Vince Dunn’s long-awaited return to the Seattle Kraken lineup on Saturday did not disappoint. After missing significant time, Dunn re-entered the fray and immediately looked like the team’s best defender. Despite not registering any points, a common challenge for Kraken players, Dunn’s performance stood out as the most productive among those who did not appear on the scoresheet. Logging the second most ice time among defensemen, trailing only Brandon Montour, Dunn showed no signs of rust.
Reuniting with longtime partner Adam Larsson, Dunn brought stability to the top pairing, reigniting a tandem that boasts a stellar plus-34 point differential over the past two seasons. However, his return caused a ripple effect throughout the defensive lineup, exposing weaknesses in the lower pairings.
Defensive pairing dilemmas
With Dunn back alongside Larsson, Ryker Evans, who admirably filled Dunn’s spot during his absence, was moved down to pair with Montour. This adjustment pushed Jamie Oleksiak to the third pairing alongside Will Borgen. While such shuffling is common, the game against the San Jose Sharks revealed potential issues with these new combinations.
Evans, who has shown offensive promise and steady, if not perfect, defensive play this season, struggled mightily. Saturday marked his worst defensive outing of the year, raising questions about his fit alongside Montour. Though this pairing has potential to improve over time, it comes at a cost: leaving Oleksiak and Borgen together, a duo that has consistently underperformed.
When Oleksiak and Borgen share the ice, the results are troubling. This season, the tandem has allowed eight goals while scoring none. Their struggles are not new; last year, they posted a minus-8 goal differential, the third worst among Kraken pairings last season. While Borgen’s defensive limitations are well-documented, the continued pairing with Oleksiak exacerbates the team’s vulnerability on the back end.
Exploring alternatives
Dunn’s return is undeniably a boost for the Kraken’s defensive core, but the team must address the glaring inefficiencies in the third pairing. Evans’ offensive capabilities make him a valuable asset, but placing him with Montour might not be the best strategic move if it means leaving Oleksiak and Borgen together.
A potential solution could involve bringing Cale Fleury back into the lineup. Pairing Fleury with Oleksiak could provide a sturdier defensive foundation for the third pairing, allowing the Evans and Montour duo more freedom to develop offensively without the fear of costly mistakes dragging the team down.
The Kraken’s defensive shake-up has brought both promise and concern. While Dunn and Larsson’s reunion should anchor the team’s blue line, finding the right balance in the lower pairings is crucial to Seattle’s success. With options like Fleury waiting in the wings, the Kraken have tools to experiment with, but time will tell if they can solidify a defensive lineup that minimizes goals against while maximizing contributions across all three pairings.