Sean Maloughney: On The Season Thus Far and Shane Wright Needs To Be Sent Down

Sean Maloughney: On The Season Thus Far and Shane Wright Needs To Be Sent Down
- Sean Maloughney

unless I am mistaken, the deadline to send him down is the 10th game he plays, so he still has 3 more to go. the team could play 20 games it doesn't matter.

Seattle is sunk with Hakstol and Francis running things.

Normally an 18 yr old performing like him is normal, par for the course. But the fact that 3 teams passed on him makes me think there is something about him or his game that 3 teams wanted nothing to do with.

Maybe the struggles he is having is a blend of said problems and being 18.

The Kraken are showing that when it all clicks they are a good team and hard to beat. Stifling Buffalo and leading in hits, shots, and being 4/4 on PK and 2/3 on the PP was their best game to date. I’d put it over beating Colorado. The problem is their system and consistency, which still to me falls on Hak.

I still dont think out of the gate Francis and Hak were the proper choices. That said Francis did pivot nicely in the offseason remaking the team and making them far better. Hak remains the real sticking point. He definitely did not want Wright, but Francis seemed set he would be there. At some point that has to get addressed.

While 10 games IS the kick off point of the contract, the issue is simply will Hak use him and put him in the position to succeed. He needs to play, and its clearly NHL to jump into the deep end sink or swim, or OHL be the man amongst boys with little challenge to dominate. Big fish small pond syndrome. If the A was an option different story. I think it will come down to a talk between GM and HC on this one, and that likely comes soon.

Up front the team getting Tanev back is huge. Turbo is the sparkplug of the team. Really loving Beniers breaking out and McCaan on a 3 game goal scoring streak. Defensively they improved with Schultz over Lauzon and Borgen is getting better every game. Dunn offensively is great but still struggles defensively. To me he is kind of their weak link. The bigger issue is the goaltending. Dreidger out, who knows how he will be coming back eventually. Gru is Gru. Both were capable but not stellar. Jones has been ok but this is Jones and way too prone to bad goals allowed. After that you only have D’Accord, who is a steep fall off. Depth at the position is a concern given injuries.

Wins and points are going to come more often this year, there’s far better offence and defence in the lineup than last year. I still dont think they are there yet. The goalie sitch with injuries and Hak as coach I still think are the biggest knocks against them this season.

Damned if they aten’t fun to watch though.

Normally an 18 yr old performing like him is normal, par for the course. But the fact that 3 teams passed on him makes me think there is something about him or his game that 3 teams wanted nothing to do with.

Maybe the struggles he is having is a blend of said problems and being 18.
- Leniwm1

It’s called a bust

Kraken add goalie depth signing 29yo Chris Gibson. Was with Charlotte last year with the split of the team so known commodity to the Kraken.

No Wright against the Nucks, blown leads, bad penalties and just could not get any goaltending. The last is the biggest. Jones just went belly up like a dead goldfish again. Wasted two points on a fragile team that was there for the beating. That one hurts especially since it is a division rival we could have gotten further up on with a win.

HUGE game and win over the struggling Pens. Big game in net by Jones. Eberle finally nets his first of the year too.

Speaking of congrats to Ebs and Jones both on their new family additions.

Winning 2 of 3 on the homestand was great.

The bigger, more interesting story is Francis saying Wright being scratched and only averaging just over 6 minutes is unacceptable. GM wants him up about 10-12 and playing. Clearly the Hak disagrees and doesnt want him on the roster. Something is going to have to give here and soon for the benefit of the player one way or another.

So game night vs Calgary.

Looks like no Wright in the lineup. Again.

No Jones. Not with the team for family matters. Gibson recalled from Coachella on emergency basis and D’Accord makes his first start of the season. Oh boy.

Soucey!!!!!! Big heavy shot right there as he jumps in and goes gloveside and it's 1-0 Kraken.

Huge goal given they are outshooting the FLames 9-3 under 5 min to go in the 1st.

Big Rig and Zadorov throw down 4:19 to go and Oleksiak takes down Zadorov who was hanging on taking body shots and finally goes down. Boom. Big guys droppin the gloves.

Massive save by D'Accord. Came up big there at the end on a major chance for the Flames.

So far so good.

And Calgary ties it up, backdoor pass to Zadorov for a tap in from Taffoli. It was pretty. D'Accord had no chance at all there.

Calgary really asserting themselves now in the 2nd. At 12 min mark and it is 20-11 shots Flames after such a dominant 1st for Seattle. D'Accord making some really nice saves though keeping this close and tied.

And Kadri makes it 2-1. Damn I hate him. And after a dumb call on a challenge which fails now the PK has to go to work with the momentum shifted all to the Flames. Way to go Hak you idiot

6:50 to go and Geekie strikes!!!!! Turnover and Big Rig to Geekie and sniped!! Beauty!!! 2-2 all tied up!!

Outshot 27-18 with Calgary dominating most of that period, but the PK came up big and Geekie managed to strike for a goal and 2-2 after 40. Sets up a wild 3rd here.

18:26 and Toffoli off the faceoff and it is in. Flames back in charge 3-2.

And Lewis 15 seconds later makes it 4-2. Kraken cant get it out of their own end on the boards and bounces went the Flames way.

Hak calling a timeout now. Good call. Solid pushback shift, McCann hits the post. Big penalty on Huberdeau and a PP chance they really need to score on here.

HUGE save D'Accord on Lewis shorthanded chance just denied!!

Just over 12 min left and another PP chance for the Kraken. They have got to convert. Need to cut that two goal lead down to have a chance. AND THERE IT IS!!! Kraken within one cause they got SPRONG'd!!!! Well executed and easy put in! 4-3 and back in it!

9:08 to go and bad hooking penalty putting the Kraken back on PK. Damn

GOURDE!!! Break in SHG!!!! 4-4 baby!! WHOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

PING and Lucic right there and D'Accord able to get the glove on it and keep it out. Too damn close!

Beniers!!!! literally ends up a 4 on 1 and finishes it off with the go ahead goal!!! Thank god after a lousy clear attempt by Eberle, managing to get it out and off Lucic to wind up behind Vladar!!

Gourde another strip and walk in chance but can't beat Vladar.

1:41 and goalie out. Faceoff in Kraken end. Won and out. here we go. Final push to hold it here.

They hold it!!! KRAKEN WIN!!!!! D'Accord gets the win and what a comeback! Fantastic win and effort.