Thank you, Vancouver Canucks, for providing an excuse to revisit our favorite Chris Driedger visual during his time as a Seattle Kraken goalie.
Driedger was the Seattle backup in Washington on Jan. 11, 2024 when Joey Daccord made what’s become known in Kraken lore as the “scorpion” save. The Caps’ Connor McMichael thought he had Daccord down and out – because Daccord was down and out. McMichael, at the lip of the crease, lifted his shot above the prone goalie. But in desperation, Daccord raised his right leg to steal a sure goal.
Driedger, like all Kraken fans watching, sat wide-eyed with a full grin on the bench. Seattle prevailed in the battle of Washingtons, 4-1, running their winning streak to eight.
From Canucks Army: “Coming off back-to-back strong seasons as the Panthers’ backup, Driedger cashed in on free agency, earning a three-year, $3.5 million AAV deal with the Seattle Kraken. Over the course of that contract, Driedger suited up in only 29 games for the Kraken, posting a 10-15-1 record, a 2.93 goals against average, and a .900 save percentage.”
What do the Canucks have to do with any of this? They just signed Driedger to what’s called a “PTO,” a pro tryout. Driedger, who played in Russia last season, will be #4 on Vancouver’s netminding depth chart. He could stick if Thatcher Demko isn’t fully healthy by the start of the season.
A Number Of Matty Beniers Things
Advanced metrics paint a far more complimentary picture of Kraken center Matty Beniers than what’s evident in goal and assist totals.
A review of NHL Edge stats by NHL.com reveals that “Beniers was tied with (Jordan) Eberle for the Kraken’s most high-danger goals (16), with each forward ranking in the 92nd percentile at the position in that category. Beniers, who was tied with Eberle and Chandler Stephenson for Seattle’s most multi-point games (10 each), also ranked in the 80th percentile or higher among NHL forwards in other advanced metrics.”
Beniers’ numbers, with NHL percentile rank in parentheses:
- Hardest shot: 90.4 mph (85th)
- 20-plus mph speed bursts: 130 (82nd)
- High-danger shots on goal: 63 (87th)
- Mid-range shots on goal: 53 (85th)
- Total skating distance: 268 miles (98th)
- Power-play offensive zone time: 64% (96th)
Now Hear This, Seattle Fans
Maybe Jason Robertson didn’t want to sign with Seattle, but KJR-FM 93.3 does. The radio home of the Kraken has inked a multi-year extension of a partnership which goes back to the beginning of the franchise.
We’ve written often about a sad cost-cutting trend around the NHL which has doomed several teams’ radio broadcasts. Kraken radio voice Everett Fitzhugh addressed that with team editorial VP Geoff Baker.
“This is one of those rare cities in America where sports radio still matters. This is a market that’s always embraced radio. “It’s always embraced play-by-play. My first interview, (Kraken CEO) Tod (Leiweke) told me about growing up listening to radio and how he loves game broadcasts.”
Earlier Seattle:
— Who The Heck Is … Ryden Evers
Earlier Canucks:
— No Kraken, Canucks Centers In The NHL Top-20
Hey! – Look who we found. John Forslund with his thoughts on the Kraken 3 weeks from training camp …
