miss the playoffs or make the playoffs, and which will it be?
— Simmer: Miss by 5.
— Glenn: Miss by 10. Who are they going to overtake?
4) What will Seattle’s record be over the two games against the Carolina Hurricanes in Finland?
Simmer: 0-1-and-1
Glenn: The Kraken beat the Hurricanes last season. It won’t happen in Helsinki, unless the ‘Canes Cup hangover is a doozy.
5) What are the chances at some point this season the Seattle line-up will ever include Jared McCann and Bobby McMann, Kaapo Kakko and Nikke Kokko, and Ryker Evans and Ryden Evers?
Simmer: It would have to be at the end of the season, and even then, slim to none. Injuries? McCann still here? Evers just turned 21 and is another center.
Glenn: This question is much more fun if you read the names out loud – right, John Forslund and Everett Fitzhugh?
We shall see! Enjoy The Hockey Action!!
