I have some thoughts about the Seattle Kraken and no particular way I know how to organize for you. So please enjoy this collection of words that may or may not make a point.

Yanni Gourde continues to improve far quicker than originally expected. Gourde is now a full participant in practice and while more recent estimates suggested he would miss maybe a couple of weeks of the regular season, now there is a chance he might be ready to start in the regular season. If this is the case, where would he be placed in the lineup? While it seems automatic he would step in onto the top line, Hakstol has spent plenty of time trying to build chemistry between Eberle, Schwartz, and McCann. If Gourde is ready I would start him on the second line and if McCann falters than the veteran can take his place.

On McCann, the young player continues to impress and I have a good feeling he is going to have a breakout campaign, akin to what players like Haula or William Karlsson did in Vegas in their first season. McCann is a great skater and I was surprised to see how much he likes to hold and move the puck in the offensive zone. He attracts players to him and then makes quick passes to shooters like Eberle or Schwartz to finish the play. So far this line has looked great and should be the main source of offensive from this forward group.

Another player impressing has been Vince Dunn who has been seeing some reps on the top unit powerplay. I know many expected Giordano to have a lock on this role but with his age and how well Dunn is playing this could change very quickly. Dunn is being allowed to be the offensive minded player he is and that is helping his overall game. He does not look hesitant at any time when he has the puck. Somehow Seattle is going to need to score goals and Dunn is showing that on special teams or at even strength, he is a threat whenever he is on the ice.

Calle Karnkrok registered a couple of assists against the Canucks a couple of days ago which was great because that was the first time I have noticed the forward all pre-season. Jarnkrok plays a simple game and has always had good underlying numbers but I don't think he is suited for top six ice time.

Morgan Geekie however continues to ooze confidence and continued to add some points to his boxcars. We have seen players produce great in pre-season and then disappear once the games matter. Hopefully Geekie can continue to build off of this early success.

Driedger should be an excellent backup for the Kraken but if Seattle was not able to acquire Grubauer in Free Agency I would be concerned right now. Dreidger hasn't been awful but he certainly hasn't been lights out. At least once a game he has let in a stinker of a goal or just looked out of place.

Ryan Donato continues to get powerplay time and continues to find a way to put up goals while there. What started as an early experiment now seems like it is likely he will start as the net front presence on the PP to start the season.

I've mentioned both in relation to Jared McCann but Schwartz and Eberle have both looked really good so far. Both players have shown over their careers that they are consistent shooters and goal scorers regardless of their linemates. Schwartz in particular has looked very confident and is showing no signs of his previous injuries.

For the second line, I'm liking at least to start, a duo of Wennberg and Donskoi. Wennberg is a smart and reliable two way player and Donskoi is no slouch in that department either. Wennberg in the past has been split pretty even with offensive zone and defensive zone starts while Donskoi has tended to get a boost in the O zone starts. Once Gourde is healthy, I would consider having the veteran start here, perhaps even on the left side.

The bottom six options have come as advertised and while I have questions about scoring ability, the defensive end of things should be covered. Tanev is a huge pest and is going to drive the opposition crazy and likely endear himself early to the fanbase. Mason Appleton might have the best chance of being a "scorer" in the bottom six if the 25 year old continues to improve off his 12 goal season from last year. Marcus Johansson has gotten some reps in the top six but ultimately I think it will do the player and team more favours if the 203lb left winger plays on the third or fourth lines.

Based on what I have seen, here is what I would ice for Seattle on opening night. This is assuming Gourde is not ready to play.

Schwartz-McCann-Eberle
Donato-Wennberg-Donskoi
Johansson-Geekie-Jarnkrok
Tanev-Sheahan-Appleton

Dunn-Larsson
Giordano-Oleksiak
Soucy-Lauzon

Grubauer

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