The Seattle Kraken wasted no time getting back to work after Thursday’s 4-1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes, hitting the ice again Friday as they wrapped up practice in Finland ahead of Saturday’s finale in the NHL Global Series.
The biggest wrinkle from the session was up front, where Jagger Firkus skated on the second line with Chandler Stephenson and Frederick Gaudreau. Seattle called him up from its American Hockey League affiliate, the Cocahella Valley Firebirds, before the trip to Finland, and this marks his first call-up to the Kraken.
Firkus has spent the last three seasons with the Firebirds and has 12 points in 12 games this season. He has not yet made his NHL debut, but that could change against the Hurricanes.
There were also encouraging signs on the injury front. Jacob Melanson and Ryan Lindgren both took part in practice Friday after missing time earlier in the season.
Melanson has been out since the Oct. 10 game after suffering a vascular pseudoaneurysm, while Lindgren has been sidelined since Oct. 4 with an upper-body injury. Lindgren played just 3:57 against the Vegas Golden Knights before leaving early, and his presence in Finland suggested progress in his recovery.
He skated on an extra defensive pair with Cale Fleury.
Following practice, head coach Lane Lambert said both Melanson and Lindgren are game-time decisions for Saturday. Seattle will be hoping to have as much of its group available as possible as it tries to bounce back against Carolina.
In Other News...
Kaapo Kakkos Finland Return Showed Kraken Fans Something Bigger
Kaapo Kakkos return to Finland during the NHL Global Series did more than put him back on familiar ice. The Kraken forward spent time with youth hockey players from the HC TPS organization, meeting them in a private suite, signing autographs and taking questions from kids who were clearly thrilled to have a local pro in front of them. It was the kind of stop that can get lost in the shuffle of a road trip, but it said plenty about how Kakko is carrying himself in a different setting.
Kakko also helped make the experience a little bigger for those players by providing tickets and transportation so they could attend an open practice, giving them a closer look at the NHL game they follow from afar. He is also looking into additional charitable efforts through the NHLPA Goals & Dreams fund, a reminder that his homecoming was about more than just the on-ice backdrop of the series against Carolina. [Read more 🡒]
Kraken Defense Gets A Needed Boost At The Perfect Time
The Kraken got a timely reinforcement on the blue line with Ryan Lindgren coming off injured reserve after a stretch of roughly five and a half weeks sidelined by an upper-body injury. His return gives Seattle a needed defensive option as the club heads into its upcoming game against the Carolina Hurricanes in Helsinki, a setting that only adds to the significance of getting a regular back in the mix.
To make room on the roster, Logan Morrison was reassigned to AHL Coachella Valley. For Seattle, the move underscores how tight the roster picture can get when a key defender is ready to rejoin the group, especially with a trip overseas looming and the team trying to settle its lineup before the puck drops. [Read more 🡒]
Kraken Leave Finland With Bigger Questions Than Just One Bad Loss
The Krakens trip to Finland ended with plenty more to sort through than a lopsided result, as Carolina controlled the NHL Global Series game in Helsinki and handed Seattle a 5-1 loss. Matty Beniers provided the lone bright spot for the Kraken, but the night quickly turned into one of missed chances and mounting frustration as the Hurricanes kept finding ways to punish Seattle.
Special teams became the clearest concern, with Carolina repeatedly taking advantage when the Kraken put themselves in the box. Seattles penalty kill never found a rhythm, and the goaltending situation added another layer to an already rough evening, leaving the Kraken with a long flight home and some uncomfortable questions about how they want to look coming out of this overseas swing. [Read more 🡒]