Seattle Kraken Training Camp News

The Seattle Kraken Training Camp begins next week and the team and fans are excited to build on the success from year two. Finally, it is time to return to hockey. Arguably the most exciting time of the year, fans will get a chance to see their favorite returning players, new faces, and the kids from the farm.

On September 21, the team will kick off Training Camp at the Kraken Community Iceplex. In the next two weeks, around 60 players will take the ice in camp. Fans will be able to view eight practice sessions and five pre-season games.

Then the regular season begins.

We finally have hockey again. Life is back to normal.

No doubt that fans will be lining up to view Kraken stars and holdovers Brandon Tanev, Jordan Eberle, Jared McCann. Matty Beniers, and Vince Dunn. I am curious which of these beaut’s jerseys will be the most popular. My money says that Beneirs jersey will dominate stands at the Iceplex as well as Climate Pledge Arena this season.

I am most excited to see the return of goalie Chris Driedger, the development of last year’s number 4 overall pick Shane Wright, and rookie defenseman Ryker Evans. Evans has the greatest opportunity to find immediate success as he dominated with Coachella Valley of the AHL last season. There is an opening too as the team could use another puck moving defenseman who can jump in the rush.

Wright will have every chance to make the opening night roster and stick around for a full season, but it will be interesting to see where he lands in the Kraken lineup. The team’s greatest asset is it’s depth upfront. I see Wright starting the season centering the 3rd line, or possibly 4th. It will all come down to how he performs this preseason, and how well he meshes with his potential line mates. If he does not have a great camp, GM Ron Francis has already said that Wright “will be allowed to play in AHL if he can’t make NHL squad”.

Driedger returns to the team to back up/split starts with franchise goalie Philipp Grubauer. No slam on Gru, but the team’s weakest position group is goaltending. The Kraken will need Driedger to steal a few wins here and there, and play much better hockey than departed Martin Jones. Jones won 27 games last season due to an insane amount of offensive support. Let me say that again, 27 wins. The team supported Jones with a crazy 3.8 goals per game. Do not expect this type of support again. Driedger will get his chance to prove once and for all that he should be on this roster.

Oh, and Driedger has the best helmet in the NHL. Hands down.

Stay tuned as the team hits the ice shortly!

Fear the deep!