News and notes from aroiund the Kraken-verse.
Kraken Defenseman & Musical Director
Seattle Kraken defenseman Brandon Montour runs the music in the Kraken dressing room, just like he did with the Florida Panthers. Here’s what he had to say about it on CBC’s After Hours (above photo):
“It’s an important part of the locker room before games. When I first signed here, the music was lacking. It was pretty quiet. So I got on that right away. Every year I start a new playlist, probably 300+ songs. You’ve got Europeans, guys who like country, guys who like rap.”
About catering to the tastes of 20 strongly opinionated individuals, Monty said with a big grin, “I really don’t care.”
Accidental ‘After Hours’ Photobomb
The makeshift After Hours set was located between the Kraken dressing room and the main interview room where coach Lane Lambert takes questions. Montour’s inquisitor was Hockey Night In Canada staple Scott Oake, who’s stepping away after two decades of late Saturday night After Hours TV shows. Oake has been with Hockey Night since the 1980s.
As The Province explained, Oake is turning his attention full-time to “helping run the Bruce Oake Recovery Centre, named in memory of his son who died in 2011 after struggling with addiction, and the Anne Oake Recovery Centre, which when completed will offer 75 beds for women who are in recovery.”
Anne Oake, an addiction treatment advocate, died in 2021.
On the final Saturday of the regular season, Hockey Night ran a Scott Oake tribute montage – of which I was an accidental participant.
Kraken & Canucks Deserved Detention
If the 2025-26 Kraken and Vancouver Canucks were students, they’d be headed for remedial summer school. That’s according to grades handed out by Thomas Drance of The Athletic. Seattle received a C-.
“The Kraken faded down the stretch and missed the playoffs for a third consecutive year. That’s tough, especially in a crowded Seattle sports market in which the Kraken are still searching to gain a foothold five years into their existence.
“It wasn’t all bad, though. Lane Lambert’s first season behind the bench at least established a set identity for the club as a robust defensive side. The Kraken, however, continue to lack elite talent, and there are no easy answers for that issue.”
That’s glowing praise compared to Vancouver’s mark of F. “The Canucks won fewer games this season than in any other season in the franchise’s history. This was a season where the bottom fell out. Where the rebuild became a fact.”
Tyeing One On In Big Apple
Just as Eeli Tolvanen found a home in Seattle after the Nashville Predators put him on waivers, ex-Kraken Tye Kartye may have found new life with the New York Rangers.
Kartye, picked up by the Blueshirts on Feb. 27, scored twice and added an assist in the Rangers’ season-closing 4-2 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning. The dean of hockey writers, the venerable Stan “The Maven” Fischler, wrote in The Hockey News that Kartye was, “One of the Rangers’ best gets in years.”
The never-drafted winger rose from AHL 4th liner with the Coachella Valley Firebirds to that league’s rookie of the year. He scored three memorable goals for the Kraken in the 2023 playoffs, his NHL debut. The Kingston, Ont. native then played 180 regular season games here from 2023-26.
“I felt like I was having a good season before I left Seattle honestly,” Kartye said. “Maybe not statistically, but how I was playing. I just tried to continue that play here. The puck has gone in the net a little more for me here.”
Meet The Mets, Beat The Mets…
Speaking of the Rangers and Stan Fischler, The Maven asked me to send him three paragraphs for his THN column on the topic, “Who’s Worse, The Rangers Or The Mets?” As a fellow Brooklyn, NY native, I was honored to oblige.
In a bit borrowed from comedian Nick Bakay, let’s break down Rangers vs. Mets scientifically. (1) Captain. Rangers: J.T. Miller. Mets: None. Advantage: Mets. (2) Payroll. Rangers: $84 million. Mets: $375 million. Advantage: Rangers.
(3) Mascot. Rangers: None. Mets: Mr. and Mrs. Met. Advantage: Rangers. (4) Coach quote. Mike Sullivan: “We’re not in the position that we had hoped to be in.” Carlos Mendoza: “I’d be pissed too, if I was a fan.” Advantage: Mets. (5) Length of season. Rangers: 82 games. Mets: 162 games. Advantage: Rangers.
By a 3-2 final score, the Rangers “win.” What original Mets manager Casey Stengel said about his 1962 Amazin’s still applies to both teams. “Can’t anybody here play this game?”
Earlier Kraken:
— Kraken Fans Shouldn’t Fear Sonics Return
