I have always been fascinated by the concept of fan territories. When meeting someone from outside a major metropolitan region, I often ask which teams their community cheers for. I moved to the Pacific Northwest last year and am especially interested in observing the growth of the Seattle Kraken in my new community. Considering the
Seattle Kraken
The playoffs have begun. The now summer showdown between four teams in every division means that the end is near. There is a light at the end of the tunnel that represents the offseason. With the offseason comes expansion. It isn’t an expansion of the rules or expansion of the nets, but instead, expansion of teams.
A strong penalty kill is a key to success in the NHL. The Seattle Kraken has an opportunity to build one of the strongest penalty kills in the league as some penalty kill specialists will be available through free agency. Here are five players Seattle should target during the offseason. Alex Wennberg: Wennberg ranked third
In today’s NHL rumors rundown, how bad is the trade looking for the New York Islanders that brought Kyle Palmieri and Travis Zajac to the club? What does it mean for their respective futures? Conversely, how good are things looking in Boston where new Bruins’ forward Taylor Hall looks pretty good? The Toronto Maple Leafs
In today’s NHL rumors rundown, there are updates out of Montreal where the Canadiens have commented on if they’ll play Cole Caufield. At the same time, there are behind-the-scenes details emerging when it comes to the rumors about what happened with defenseman Tony DeAngelo. The Toronto Maple Leafs should be getting a key forward back
The Seattle Kraken are beginning to set sail into their inaugural season. With the expansion draft coming up on July 21, the Kraken fan base will be eager to see what their future may hold. The city of Seattle has always had a notoriously good sports atmosphere around it. Whether it be the Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Kraken, like all NHL organizations, are going to need a quality leadership group next season if they are going to be successful in their inaugural year. When looking back on the Carolina Hurricanes team that general manager Ron Francis had managed, they always consisted of a well-respected leadership group. Whether it was the
The National Hockey League’s playoffs are rapidly approaching, and things could look very different this season. Not only do teams need to consider their own strengths and weaknesses as they relate to potential playoff runs, but COVID-related quarantine periods will also factor in, as will the thought that a piece they gain for the remainder
I recently wrote an article highlighting young players or prospects that the Seattle Kraken could target in the Expansion Draft. While this is a worthwhile approach that I believe they should use, it is not very conducive to Stanley Cup contention in the short term. If Seattle hopes to contend from its inception, as I
This week the Buffalo Sabres made the unavoidable decision to relieve head coach Ralph Krueger of his duties. The Sabres, as has so often been the case in recent years, are having an awful season. A series of Covid-19 cases ravaged the team in February, and their captain suffered a neck injury that has kept
In today’s NHL rumors rundown, what does the hiring of Darryl Sutter mean for a player like Sam Bennett? Is he still likely to be traded, or this is a fresh start for the forward? Meanwhile, the Buffalo Sabres a “wide open” to making a trade, but which players are generating the most interest? Which
In the Scotiabank North Division, teams have been battling each other for more than a month. The All-Canadian division has suffered very few COVID-19 related interruptions compared to the divisions south of the border, other than some extended quarantines and a recent inconclusive test that caused Edmonton Oiler winger Jesse Puljujärvi to miss a single
It’s been a crazy year for every National Hockey League franchise. Adding a pandemic and interrupted season, playoff bubbles, and flat salary caps into the mix threw the most competent franchises for a loop. But none have come as far as the Seattle Kraken, the NHL’s newest franchise. The team is under seven months away
With the Seattle Kraken expansion draft less than a year away, every team across the NHL is looking at their roster and starting to decide which players should be protected, and who could be expendable. In a recent conversation with Lead Off, NHL insider Luke Fox discussed a few Toronto Maple Leafs that could potentially
In today’s NHL rumor rundown, there is some kickback to the earlier reports that Max Pacioretty is in play on the trade market. Who is right when it comes to the reported rumor the Golden Knights are trying to move the forward? But, there is also talk that numerous teams have checked in with the
In today’s NHL rumor rundown, the Montreal Canadiens will have a decision to make with center Phillip Danault, but one scribe is not convinced the team will trade or sign him. There’s also talk about who the the team might lose during the Seattle expansion draft. In Vegas, the Golden Knights are reportedly seeking a
The debut of the NHL’s 32nd franchise, the Seattle Kraken, is approaching quickly, and once again the San Jose Sharks will have to give one of their players away in yet another expansion draft. They got away lucky last time with the last team, the Vegas Golden Knights, with them selecting David Schlemko, who was
In today’s NHL rumor rundown, could the Winnipeg Jets be eyeing the new Seattle Kraken franchise as a trade destination for Patrik Laine? What are the Chicago Blackhawks going to do with their surplus of players? In Detroit, the coach believes they might be thin in one area. Will they add? Finally, a few NHL