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
Seattle Kraken
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
Americans have a tendency to forget that there is more than just the NHL, AHL, and the NCAA in the United States. We hear rumors of other leagues existing — the KHL, the SHL, and the SM-Liiga, for instance, but all of these are overseas and out of sight and, therefore, out of mind. However,
This past National Hockey League season was interrupted by COVID-19. With the virus continuing to limit travel and likely shortening the 2020-21 season as well, the Seattle Kraken will be faced with a problem they likely didn’t expect when the league’s board of governors originally granted them a franchise. Not only will they have difficulty
Pretty soon the NHL will have its 32nd franchise in the Seattle Kraken. It’s an exciting time for fans and pundits alike as we get to project what their roster will look like once the expansion draft is over at the end of the 2020-21 season. Just like when the Vegas Golden Knights drafted their
The Seattle Kraken have a realistic shot to snag former 30-goal scorer James van Riemsdyk in next summer’s NHL Expansion Draft. Though currently a member of the Philadelphia Flyers, he will likely be unprotected in the draft. This is because the Flyers simply have too many young stars who they need to protect. That makes
In today’s NHL rumor rundown, did the St. Louis Blues just confirm their interest in forward Mike Hoffman? What about the Boston Bruins? They might find room if Hoffman is still available near the start of the season. Are there updates on Ottawa Senators prospect Tim Stutzle and the chances he joins Senators’ training camp?
At the end of the 2020-21 season, the NHL will welcome its 32nd franchise, the Seattle Kraken. With a new team comes another expansion draft just like with the Vegas Golden Knights in 2017. In the Vegas expansion draft, the Washington Capitals lost defenseman Nate Schmidt, who turned out to have a vital role in
There has been plenty of speculation and guessing on who will be the Seattle Kraken’s first head coach. A few high-profile names have been mentioned repeatedly as candidates for the job. Gerard Gallant, Mike Babcock, and Peter Laviolette being the most prominent. Laviolette is now off the table after being hired by the Washington Capitals