Vince Dunn came within 32 seconds of making a little NHL history on opening night, but the Seattle Kraken defenseman still carved out a place in a pretty rare club.
Dunn scored Seattle’s second goal in a 6-1 win over the Flames in Calgary on Oct. 1 and added two assists, giving the Kraken a strong start to the season. Jordan Eberle had already opened the scoring a half-minute earlier, which is why Dunn missed the chance to become the only blueliner in NHL history to score the first goal of the season for his team in three straight years.
Even without that distinction, Dunn’s goal in the opener put him on an exclusive list. He became one of just a handful of defensemen to score in three consecutive season-openers, joining Al MacInnis, Rasmus Andersson, Garry Galley, Sandis Ozolins, Larry Robinson and Ray Bourque.
MacInnis stands alone as the only defenseman to do it more than three times, scoring in five straight openers from 1987 through 1991. That run came with the Calgary Flames, the same team Dunn scored against this year.
Another date to circle for Seattle fans is Sat., Nov. 7, when the New York Rangers visit Climate Pledge Arena with three forwards who used to be part of the Kraken picture.
Tye Karte was claimed off waivers by New York, while Oliver Bjorkstrand and Eeli Tolvanen joined the Rangers as free agents. Tolvanen, who spent an uneasy summer waiting for his next deal, signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract in New York after no team met the salary or term he was looking for.
“A pretty long August before I signed,” Tolvanen told the New York Post. “It was definitely different.
You didn’t know where you’re going to end up. What are you going to do with your stuff?
I had my stuff in Seattle. You’re waiting in Finland.
You need a visa to get here and all that.
“It was a little stressing. Other than that, it’s part of the job.
Sometimes, you have to wait for a little longer. I’m happy that I ended up here.”
Seattle’s upcoming Hometown Remix uniform is also drawing attention, and the early word is that the look will lean into a cream-heavy palette. Icethetics said the Kraken teased the design through a season-ticket-member gift, and noted that the uniform uses not only the team’s deep-sea blue but also ivory details. A source also shared the numbers and lettering intended for the jersey.
In Other News...
Kraken Let Another Winnable Night In Edmonton Slip Away
The Kraken had a chance to leave Edmonton with a result after Bobby McMann dragged them level in the second period and Philipp Grubauer kept them in it with 22 saves, including several important stops while killing penalties. For stretches, Seattle did enough to make Rogers Place feel winnable, even against a high-end Oilers team that can punish small openings.
But the night tilted late in the third, and the margin for error vanished in a hurry. Seattle could not find the response after Edmonton seized control again, turning what had been a competitive road game into another reminder that the Kraken are still trying to piece together the kind of finish that turns close nights into points. [Read more 🡒]
Flames Already Face A Pressure Test With Young Forwards Up Front
The Flames have spent the opening stretch of the 2026-27 season trying to find traction while leaning on a younger group up front, a spot made even trickier by the absence of veteran winger Jonathan Huberdeau. Calgary has already dropped its first two games and has had issues closing out shifts defensively, the kind of early-season slippage that can put pressure on a lineup still sorting out its top-six mix under coach Ryan Huska.
Seattle is part of a tough early run for Calgary, which also has Colorado and Anaheim looming on the schedule. The Kraken already have a feel for where the Flames are vulnerable, especially if Calgary cannot clean up its neutral-zone defense and get more reliable execution when games tighten late, and the next few outings will say plenty about how ready the younger forwards are to carry a larger load. [Read more 🡒]
Kraken Hit A Familiar Wall In Edmonton Yet Again
The Kraken ran into a familiar problem in Edmonton again, falling 3-1 to the Oilers in a game that tilted in the home sides favor as the night wore on. Connor McDavid had his usual impact with a goal and an assist, Owen Michaels also scored, and Devon Levi stopped 19 shots to give Edmonton the win, while Bobby McMann supplied Seattles lone goal and Philipp Grubauer finished with 22 saves in defeat.
Seattle kept it close for much of the night, but the margin between these teams again showed up in the final stretch. McDavids latest strong outing continued an early-season surge, and Leon Draisaitl was once more right there at the center of the outcome, as the Oilers found a way to close when the Kraken could not. [Read more 🡒]