Seattle waves goodbye to Sprong

It’s been an up-and-down rollercoaster ride for Daniel Sprong in Seattle this season, and it all came to a head when the Kraken placed him on waivers. As a devoted fan who fondly recalls his last stint in the Emerald City, I can’t help but feel a bit disappointed—yet I understand the team’s decision.

Sprong was initially brought back to Seattle in a low-risk trade with the Vancouver Canucks for “future considerations.” Fans like myself were stoked about his return because, let’s face it, the guy put up some of his career-best numbers the last time he wore a Kraken sweater. Sprong netted 21 goals and 46 points in just 66 games a couple of seasons ago, proving he could be a real spark plug on offense. However, under new head coach Dan Bylsma, Sprong never quite found a permanent spot in the lineup.

His combined stats this season—two goals and five points in 19 appearances between Vancouver and Seattle—tell the story of a player who just couldn’t break through. He’s been a healthy scratch for the Kraken’s past four games, and you could sense the writing was on the wall even before Kaapo Kakko joined the team last month. Once Kakko arrived, Sprong’s opportunities shrunk even further, and it became clear there simply wasn’t enough room on Seattle’s crowded wing depth chart.

It’s not all bad news, though. While fans—myself included—will miss the flashes of brilliance and the offensive upside Sprong once brought to this roster, at least now he’ll have a shot to catch on elsewhere and earn significant minutes. You never want to see a fan favorite relegated to the press box night after night, especially one who has demonstrated the potential to score in bunches when given the chance.

From a team perspective, the Kraken have struggled to maintain a playoff spot this season. With the group underperforming and now drifting further out of contention, this move could be the first of several aimed at retooling the lineup. Veteran players might be on the move to make room for younger talent—a reality that, while a little nerve-wracking, is often part of building a strong future core.

As a Kraken fan, I’ll always remember Sprong for the excitement he brought during his first run in Seattle. But if the coaching staff isn’t giving him ice time, then waiving him is the right call for both sides. Here’s hoping he finds the right situation to reignite his scoring touch—just hopefully not against the Kraken in the future!