Scott Malone

Where does Kakko see room for growth?

"Getting to the net. ... I think that’s still something I can be better at”
nhl.com/kraken/news/...

Locations of all of his non-empty net shot attempts (green/orange) & goals (yellow) last season, via
Evolving Hockey

As far as shooting/scoring: Kakko excelled at creating off the forecheck/cycle with #SEAKraken.

Exhibit A: x.com/AlisonL/stat...

Career-high rates (per A3Z):
+ Forecheck pressures
+ Recovered dump-ins
+ Shots off FC/cycle plays

SEA also saw him joining rush more often, too

Kakko's assists were not purely the result of (hypothetically) only targeting wide open teammates, or bounces going in Seattle's favor.

Kakko was setting up his #SEAKraken teammates for both shots and scoring chances at career-high clips

(per @allthreezones.bsky.social 's tracking)

Kakko did get more shifts & ice time in SEA, but a big part of what fueled the big increase in points is his playmaking ability.

He racked up 12 primary assists (passes to #SEAKraken goal scorer) in 49 games. His career-best: 14 in 82 games in '22-23

(via @evolvinghockey.bsky.social )

While acknowledging the small sample size of his time in Seattle, Kakko's early productivity with #SEAKraken is very notable.

Per 82 Game Paces:
NYR: 15.2 Goals, 32.6 Pts
SEA: 16.7 Goals, 50.2 Pts

Factor in ice time: goal production is neck & neck, but the points gap remains

Confidence & Kinship | Seattle Kraken Coming from a small town in Finland, Kaapo Kakko's four-season stint with the New York Rangers was a culture shock. But since joining the Kraken, Kakko has found an affinity with fellow Fin Eeli Tolva...

Kaapo Kakko embraced the chance for a fresh start from his 1st day w/ #SEAKraken. He got comfortable, took the opportunity, and saw his confidence (& results) stack day by day.

@pipershaw.bsky.social highlighted the key dynamics behind it during the season on KHN: www.nhl.com/kraken/video...

In light of Kaapo Kakko agreeing to an extension with #SEAKraken... quick thread on how his game worked so well after Seattle acquired him - and where he thinks there's room for more production.

(1/?)

Grubauer will start for #SeaKraken

Joey Daccord is officially the first goalie in @seattlekraken.com franchise history to start both games of a back-to-back. #SEAKraken 

2nd time he's done so in his NHL career (with Ottawa in 2021).

KHN | Jeff Tambellini Joins The Pregame Show | Seattle Kraken Director of player development for the Kraken, Jeff Tambellini, joins Ian Furness, Alison Lukan and Brett Festerling to recap Jani Nyman’s recent 12 game stint with the Kraken and the progress of the ...

Big thank you to Jeff Tambellini (the @seattlekraken.com Director of Player Development) for joining @iandfurness.bsky.social @alisonl.bsky.social & Brett in studio on #SEAKraken Pregame!

The scoop on Jani Nyman, updates on #Firebirds & new faces, Berkly Catton & more: www.nhl.com/kraken/video...

We’re excited to have #SeaKraken director of development, Jeff Tambellini on our pregame show today! Talking Firebirds, Jani Nyman, latest signing Andrei Lashko and more!

Tune in at 7 PM on KHN!

The House of Karts | Seattle Kraken Hard work and sacrifice runs in the Kartye family and that's exactly how Tye Kartye made his dream of playing in the NHL a reality.

ICYMI over the weekend... new work from #SEAKraken @pipershaw.bsky.social on how The House of Karts helped Tye Kartye achieve his dream of playing in the NHL with @seattlekraken.com:

www.nhl.com/kraken/video...

