The Kraken is slow to wake up

(Seattle) The frenzy that animates the city of Seattle with the still very recent birth of the Kraken does not unfortunately turn into success on the ice. In any case, not yet.

Simon-Olivier Lorange
Press

After six meetings, the young franchise has signed only a small victory. His offensive output is modest, which makes sense to anyone who has taken the time to take an interest in his training. On the other hand, it is very generous in terms of the goals granted; there, it is more surprising considering the veterans of quality which one finds in defense and in front of the net.

Since we’re not in Montreal, the Kraken’s 1-4-1 record didn’t turn on any indicator lights or sound any sirens. And the reason is quite simple: the situation is completely normal.

In fact, the Las Vegas Golden Knights, when they arrived on the tour in 2017, were an anomaly with their strong start of eight wins in nine games. Rather, a period of adaptation marked by sobriety is the norm. In any case if we trust the teams that joined the NHL at the turn of the 2000s.

Most simply of the world, Yanni Gourde said on Monday that he and his teammates were still looking to establish chemistry between them. Normal, it has been barely two weeks that they play together, one will say. The former Tampa Bay Lightning himself only played two games after recovering for several weeks from shoulder surgery.

“At some point we’re going to be comfortable and we’ll be fine,” he predicted.

“A ton of chances”

Gourde’s return to health is undoubtedly good news for the Kraken, but the presence of the Quebecer on one of the first two offensive lines betrays an obvious lack of depth at the center position. But this is not where the club’s offensive scarcity crystallizes.

Wingers Jayden Schwartz and Jordan Eberle should, in principle, be the two most prolific forwards in the group. However, they are slow to get started, they who have respectively collected one and two assists – and no goal. It is rather Jared McCann (6 points) and Joonas Donskoi (4) who lead the (modest) charge.

“We had a ton of chances, but the puck does not seem to want to come in, said Eberle in a press briefing. It’s a problem that seems to plague the whole team. It’s a cliché, but with the odds, a few good leaps could turn the tide quickly. I’ve been playing in this league long enough to know that. ”

“You have to get closer to the goalkeeper and create second chances; score and build on timely goals, ”added Schwartz.

Head coach Dave Hakstol, meanwhile, wants to broaden the perspective. His team is still looking for his “identity”. Getting to grips with a new gaming system is one thing, but applying it in a match situation is another. Last Saturday, despite the 4-2 loss, the clash against the Vancouver Canucks was a step in the right direction, he said.

On the other hand, “we want to collect points and win matches”. What, it is obvious, requires a more prolific offensive harvest. However, “we do not have to score many more goals”, he qualified, but to learn to win close matches. “Because we will play a lot this year. ”

Grumbling Grubauer

That’s a lot, scoring more goals, but we should also allow less. Twenty-three goals in six games is a lot. Certainly too much.

Still, when you look at the five-on-five defensive stats, the Kraken doesn’t look bad at all. 27.6 shots are allowed per 60 minutes, at 9^e rank of the circuit; 10.3 Quality Chances (16^e) and 2.31 anticipated goals (20^e). And the penalty kill unit has a very decent 85.7% success rate (9^e, ex aequo).

Yanni Gourde notes that for an expansion team, prioritizing a tight defensive system is naturally a priority. “It’s a good way to look at it and build an organization,” he said. It’s the defensive teams that win championships. We have to take pride in playing well in our zone. ”

If the skaters are doing their job, but the goals still come in, it becomes difficult not to turn to the masked man in front of the net.

You might as well put it bluntly: Philipp Grubauer is not having a very happy start in his new uniform. Evidenced by his 3.80 goals against average and .869 save rate in five games. The advanced statistics site Evolve Hockey also calculates that he allowed almost five goals too many for the quality of the shots he received. Only Marc-André Fleury and Carter Hutton, whose teams are experiencing atrocious departures, have given more.

Coach Hakstol is therefore well-meaning when he mentions that Grubauer has been a ‘rock’ for his team, but he certainly brightens the picture.

However, he hits the nail on the head by stressing that the Kraken “will feed on what it does for us”. In other words, if the attack wakes up, this formation will go as far as its guardian will take it.

“Our team can be strong defensively, trust our goalkeepers to do a good job and play with confidence” up front, summed up Hakstol. A sentence expressed simply, but which nevertheless betrays a long way to go. Despite everything, Yanni Gourde warned that he and his teammates would never be satisfied with the minimum.

It is still necessary to give it time for the players to find their bearings. Because one thing is very clear. The Kraken begs to wake up.