We’re less than a month from the Kraken’s first preseason match, let alone training camp and rookie camp that will start ten days before that game. Or we should say “games” since the Seattle Kraken and Calgary Flames will be playing split squad matches in both cities on September 25th.
Kraken Are Skating
Certain guys skate periodically throughout the summer, some more than others, but by now, late August, most have donned the blades. Kraken winger Jared McCann posted an instragram video on Friday of him playing at the Scotiabank Pond in greater Toronto with a group that included his former Sault Ste. Marie (“Soo”) Greyhounds teammate and current Carolina Hurricanes forward Michael Bunting.
Still Shot From McCann’s Instragram Video on Friday
The two were left wings on the same Ontario Hockey League club for two seasons from 2013 to 2015. They finished second and third in team scoring that latter season, McCann with 81 points, Bunting 74. Both had been drafted into the NHL the previous summer, McCann 24th-overall to the Vancouver Canucks, Bunting in the 4th-round, 117th-overall to the Arizona Coyotes.
Their coach in the Soo was current Toronto Maple Leafs bench boss Sheldon Keefe. Bunting is coming off two 23-goal seasons with the Leafs. He signed with the Hurricanes this summer on the opening day of free agency.
McCann led the Kraken in scoring for the 2nd consecutive season, finishing 2022-’23 with 40 goals and 70 points.
Friday’s scrimmage looked vigorous, entertaining and competitive. Based on the video, the game was being officiated and was tied 3-3 late in the 2nd period.
Upcoming
In September, Kraken players will arrive in Seattle for informal pre-training camp skates, sometimes referred to as ‘captain’s skates’. Club personnel such as coaches and player development instructors are not allowed on the ice with the team. Support staff such as trainers and equipment managers are allowed to be on hand and help out with gear and any medical/therapy issues.
Those skates become official once the NHL training camp window opens and everyone’s allowed on the ice.
The Kraken have five preseason exhibition dates on the calendar before opening the regular season on October 10th in Las Vegas against the Golden Knights.
By the way, there’s still plenty of boating and golf course shots popping up on social media for a great number of different players. ‘Tis still the off-season.
Recents:
— Seattle Kraken Roll Call: Adam Larsson
— Seattle Kraken Roll Call: Vince Dunn
— Seattle Kraken Roll Call: Brandon Tanev
