Top-pair Seattle Kraken defenseman Vince Dunn didn’t participate in training camp on Monday. Nor did he play in Tuesday night’s 4-1 preseason loss to the Edmonton Oilers.
So it was reassuring to see Dunn skate without an apparent hitch in his giddy-up during Tuesday’s optional practice at Kraken Community Iceplex.
We’ll update this story should the Kraken provide details about Dunn’s prior absences. This summer, Dunn signed a new four year deal with an AAV of $7.35 million, making him the highest paid member of the roster.
Kraken Accentuating The Positives
Speaking about the loss to the Oilers in Seattle’s final home preseason tune-up, Kraken fans shouldn’t despair. These games are much more about evaluations than outcomes.
Seattle outshot the Oilers 33-14, thwarted only by the outstanding play of Edmonton goalie Jack Campbell. Kraken coach Dave Hakstol liked a lot about what he evaluated.
“We were better in the offensive zone, in terms of our mentality. We didn’t give up a whole lot on the defensive side. We were better there, quicker, heavier.”
The coach still wants to see his team be quicker in transition.
“We were a little bit slow there. That’s just repetition, cohesion, getting back to it. We had some good, but consistently, we need to be quicker.”
Seattle Special Teams Deliver
Hakstol praised his power play, which went 1-5 against the Oilers on a Kailer Yamamoto goal.
“A lot of progress, power play-wise,” he said. “Not only the goal that was scored, but other opportunities. We had some really good looks. Now, we have to take the next step and finish those.”
Kraken penalty killing went 4-4, as Hakstol deployed players for evaluation while shorthanded, too. One of those was AHL rookie of the year Tye Kartye.
“He’s going to get in lanes, he’s going to block shots,” said the coach. “There’s a couple of things he’s going to learn out of (the game) – he lost a couple of seams. Those are things you learn through repetition.”
Abbotsford Centre Hosts Next Kraken Game
Although Abbotsford, BC is just 45 miles southeast of the Vancouver Canucks home rink, the city hosted the AHL affiliate of the Calgary Flames from 2009-2014. In 2021, Vancouver moved its AHL team from Utica, New York to Abbotsford, which is why that will be the location as the Canucks host Seattle Wednesday night.
The preseason concludes Friday, Oct. 6 in Edmonton with a Seattle rematch.
Recent Kraken:
— Simmer’s Sunday 9: Kraken Line-up, Sleds, Waivers, Pod
