Seattle Kraken Trade Suitors Invade The Greenhouse
On the Bubble
Vegas Golden Knights (68 points)
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.
After signing Ben Hutton to a two-year extension, the Golden Knights have 8 waiver-eligible defensemen under contract (or team-controlled RFA) for next season.
Miromanov is knocking on the door; Korzcak is close.
The trade winds are blowing.#VegasBorn
— Jack Manning (@NHLJackManning) March 7, 2022
Dallas Stars (67 points)
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.
Nashville Predators (66 points)
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?
Rebuilding Early
Chicago Black Hawks (48 points)
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.
New Jersey Devils (45 points)
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.
With the @NHL trade deadline approaching, #SeaKraken fans can expect GM Ron Francis & the Kraken Hockey Ops Staff to be active as they look to get a strong head start on what will be an aggressive and busy summer for the organization.
Learn more → https://t.co/KWNLzV3s50 pic.twitter.com/DxSN1EzYHm
— Seattle Kraken (@SeattleKraken) March 7, 2022
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. ⚓