It’s been a tough go lately for Kraken sparkplug Brandon Tanev. The popular energy forward known as “Turbo” is out for a second time this season and the third time in his Seattle tenure. He missed most of the inaugural season to a major knee injury and surgery. In 2022-’23 he bounced back and played in all 82 games.
This time he’s day-to-day after missing 14 games earlier this season to a lower body injury, hopefully not the exact same one. Either way, the Kraken called up forward Andrew Poturalski from the Coachella Valley Firebirds of the American Hockey League. The 29-year-old right shot forward has seven points in eleven AHL games. An earlier call-up this season didn’t result in any NHL playing time.
Kraken Crease
Philipp Grubauer is back and travelling with the team after missing two games to injury. Chris Driedger, called up to fill in behind Joey Daccord against the Sharks on Wednesday and the Canucks on Friday, was sent back down to Coachella Valley over the weekend. “Grooby” will likely ease back in with at least one start during this road trip, one that sees the Kraken playing in Chicago and then three games north of the border.
Daccord didn’t really stake a claim to the number-one role in his partner’s absence. Neither regular goalie for Seattle this season is putting up sterling numbers, likely more a reflection of overall team play rather than that of the netminders.
Of course, goalies can steal games, something fans would love to see sooner than later. It really hasn’t happened yet, at least not this campaign.
This might be an opportunity to see if one will emerge by giving them two starts each on the four-game roadie.
Still Missing
Andre Burakovsky was considered a key addition to the Kraken line-up when he left the defending Stanley Cup champion Colorado Avalanche in the summer of 2022 and signed in Seattle as a free agent.
Last season he tore a groin on February 7th and missed the rest of the regular season and playoffs. It came immediately following the NHL All-Star break and a Kraken bye week.
This October, in the 6th game of the season on the 21st against the New York Rangers, Burakovsky was injured on a cheap hit by New York Rangers defenseman Jacob Trouba.
He’s been out since.
Burakovsky skated with the team in a red jersey on Friday but is not expected back for at least another week.
Tough stuff for a team that could use his skills. He was the club’s leading scorer at the time of his injury last season.
The rest of the Kraken line-up appears healthy heading into Tuesday’s game against the Blackhawks.
ICYMI:
— Simmer’s Sunday 9: Kraken Roadie, Head Slash, Trade Rumors
