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Issues With Hakstol Already Rearing Their Head

October 18, 2022, 4:17 PM ET [46 Comments]
Sean Maloughney
Seattle Kraken Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
A lack of scoring ability...defensive zone lapses... improper player utilization.

The issues that we saw under coach Dave Hakstol are already rearing their ugly head just a few games into the season. A 1-2-1 isn't the worst start to a season, but being outscored 15-7 in the losses, allowing 5 goals in each game is a bigger concern. Scoring should not be an issue for this team and yet despite playing 4 games; the most any NHL team has played so far, Seattle has only scored 4 EV goals, the third fewest in the league.

Shane Wright has already been scratched once and last game played a mere 6 minutes... if the right call is to send Shane Wright down than that is what should be done, but the GM and the coach both need to figure out what they expect from this young player. Playing less than 10 minutes a game on the fourth line is not going to help this player succeed in the long term.

I would say no coach in the NHL has a shorter leash right now aside from maybe D.J. Smith in Ottawa. The expectations are not there necessarily for this roster to be a playoff team, but there are absolutely expectations to be an improved team on last season. So far we have not seen that.

Seattle concludes it's homestand tomorrow with a game against St. Louis before moving on to a 2 game road trip against the Avalanche and Blackhawks. After that, they conclude October with another three game homestand against the Sabres, Canucks and finally the Penguins. How many wins should be expected in these remaining games?

Ending October something like 3-6-1 does not signal to me a team that is taking steps forward but an even bigger concern considering the improved talent up front. Last season, the Kraken went 3-6-0 in the first month of the season. That was with a worse roster that had even less time to play with one another.

It is still very early and things could click into place but right now all eyes should be on Dave Hakstol and how he continues to utilize this roster. So far I am left wanting.
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