Guest Writer: THE CURIOUS CASE OF THE KRAKEN GOALTENDING

Thanks Chris, good job. If Driedger plays well it’s possible he gets claimed. There’s always someone looking for a goalie. It’s a little tougher because you can’t send back a contract/cap hit but if you have a goalie out with injury (like Matt Murray last year) you have some time to sort things out.

It’s also possible Joey is the guy to get sent down, and possibly/likely claimed.

One final note. I hear this a lot, “the weak Pacific division”… defending cup champs, Oilers (cup hopefuls), Kings (I think they think they’re contenders), Kraken, Flames (look to rebound) and Canucks (believe they are much improved). I think the Pacific is going to be one of the tougher divisions to come out of this season.

Pacific is improved true but comparatively outside Oilers, there's questions on Kings, Kraken, Canucks, and Flames. Duvks and Sharks are going to still struggle. Thing is compared to Metro, Atlantic et all? It is the weak one Id say overall.

Its a battle for camp to be sure. Injuries could alter things too you are right. Cap implications as well. I think if Daccord comes in playing well and Dreidger doesnt its going to be hard not to keep Joey up.

Long as Gru is healthy and the main guy, its a battle of the backups.

Pacific is improved true but comparatively outside Oilers, there's questions on Kings, Kraken, Canucks, and Flames. Duvks and Sharks are going to still struggle. Thing is compared to Metro, Atlantic et all? It is the weak one Id say overall.

Its a battle for camp to be sure. Injuries could alter things too you are right. Cap implications as well. I think if Daccord comes in playing well and Dreidger doesnt its going to be hard not to keep Joey up.

Long as Gru is healthy and the main guy, its a battle of the backups.
- Roadrunner75

Every division has it’s duds.

Ottawa, Detroit, Montreal (didn’t include Buffalo)

Columbus, Philadelphia, Washington

Chicago, Arizona, St. Louis, Nashville

Sure, some of these teams could be on the bubble but overall last year the Pacific was THE ONLY division with 4 teams to reach 100+ points.

I bet the Met will be half studs half duds. Atlantic could be more even with Boston taking a step back. Central will be top three with a mushy middle.

Every division has it’s duds.

Ottawa, Detroit, Montreal (didn’t include Buffalo)

Columbus, Philadelphia, Washington

Chicago, Arizona, St. Louis, Nashville

Sure, some of these teams could be on the bubble but overall last year the Pacific was THE ONLY division with 4 teams to reach 100+ points.

I bet the Met will be half studs half duds. Atlantic could be more even with Boston taking a step back. Central will be top three with a mushy middle.
- 1970vintage

Fair enough. Have to wait and see really. Hopefully it will be some solid improvement, especially since will likely take a Ducks game in again at xmas schedule and timing permitting.

Sounds like the CHL will allow Wright to play in the AHL if he doesn’t make the NHL roster out of camp.

Ottawa apparently needs to do something in order to get Pinto signed. But what if Pinto is available?

Could Driedger with $ retained, a 2024 first and cost controlled winger (like Lind or Kartye) get a deal done?

Sounds like the CHL will allow Wright to play in the AHL if he doesn’t make the NHL roster out of camp.
- 1970vintage

Sounds like it. Which honestly is a good thing there. I think for him, a season at Coachella will be the best development for him.

Thinking too you have to love the long term progression and how RF has things set up too.

As for Pinto that should be interesting. Ottawa has a little less cap space left than Seattle. Might be an interesting move, though not sure I'd like Kartye going. Lind sure but Ottawa is going to want better there too. The one thing I like is RF has us positioned with plenty of options and is being pretty patient overall too

Sounds like it. Which honestly is a good thing there. I think for him, a season at Coachella will be the best development for him.

Thinking too you have to love the long term progression and how RF has things set up too.

As for Pinto that should be interesting. Ottawa has a little less cap space left than Seattle. Might be an interesting move, though not sure I'd like Kartye going. Lind sure but Ottawa is going to want better there too. The one thing I like is RF has us positioned with plenty of options and is being pretty patient overall too
- Roadrunner75

Was also thinking about Kessel on a one year deal as a 10min/night PP guy. He didn’t really do much last year in Vegas, but he could be another 20 goal guy in the right circumstance, and he does have three Cups.

Was also thinking about Kessel on a one year deal as a 10min/night PP guy. He didn’t really do much last year in Vegas, but he could be another 20 goal guy in the right circumstance, and he does have three Cups.
- 1970vintage

I'd pass on Kessel. Fact he was scratched mostly in the playoffs, nah we have far better options already in house. He is done I think.

I'd pass on Kessel. Fact he was scratched mostly in the playoffs, nah we have far better options already in house. He is done I think.
- Roadrunner75

It’s just been such a boring off season there’s nothing to talk about, Kraken wise.

I see now Pinto rumor in the main page headers…