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G34: Kraken @ Avalanche: A Game... Finally (Also Klingberg)

January 10, 2022, 5:39 PM ET [12 Comments]
Sean Maloughney
Seattle Kraken Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
This might be the most bizarre season the Kraken have ever had... it also happens to be the only season the Kraken have ever had but my point still stands. We have had to deal with COVID in the NHL over the past two and a half seasons now. In the first year, everything was just shut down and eventually reopened for a playoff bubble. The following year all games were played within the division and then opened up for the playoffs. This year the NHL has gone back to full schedules but now we are regularly dealing with postponements, players being out, and rescheduled games. Each team is being effected by this and unfortunately some have gotten hit worse than others.

Tonight is a prime example. The Seattle Kraken have not played a game since January 1st in a 5-2 loss to the Canucks. Seattle has had three games postponed in this time. Meanwhile the Colorado Avalanche have not had to deal with any shutdowns, mostly due to not having to play any games recently across the border.

Tonight Seattle will be getting in their first action in a week and will likely look a bit rusty and out of sorts to start. The Avalanche will not have to deal with that and have a mostly healthy roster as well. Colorado is once again looking like a favorite not only in the West but potentially for a Cup while the Kraken are clearly a team that is not going to contend for a playoff spot. Things could get ugly fast here and that is just the reality of this inaugural, COVID filled season.

SHOULD THE KRAKEN PURSUE KLINGBERG?

Reports are out that right shot defenseman John Klingberg is unhappy with contract negotiations and feels "unappreciated." The 29 year old player has been one of the most dominant offensive defensemen over the past decade. Over a full season he has proven to be a regular 45-50+ point player and elite level powerplay quarterback. He is not simply a point producer either as his 5 on 5 numbers showcase that he is a legitimate #1 defender.

The Stars aren't making the post-season this year and it seems likely at this point that Klingberg will be moved before the deadline. This type of move seems like the kind of move that a contender would make but I could see Ron Francis and the Kraken make their own pitch for the player.

Contending teams aren't usually going to trade roster players but that is exactly what Seattle could do. The Stars need to rebuild to a degree and will likely be looking for more NHL ready options as opposed to just collecting draft picks.

Just spitballing, would offering the Stars the likes of Vince Dunn, Morgan Geekie, and perhaps even Haydn Fleury along with a first round pick entice the Stars enough? A deal like this would of course need to be conditional on Klingberg actually signing long term with the Kraken.

Seattle has enough cap space to sign Klingberg long term and he would immediately be not only their best right shot, but top defender and immediately embraced by the fan base. If he feels unappreciated in Dallas I promise he would not feel the same in Seattle.

What would you offer to bring in the likes of Klingberg?
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