With his 13th goal of the season... Chandler Stephenson joins Jared McCann as the only 2 players in @seattlekraken.com franchise history with 50+ points in their first season with the team #SEAKraken

Dan Bylsma tells reporters in San Jose that Eeli Tolvanen & Jaden Schwartz are both "game time" decisions. The top 2 #SEAKraken goal scorers missed the team's last game in Vancouver with undisclosed injuries

Dan Bylsma says Tolvanen & Schwartz are both game time decisions tomorrow for #SEAKraken

Good sign: Eeli Tolvanen a full participant in #SEAKraken  practice today before traveling to take on #SJSharks.

Jaden Schwartz is here but skating on the side.

Both missed Wednesday’s game vs #Canucks

Dan Bylsma tells @pipershaw.bsky.social & reporters in Vancouver that Jaden Schwartz & Eeli Tolvanen are both out tonight vs #Canucks. Bylsma says the #SEAKraken forwards are both day-to-day.

Tye Kartye & Ryan Winterton will slot into the @seattlekraken.com lineup tonight

Timing is important to note... because you may remember Burakovsky led the #SEAKraken in scoring in 2022-23 at the time of his injury in February, 2023

Eeli Tolvanen picks up his 22nd goal of the year. Jared McCann sets a new career-high for assists in a season (34) on the same play.

Andre Burakovsky now at 10 points in 14 games this month. His 3rd month with 10+ points in a #SEAKraken sweater... other 2: in 22-23 season

‪Chandler Stephenson also a participant. He’s missed the past 3 games with an upper body injury. Dan Bylsma called him a game time decision #SEAKraken ‬

Optional skate this morning for #SEAKraken before hosting #Stars. Jared McCann among those participating. He didn’t practice yesterday (maintenance day)

Chandler Stephenson was a full participant in #SEAKraken practice today.

Jared McCann was not on the ice with the group. Dan Bylsma says it was a "maintenance day" for McCann

Being Burky  | Seattle Kraken Andre Burakovksy doesn’t just bring skill on the ice; his personality and sense of humor are a big – and much enjoyed – part of the team

Also worth revisiting this story from
@alisonl.bsky.social on Being Burky from the 2023-24 season... with some nice anecdotes from #SEAKraken players past & present on Burakovsky: www.nhl.com/kraken/news/...

While it is a small sample size, the rate that Burakovsky is producing (0.85 points per 20 mins in March) is noteworthy for one other reason:

Before signing with #SEAKraken in the summer of 2022, Burky tallied 0.82 points per 20 mins in his career

KHN | Being Burky | Seattle Kraken In his 11 years in the NHL, Andre Burakovsky has grown from a young prospect with sky-high potential to a clutch playoff performer and a seasoned veteran with Two Stanley Cups to show for his efforts....

Last night on #SEAKraken Pregame...
@pipershaw.bsky.social showed us what goes into "Being Burky":
nhl.com/kraken/video...

@seattlekraken.com winger has 7 points so far in March. If you account for ice time: only Jordan Eberle has scored points more often than Burakovsky has per 20 mins

Dan Bylsma told assembled media in Edmonton that Chandler Stephenson will not play for #Seakraken tonight. "No further update...will get further evaluation (when the team returns to) Seattle."

Dan Bylsma did not have an update on Stephenson after the game last night in MIN. Said the #SEAKraken center was being evaluated & would be checked on again today.

Stephenson left late in the 2nd period & did not return

Reminder: @seattlekraken.com are on TNT tonight in Minnesota.

Philipp Grubauer gets the start in goal for the 2nd leg of the back-to-back. Same group of #SEAKraken forwards as last night in Chicago.

One change on the blue line: Cale Fleury in for Josh Mahura (per roster report)

Shane Wright has completed 82 NHL games dating back to his debut:

22 Goals
47 Points

Since 2000-01 season, #SEAKraken Wright is 37th forward age 21 or younger with 20+ goals & 400+ faceoffs taken in their first 82 games.

@seattlekraken.com one of 8 teams w/ multiple fwds on that list (Beniers)

This is the 4th time in @seattlekraken.com franchise history they've scored 6 unanswered goals in a game.

The others:
Nov. 22, 2023
April 3, 2023
Jan. 11, 2025

#SEAKraken