After a rough outing against the Ducks on Friday-one that head coach Lane Lambert didn’t sugarcoat, calling it “the worst 40 minutes we played all year”-the Seattle Kraken hit the ice Saturday with a chance to reset. And while you might expect a punishing, no-pucks practice after a performance like that, what unfolded at Kraken Community Iceplex told a different story.
Instead of a bag skate, Lambert opted for a high-tempo, detail-oriented session focused on transitions, rush execution, and special teams. It wasn’t punishment-it was preparation.
With the Devils coming to town for a Sunday matinee, the Kraken didn’t have time to dwell. They had to pivot, and fast.
Lambert’s Approach: Tactical, Not Punitive
Lambert met with the team earlier in the day, and his message was clear: accountability starts with individual preparation. “Whatever you have to do, from a preparation standpoint, as an individual, you’ve got to do it,” Lambert said. “We talked about our starts this morning, so it’s clearly an issue, and we just have to be better in that area.”
That echoed the frustration he voiced after the Anaheim game, but Saturday’s tone was more about solutions than scolding. With the Olympic break compressing the schedule, Lambert seemed to recognize that development and recovery had to coexist. The focus was on correcting course with purpose-not punishment.
Shane Wright’s Development: Quiet Progress Amid the Noise
Trade rumors have been swirling around Shane Wright, but if the 22-year-old center is feeling the pressure, he’s not showing it. “I don’t really care too much about that,” Wright said when asked about the chatter.
“At the end of the day, it’s just rumors. I’m not too worried about that.”
Lambert, for his part, continues to see growth in Wright’s game-especially in the defensive zone, where the coach says Wright’s positioning and awareness have taken big steps forward.
“He’s way better in the defensive zone right now,” Lambert said. “His understanding of his positioning when he comes into the zone is miles ahead of where it was 20, 25, 30 games ago. His ability and confidence to hold onto pucks and make plays has improved throughout the year.”
It’s not always flashy, but it’s the kind of foundational work that coaches love to see from young players. Lambert also acknowledged that Wright’s been buying into the team-first mentality-something that often requires personal sacrifice, especially for a player used to putting up numbers.
“I think he’s doing a really good job of embracing what we’re coaching into him,” Lambert said. “Sometimes you have to sacrifice a little bit of your personal statistics in order to embrace the way to play, in order for the team to have success. I think he’s done an amazing job with that.”
That’s a tough ask for any young forward, especially when peers like Cutter Gauthier-drafted one spot behind Wright in 2022-are lighting up the scoresheet. But Lambert made it clear: this is about building a player who can thrive in the playoffs, not just rack up regular-season points.
Face-offs Still a Work in Progress
One area where Wright hasn’t shown the same level of growth is in the face-off circle. After finishing last season at 44.5%, he’s dipped to 37.5% this year. That’s a concern, especially for a center, and it likely plays a role in Lambert’s decision to shelter Wright with more offensive zone starts.
Face-off stats can be tricky-they don’t tell the whole story-but that kind of drop-off is hard to ignore. For now, it’s another piece of the puzzle Wright will need to improve if he wants to earn more trust in key situations.
Lineup Notes and Goalie Gear Watch
Looking ahead to Sunday’s matchup with New Jersey, the Kraken appear poised to roll out the same lineup from Friday-though Ryan Lindgren’s status remains in question. He skipped Saturday’s skate for what Lambert called a maintenance day. In his absence, Cale Fleury slotted in next to Ryker Evans during line rushes.
In net, expect Joey Daccord to get the nod. Philipp Grubauer was on the ice in his Team Germany pads, breaking them in ahead of the Olympics, while Daccord also debuted a fresh set-same design, fewer puck marks.
And speaking of Evans, the young defenseman is still sporting the aftermath of a high stick from teammate Ben Meyers two games ago. He wore a full face shield during Friday’s game but practiced Saturday with just a visor, despite the visible gash on his lip.
As for Meyers, he remains week-to-week with a lower-body injury after blocking a shot against the Islanders. Jacob Melanson stepped into the lineup Friday and is expected to stay in for Sunday’s game.
Final Thoughts
Saturday’s practice wasn’t about punishment-it was about progress. With a tight schedule and playoff aspirations, the Kraken don’t have the luxury of hitting the panic button.
Lambert’s message was clear: fix the details, trust the process, and show up ready to play. Sunday’s game against the Devils will be a good test of whether that message landed.