Seattle Kraken Focuses on Improving Goal Scoring and Special Teams

What's Happening?

The Seattle Kraken are addressing key areas to enhance their performance for the upcoming NHL season. The team has acquired Mason Marchment from the Dallas Stars to improve their in-zone results and create more scoring opportunities through screens, rebounds, and deflections. Additionally, the Kraken traded for Kaapo Kakko from the New York Rangers and are expecting contributions from Jani Nyman, who showed promise in his initial NHL games. Last season, Seattle ranked 16th in the league with an average of 2.99 goals per game. General Manager Jason Botterill emphasized the need to funnel more pucks to high-danger areas, which is a primary reason for acquiring players like Marchment. The Kraken are also focusing on improving their special teams, as their power play and penalty kill ranked 23rd and 21st respectively last season.

Why It's Important?

Improving goal scoring and special teams is crucial for the Seattle Kraken to become more competitive in the NHL. Enhancing these areas can lead to better overall team performance and potentially more wins. The acquisition of players like Mason Marchment and Kaapo Kakko is aimed at addressing these weaknesses, which could result in a stronger offensive presence and more effective special teams. Success in these areas is vital for the Kraken to advance in the league standings and possibly secure a playoff spot, which would be significant for the team's growth and fan engagement.

What's Next?

The Seattle Kraken will continue to integrate their new acquisitions into the team and focus on refining their strategies to improve goal scoring and special teams. The coaching staff will likely emphasize training sessions that focus on these areas, aiming to see tangible improvements as the season progresses. Monitoring the performance of players like Mason Marchment and Kaapo Kakko will be essential to assess the effectiveness of these changes. The team will also need to evaluate their younger players' development, particularly in understanding league dynamics and contributing to special teams.