The Seattle Kraken have spent their first few seasons building a reputation as a structured, hardworking team, but what they’ve lacked, and what fans have begged for, is a true difference-maker with a lethal shot. Enter Jani Nyman.
Nyman quickly made it clear that he doesn’t just belong at Kraken camp, he belongs in the NHL.
The 21-year-old forward has elevated his game in every way this preseason. Watching him on the ice, it’s hard not to notice how much he’s improved his transition play. A few months ago, he was struggling to keep pace and force chances off the rush.
Now, he’s flying into the zone, reading plays, and slipping into the soft spots where scorers live. That’s the kind of growth that makes you believe this isn’t just a prospect, this is a player who’s ready now.
He’s also been lighting up the scoresheet this preseason, proving those improvements are translating directly into production.
And then there’s the shot. Holy one-timer
Nyman already owns the best one-timer on this team, and it isn’t close. The Kraken’s power play has lacked a consistent trigger man, but with Nyman in the mix, that could finally change.
His release is quick, powerful, and accurate, the type of weapon opponents must gameplan around. Designing plays to feed him on the man advantage isn’t just an option; it should be a priority.
Of course, he isn’t perfect. At 6’4” with NHL size, you’d like to see him win more board battles and hold his ground a bit better against physical defenders.
He can still get knocked off the puck at times. But those are teachable areas, and his skating, now hovering slightly below league average, has improved enough to make him a real threat in all situations.
The Kraken need goals. They need finishers who can tilt games with one shot. Nyman is that player.
Sending him back to the AHL would not only slow his momentum, it would rob Seattle of exactly what they’d been missing: a dynamic shooter who can change the look of this offense overnight.
It’s time to be excited, Kraken fans. Jani Nyman isn’t just another prospect. He’s the shooter this team has been waiting for, and he’s ready to make an impact right now.