First off let's talk about the news that just broke today. In a bizarre move the Detroit Red Wings have placed Jakub Vrana on waivers. Vrana had been placed in the player assistance program way back on October 19th. The program is to help players dealing with mental health, substance abuse, or a number of other issues they may be dealing with. We do not know exactly what Vrana did enter the program for.
Since returning from the program, Vrana played 3 games in the AHL on a conditioning stint with the Grand Rapids Griffins. He did not put up any points in those 3 games and was a -5.
Vrana is 26 years old on a contract of 5.25 million for this season as well as next and then the forward becomes a UFA. He has two seasons of 20+ goals and is a highly skilled player but injuries have been a concern.
Vrana is a player that 32... well apparently 31 teams in the NHL should be interested in but right now there are only a handful that can fit him into their cap situation. At the same time, those teams are almost all trying to tank for Connor Bedard who wowed once more in the Canada Quarter Final Game.
Seattle should be among the teams interested but I don't see any way that Vrana will fall that far or how they would make such a move work. They've already added one waiver claim in Tolvanen who finally made his Kraken debut against the Islanders, scoring a powerplay goal. It's fun to imagine but I just don't see a fit.
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Back to the game tonight.
Seattle was flat out embarrassed by Edmonton in their own building back at the end of December. Tonight the Kraken will be in Edmonton's building playing against a team that just got Hellebuyck'd. The Oilers will be looking to finish their chances and my guess is Martin Jones will need to be sharp; as will the defensive group in front of him.
Teams like the Oilers and Flames are right beside the Kraken in the standings and both teams took two points from Seattle to close that gap. Seattle has performed well overall this season but they need to find ways to win games against their divisional opponents.
After a strong November, Beniers has gone fairly cold through December with only a single assist in his last 5 games. As a rookie there are going to be many highs and lows and right now Beniers just needs to find a way to play through his current situation and find a way to start producing again.
Enjoy the game!