Shane Wright with Oliver Bjorkstrand and Eeli Tolvanen was the best line on the ice in Abbotsford Wednesday night as the Kraken beat the Canucks 2-1 in preseason action. The club has decisions to make as it relates to Wright, defenseman Ryker Evans, who didn’t appear to be at his best, and goalie Joey Daccord, who’s looking to beat out Chris Driedger for the back-up goalie spot. (Details on the battles coming this afternoon.)
“We’ve got one game left so we’ll decide what that roster’s going to look like and how close it’ll look to our regular season line-up,” Kraken head coach Dave Hakstol said postgame. “We’ve got some things to talk about after tonight and we’ll go from there.”
The game featured depth players, NHL hopefuls, and a handful of regular AHLers on both squads. The Kraken wrap up the preseason with what’s expected to be a full NHL line-up against the Oilers in Edmonton on Friday night.
Hakstol pointed out that the ice condition at Abbotsford Centre was poor, the flow of the game was nonexistent through two periods, and his club finally started shooting the puck in the 3rd period.
The Kraken had a total of six shots through the first two periods and added nine more in the third.
Kraken Cap
Seattle and the rest of the NHL will benefit from an increased salary cap for next season, according to Commissioner Gary Bettman, who addressed the media following the conclusion of an NHL Board of Governor’s meeting. It’s expected team general managers will have as much as $4.5-million more to work with starting next spring, moving up from $83.5-million, closer to $88-million.
“”The state of the League is very strong,” NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman told reporters following the meeting. “The game is in great shape. Our franchises have never been better owned or stronger, and we’re excited to have the start of another season upon us.”
We’ll have more later today on the league’s decision to hold it’s annual two-day Board of Governor’s meeting in Seattle rather than in Florida this December. The owners and/or their representatives will meet in ‘the Emerald City’ December 4th and 5th, a few weeks ahead of the annual Winter Classic that will be played at T-Mobile Park in New Year’s Day.
Bedard Fever
From all indications 2023 1st-overall NHL Draft pick Connor Bedard is the real deal. The rookie will play in his first preseason game Thursday night for the Chicago Blackhawks against the Minnesota Wild. The phenom will play his first official NHL game against his childhood hero Sidney Crosby and the PIttsburgh Penguins next Tuesday night.
How about them apples?! Let’s hope the opening face-off is between those two.
The North Vancouver, BC native swept the biggest awards in major junior hockey last season including most valuable player, leading scorer, and top prospect.
Ticket and jersey sales are ‘through the roof’ in Chicago as Bedard gets prepared to start his first season, and there’s been a residual bump in other markets as fans snap up tickets to see the 18-year-old play on the road.
The Kraken visit Chicago on November 28th. They host the Blackhawks on December 14th.
ICYMI:
— Kraken Hopeful Make Last Impression In 2-1 Win Over Vancouver
— Vince Dunn On Ice At The Kraken Optional Skate
