Seattle Kraken: A Beginner’s Guide to the Pacific Division
Vegas Golden Knights
If the Seattle Kraken can accomplish half of what the Vegas Golden Knights did in their first few years in the NHL, they should be viewed as a success.
Formidable roster
The Golden Knights created a strong group of forwards, a defensive core that is certainly hard to play against even if it’s not the deepest, and have a former Vezina trophy finalist between the pipes. Forward-wise, they have quite a few difference-making forwards in their prime, including captain Mark Stone, Max Pacioretty, and Jonathan Marchessault.
During the off-season, Vegas added Evgenii Dadonov, who was disappointing with the Ottawa Senators will almost certainly bounce back this season. They also have fantastic depth, with forwards William Karlsson, Reilly Smith, and Alex Tuch being more than capable of stepping up in big moments.
On the blueline
Defensively, the Knights made their team infinitely stronger by adding Alex Pietrangelo to their blueline last year. Alec Martinez has been an unlikely hero for them as well, he’s seemingly turned back the clock, and last season played very similarly to when he was winning Stanley Cups with the Los Angeles Kings.
Shea Theodore is an original Golden Knight who continuously improves his game year after year. Nicolas Hague was one of the Knights’ first-ever draft picks, and he’s hoping to play his first full NHL season this upcoming year.
Replacing a Legend
Robin Lehner‘s career both on and off the ice is a story of struggle. This season he faces a different kind of adversary, the ghost of Marc-Andre Fleury. The Golden Knights made the unexpected decision to trade the reigning Vezina Trophy winner to the Chicago Blackhawks over the summer. A move that was very unpopular amongst their fans.
Robin Lehner needs to stand on his head this season for two reasons. First, the fans could turn on him. Worse, it could be the downfall of this team.
Pacific Northwest Sports welcomes William Espy to our team.