The Seattle Kraken are undoubtedly a captivating team in the NHL this season, as they strive to provide evidence that their success last season was no accident. They entered the league with high expectations, fueled in part by the belief that they couldn’t possibly maintain their last-place, five-on-five save percentage from their inaugural season. However, few could have predicted that they would reach the second round of the playoffs and eliminate the reigning champion Colorado Avalanche. Going into this season, the sentiment had shifted, with many anticipating a regression due to their league-leading five-on-five shooting percentage of 10.3% in 2022-23. As it turns out, the Kraken’s early-season performance has indeed seen a significant decline in their five-on-five shooting percentage (4.6%, ranking 29th in the league) and five losses in their first seven games.
“Last year, we significantly exceeded the average shooting percentage,” commented Kraken head coach Dave Hakstol in an interview with The Athletic this week. “After Game 3 or Game 4, I looked at it and saw that we were at 2.2 percent or something like that. That’s considerably below average. We need to find that balance around 7 or 8 percent – that’s where I believe we’ll eventually settle. Until then, we need to find different ways to generate more offense. Defensively, we’ve been solid, but we need to eliminate a few catastrophic mistakes that lead to goals against us. Apart from that, we’ve been strong defensively.”
The team’s recent 5-4 overtime victory against the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday, which marked only their second game of the season with two or more goals, hinted at the equilibrium Hakstol envisions. Their shooting percentage in that game was an impressive 13.2%. It’s important to note that there is still room for regression, but the main question remains: how will this balanced Kraken team perform this season as they strive to secure another playoff berth? Last year, they led the NHL with 13 players scoring in double digits, making them one of the league’s most well-rounded teams to coach.
“Balance is a significant strength for certain teams, and we happen to be one of those teams,” acknowledged Hakstol. “We need to rely on that balance while prioritizing consistency and sustaining it throughout the entire 60 minutes of play. “
What makes the Kraken particularly fascinating is their four-line depth, although this has been tested by early-season injuries to Brandon Tanev and Andre Burakovsky. Hakstol’s approach to line matchups varies depending on the specific game. In their first seven games this season, the Kraken have had nine forwards averaging 15 or more minutes per game, with none exceeding 19 minutes. In comparison, Hakstol’s previous NHL team, the Maple Leafs, has five forwards averaging 15 or more minutes per game, but their star trio of Auston Matthews (23:05), Mitch Marner (22:54), and William Nylander (20:08) all exceed the 20-minute mark. Currently, Alex Wennberg leads the Kraken forwards with an average ice time of 18:51 per game, closely followed by Matt Beniers at 18:38.
Realistically, if the opportunity presented itself, the Kraken would undoubtedly welcome a player of Matthews’ caliber onto their team. Unfortunately, options like that were not available during the expansion draft. Nonetheless, their scoring-by-committee approach proved successful last season. While the Kraken may distribute ice time more evenly, I asked Hakstol whether this provides him with more flexibility in terms of in-game matchups.
“Matchups can vary. Sometimes, we enter a game with specific matchups in mind, but early on, we realize that the best course of action is to focus on finding our rhythm rather than worrying about matchups,” Hakstol explained. “This is evaluated on a game-by-game basis. On an individual level, every player wants to feel responsible and crucial to their team’s success. For us, this is truly the case. Every forward and defenseman in the lineup understands that they have the opportunity to contribute and make a difference in the game. This differs from situations where roles may be more limited.”
Unfortunately, the Kraken will now face a test of their depth due to Burakovsky’s six to eight-week absence as a result of an upper-body injury/surgery, as announced by the team on Monday. Last season, Burakovsky recorded 39 points in 49 games.
“I feel for him,” expressed Hakstol. “He was trying to make a comeback after a significant injury that kept him out for the last few months of last season. We began to see glimpses of his true self during the first two periods of the game last Saturday before he got injured. Now he faces another six to eight weeks on the sidelines. Unfortunately, it’s the reality of the situation.”
However, the theory that will be tested in this scenario is whether the Kraken’s balanced roster, rather than relying on certain star players, can better withstand such injuries. Depth scoring is expected to be a defining characteristic of the Kraken.
“Yes, that’s what we’re still aiming for this year,” confirmed Hakstol (our conversation occurred prior to the team’s five-goal outburst in Detroit). “Scoring hasn’t been quite there yet, although we’ve had our chances. We haven’t generated as much offense, and the puck hasn’t found the net for us yet. However, we’re a team that spreads the scoring and relies on contributions from throughout our lineup. We’ll adapt to Burky’s absence, and given that Tanev has been out since Game 1, we’ve already been adjusting.”
For the win in Detroit, Hakstol made adjustments by shuffling three of his four forward lines, resulting in the team’s dominant performance in five-on-five play, shots on goal, and shot attempts. It was an impressive road effort. Now, the Kraken must aim to build on this success after a challenging start to the season.
“What needs to continue for us is consistency and maintaining the intensity of our play,” stressed Hakstol. “For the majority of last year, we were able to sustain a level of play that was comparable to playoff hockey, but we have yet to consistently reach that level this season. We’ve glimpsed it during games and for stretches of games, but we haven’t achieved it consistently throughout a full 60-minute match.”
Mentally, the Kraken must understand that reaching the second round of the playoffs does not signify fulfillment this season. Some may roll their eyes when coaches emphasize the need to redefine the team’s identity each year, but it is something they genuinely believe.
“I stated this from the beginning,” affirmed Hakstol. “I’m not attempting to compare anything to a Stanley Cup run or anything of that nature, but sometimes there is a bit of a hangover. Our team may be experiencing a slight hangover. Everyone felt great about last year, but we must put in the effort to reset and reestablish our foundation. Every team is unique; every team is somewhat different. We all know that we can’t just show up and pick up where we left off.”
The Kraken defied expectations last season and have had a bumpy start this year. They have 75 games remaining to prove their critics wrong, all while maintaining their reputation as the league’s most balanced offense.
Sarah Anderson dives into the fast-paced world of NHL hockey. Her coverage includes game analysis, player spotlights, and the latest news from the ice. Sarah’s dedication to the sport ensures that hockey enthusiasts stay informed about the NHL’s thrilling action.
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