Sean Maloughney: Did the Kraken Get "Good" Too Soon?

Yes. For fans, mediocrity is the absolute worst place to be in this league. Wild and Flyers are prime examples of perpetually being middle of the league forever. Profitable for ownership. Infuriating for fans.

Yes. For fans, mediocrity is the absolute worst place to be in this league. Wild and Flyers are prime examples of perpetually being middle of the league forever. Profitable for ownership. Infuriating for fans.
- jfkst1

At least the Wild have Kaprizov and Boldy and the Flyers with Michkov look like they have a potential elite player. I don’t see the proof yet that the Kraken have anyone that tracks that way.

At least the Wild have Kaprizov and Boldy and the Flyers with Michkov look like they have a potential elite player. I don’t see the proof yet that the Kraken have anyone that tracks that way.
- freelancer

The NHL isn't a superstar league. Depth wins SCs all the time without generational talents. Last two SCs winners being prime examples.

The NHL isn't a superstar league. Depth wins SCs all the time without generational talents. Last two SCs winners being prime examples.
- jfkst1

The last two Stanley Cup winners include the Panthers were Barkov a former second overall pick, Ekblad a former first overall, and Matt Tkachuk, a 6th overall. The Golden Knights had Eichel, a second overall and Pietrangelo a 4th overall selection. These may not be generational talents but they are certainly high end elite players in the game. I don't see anyone close to even this level of pedigree on the Kraken.

I dont think the team got good too soon. RF retooled that roster hard and players came up big despite the Hakstol coaching shortcomings. Teams also took them for granted early and were burned. Last season the flaws were still there, injuries hammered them, and they had cooled off while the league viewed them more seriously.

This team has begun the transition to its drafted talent atarting to come in. New coaching and system should help. I would expect them to be faster and hungrier, and hopefully protect Gru and Daccord far more. I think they will be in there and challenging and if LA, Vancouver, or Vegas backslide at all they could very easily push themselves into playoffs. The young guys developing in Coachella with back to back runs to the Calder finals

Thanks Sean, they’re not good yet, let alone too good. They might be good enough to squeak in to the playoffs if they can stay around the wild card spots, or two of LA, Van, Vegas have something go seriously wrong