The Seattle Kraken lost 5-3 to the Predators in Nashville on Thursday night, wrapping up the on-ice action about 15 hours ahead of the NHL trade deadline.
A notable absence from the Kraken line-up; energy guy, penalty killer, veteran fan favorite Brandon Tanev. “Turbo” was sat out for purposes of Seattle making him part of a trade. As of 9 pm pacific time on Thursday night, a deal hadn’t been made for the pending unrestricted free agent (UFA).
Although Seattle jumped out on top against the Predators just 32-seconds into the game with a goal from defenseman Adam Larsson, it didn’t take long for the visitors to fall behind.
Filip Forsberg scored for the Preds to tie things up in the first and scored again in the 2nd period, along with goals from D-man Brady Skjei (“Shay”) and Michael McCarron to give Nashville a 4-1 lead.
It felt like a “friendly”. While there was some physicality — Eeli Tolvanen led the way with six hits — the Kraken went long stretches playing without much precision. At one point they were behind in shots-on-goal 22-9.
Playing out the string on the season often brings a lack of desire and focus.
There were two or three Seattle skaters playing with a different kind of motivation. Former 2021 5th-round NHL draft pick Jacob Melanson made his NHL debut, while Ben Meyers played in just his 8th ever game for the Kraken.
While neither forward factored in the scoring, Melanson delivered four hits while Meyers offered up three. He also finished a plus-one in the game, the only Kraken forward to do so.
Michael Eyssimont, acquired in the trade with the Tampa Bay Lightning on Wednesday for Yanni Gourde and Oliver Bjorkstrand, wanted to make a good first impression and he did so. He scored the final goal of the night with a give-and-go, tip-in on a feed from blueliner Josh Mahura.
Friday we’ll find out where Tanev might be headed. Saturday Seattle continues its three-game roadie against the Philadelphia Flyers.
