The Kraken are already in Helsinki for the 2026-27 NHL Global Series, and they’re taking extra precautions before the spotlight turns on in Finland. Seattle has made two call-ups from Coachella Valley as it tries to keep its roster protected while dealing with a growing injury list.
The biggest concern up front is Jared McCann, who is out 10-12 weeks with a lower-body injury. Jacob Melanson is also unavailable after suffering a major medical emergency in the middle of a game, and he remains out indefinitely while he works toward returning to the ice. On the blue line, Ryan Lindgren is sidelined for the next four to six weeks with an upper-body injury.
With that in mind, the Kraken brought up forward Logan Morrison and goaltender Nikke Kokko from their AHL affiliate, the Coachella Valley Firebirds.
Morrison gives Seattle another option if the forward group takes another hit. He has been with the Firebirds since the 2023-24 season and has put together a strong start to 2026-27, posting 10 points in 12 games on three goals and seven assists. He also appeared in four Kraken games during the 2023-24 season, which remain the only NHL games of his career so far.
Kokko’s call-up carries a different kind of appeal. The Finnish-born goalie is heading back to his home country with a chance to be in the crease during the Global Series. He has played in 10 games for Coachella Valley this season and owns a 4-3-2 record, a .893 save percentage and a 2.99 goals-against average.
The numbers haven’t been ideal this season, but Kokko has shown strong goaltending in his previous two years with the Firebirds. If he gets into a game in Finland, it could be a meaningful chance to reset his season. And for Seattle, the hope is simple: the call-ups are there for insurance, not because the Kraken need to dip any deeper into their depth chart.
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For the team, it is another reminder that the community side of the franchise has become a real part of its identity, not just a side project. The program gives young skaters a first taste of the rink and a path to keep going once they are comfortable, which matters in a city where access can make all the difference in whether a child ever gets to the ice in the first place. [Read more 🡒]