Mark Giordano, Seattle Kraken.
The NHL Trade Deadline is two weeks away on March 21st. And the Seattle Kraken should be mathematically eliminated from making the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs by then. We know players will be dealt, and there’s no chance of an expansion draft do-over. With around 25 games left in the regular season, here’s a rundown of 12 teams who have scouted games at The Greenhouse since February 23rd.
Leading the race for President’s Trophy (most points) right now, the Avs score a lot. But they give up almost three goals per game with a low save percentage. Colorado is penalty prone, and their kill is under 80 percent. Just for good measure, that also lost the most faceoffs so far.
If not Patrick Kane from the Hawks or a cleaner defenseman, could the Avalanche possibly want a Philipp Grubauer reunion to exorcise the demons of last year’s playoff run?
If the back-to-back Stanley Cup Champions are going to complete a three-peat, they need to stay out of the box and block more shots. The Bolts are second in the league in shot percentage but are near the bottom in shots taken. Giving up few shots on goal, but also near the bottom with blocked shots, TBL is still trending a low save percentage between the pipes. Seattle’s Vince Dunn fits the bill with 88 shots and 53 blocked shots so far this season.
Pittsburgh is a great team right now. No surprise about their winning streak before the all-star break with excellent penalty killing and goaltending. The Pens hit a lot but also stay out of the sin-bin while doing it. While they take many shots, their scoring percentage is low and could also use better power play numbers. Yanni Gourde is among the Seattle Kraken top five in both categories.
Mark Giordano‘s former team is truly on fire right now. They lead the league in fewest goals against (133) and fewest shots allowed. Their 10 shutouts are number one in the league. Maybe there is a need for players who take fewer penalties, but the team is also near the top in penalty killing and goaltending performance. Really there are no trade needs here besides the possible return of a reliable former captain.
The Panthers have plenty of offense, leading the league in goals (225) and shots per game (37). But their weakness at the moment is on defense, allowing lots of shots and goals per game in return. Florida also needs a better penalty kill and faceoff percentage. This year, the Big Rig Jamie Oleksiak is a +3 for the Kraken and is in the team’s top five for hits and blocks.
The Maple Leafs are excellent special teamers, leading the league in powerplay percentage, least penalty minutes (385), shorthanded goals (8) and have only given up one shorthanded goal in 181 times on the PK. But the team could use better goaltending, be more physical towards opponents and block more shots. Seattle’s Adam Larsson could bring that presence with 127 hits and 103 blocks so far this year.
The Bruins are getting great defense and goaltending despite Tuukka Rask‘s retirement. The problem is Boston shoots a lot but need more scoring and less time in the penalty box. Seattle Kraken forward Calle Jarnkrok could be a good option with 12 goals and only two penalty minutes in 2021-22.
The Golden Knights have eight shorthanded goals, but they need better special teams on the whole. They also lead the league in blocked shots (930) but could hit more and win more faceoffs. Goaltending is also a concern without Marc-Andre Fleury in the tandem anymore. Seattle’s Chris Driedger could be an excellent crease partner with Robin Lehner.
The Stars have a stingy defense but need better special teams along with more shots and scoring to get into the playoffs. Ryan Donato could be a big addition to Big D. He’s in the top five in both Kraken shots and goals this year.
The Predators have a good powerplay, goaltending, and are very physical. But they could take more shots and lead the league in penalty minutes with 698. That’s almost 200 more than the average of 499! With 75 shots and four penalty minutes, is it time for Marcus Johansson to return to the Music City from Seattle?
Caleb Jones is the only Blackhawks player with a positive plus/minus at one. It’s possible they might move big names like Marc-Andre Fleury, Patrick Kane, or Dylan Strome before the deadline. If the Seattle Kraken make a deal with the Windy City squad, they can’t do any worse than last July during the expansion draft with an unsigned pick. Former Jets center Mason Appleton is a Kraken name who could have another fresh start back in the Central Division.
Former Seattle expansion pick Nathan Bastian leads the Devils with 61 penalty minutes. Among the New Jersey players circulating in trade rumors are P.K. Subban, Damon Severson, and Pavel Zacha. And Jersey is only behind the Kraken for the worst save percentage in the league. Morgan Geekie leads the Kraken in faceoff percentage and could return for another fresh start back in the Metropolitan Division.
The next 14 days should be very entertaining, with rumors and surprise deals being made around the league. Enjoy your daydreams and #HockeyTwitter to the fullest, as we hope the Seattle Kraken can have a greater vision for the future come April. Or at least a longer winning streak before golf in May. ⚓