Sean Maloughney: No One Should Be Mad About This

What is going on with Shane wright?
Congrats on a great season. Didn’t expect it and now expectations are going to be higher.

Solid season. Can't wait to see the moves ahead. I feel like the Kraken operate differently than Vegas. Vegas has gone out and tried to buy/trade for players instead or organically growing the team and I hope the Kraken continue their method.

After a disappointing inaugural season, it was great to see Seattle get a taste of success and a remarkable playoff run. Everybody's season ends badly except for one team. So it feels crappy, but you have to enjoy the ride...

...also, while I'm sure nobody wants to hear this: Be glad you're not an old style expansion team that had no chance to be competitive for their first decade. So there is a lot of good!

Solid season. Can't wait to see the moves ahead. I feel like the Kraken operate differently than Vegas. Vegas has gone out and tried to buy/trade for players instead or organically growing the team and I hope the Kraken continue their method.
- Aaron_85

good to hear you can't wait. Any suggestion on what moves they should make?

Solid season. Can't wait to see the moves ahead. I feel like the Kraken operate differently than Vegas. Vegas has gone out and tried to buy/trade for players instead or organically growing the team and I hope the Kraken continue their method.
- Aaron_85

Don't blame you for giving up on the Leafs.

Yanni Gourde lasted longer this post season with the Kraken than his old team the Lightning did this year.

What is going on with Shane wright?
Congrats on a great season. Didn’t expect it and now expectations are going to be higher.
- pucks4all

I think the Kraken made the right move when they demoted Wright, but they were just brutal in the execution.

That being said since his time in the NHL, Wirght has spent time in a variety of leagues at various levels since. He definitely looks like his time as a journeyman this year has been productive. He performed well in all the levels, which has rounded out his game much more.

He will crack the roster without doubt next year. I think (only personal opinion based off interviews and articles) that he took some big strides mentally as well. Sounds much more mature.

I don't know of any Kraken fans being mad. Everyone has been beyond hyped and stoked by this year's team and run.

Definitely not looking for a backup goalie unless Dreidger dies. We have Gru and Dreidger, and Kokko and Stezka already signed locked up. DAccord as a ufa I could see them bringing back which should not cost much at all either. A depth goalie maybe, but don't think we are going with a 3 headed hydra in net needing another NHL backup.

I can see Wright being in, Kartye definitely will be, so can see them not re-upping Sprong or Donato but keeping Donskoi.

I think the big question will be on the back end there. I think the team will likely try and get Dunn locked up, and more than likely Soucy as well. Borgen is a solid 5-6 guy but also have Evans and Olofsson down that could push for more time and Megna still in the mix some too as a bottom cast. Guy likely out is Cale Fleury I would say.

After a disappointing inaugural season, it was great to see Seattle get a taste of success and a remarkable playoff run. Everybody's season ends badly except for one team. So it feels crappy, but you have to enjoy the ride...

...also, while I'm sure nobody wants to hear this: Be glad you're not an old style expansion team that had no chance to be competitive for their first decade. So there is a lot of good!
- Queenie_5_hole

I think the Kraken with how our inaugural season went was more like a traditional. Fortunately Francis was able to pivot well and acquire a lot of draft picks and was savvy with cap space and was able to add players like Burakovsky etc that boosted the team. Beniers break out also was a huge help.

Solid season. Can't wait to see the moves ahead. I feel like the Kraken operate differently than Vegas. Vegas has gone out and tried to buy/trade for players instead or organically growing the team and I hope the Kraken continue their method.
- Aaron_85

Francis made a massive and smart pivot after overplaying his hand with the expansion draft. Teams had learned from Vegas. The amount of picks built up definitely let us stock the cupboards really well.

You have Beniers, Wright, Winterton, Kartye, MacCormick, Froden, Tawrynski, Firkkus, Melanson, Lind, True, Hayden, Olofsson, Evans etc, plus more drafted and more coming. Francis has been able to start to establish a solid strong pipeline of talent coming in. That will be HUGE as Eberle and some of the others age out.

I do like that we didn't go the early success and all in chase the championship route that Vegas did. Honestly don't see it as Francis's style.

Thanks Sean, not mad at all. A little disappointed I guess as I still think the Avs are a more dangerous opponent than the Stars. All in all a great year.

Would like to see them upgrade at C, especially their ability to win a face off. UFA’s O’Reilly, Monahan, Compher… not a lot of meat on that bone. PLD as a trade target but only 1 year away from UFA. Maybe just hire a coach who can teach the position better?

But, I’m not expecting a repeat next year per se. Getting to the playoffs is going to be more challenging. Vancouver and Calgary are certainly going to *try* and improve in the standings. Nashville with a new GM. The Ducks should be better. Yes, Arizona, SJ, Chicago will all suck again, but holding their place is going to be a big challenge.

Thanks Sean, not mad at all. A little disappointed I guess as I still think the Avs are a more dangerous opponent than the Stars. All in all a great year.

Would like to see them upgrade at C, especially their ability to win a face off. UFA’s O’Reilly, Monahan, Compher… not a lot of meat on that bone. PLD as a trade target but only 1 year away from UFA. Maybe just hire a coach who can teach the position better?

But, I’m not expecting a repeat next year per se. Getting to the playoffs is going to be more challenging. Vancouver and Calgary are certainly going to *try* and improve in the standings. Nashville with a new GM. The Ducks should be better. Yes, Arizona, SJ, Chicago will all suck again, but holding their place is going to be a big challenge.
- 1970vintage

The problem there is who comes out at center? You aren't removing Beniers. Wennberg and hopefully Wright are line 2. Gourde line 3. That leaves Geekie at 4 C or another depth guy.

Id likely go with an assistant or even Ronnie working with the centers on draws.

The problem there is who comes out at center? You aren't removing Beniers. Wennberg and hopefully Wright are line 2. Gourde line 3. That leaves Geekie at 4 C or another depth guy.

Id likely go with an assistant or even Ronnie working with the centers on draws.
- Roadrunner75

Well I guess one of those guys could move to the wing.

Ideally if you are bringing in a “better” player you push all the guys down the lineup a bit.

Manny Molhotra might be available as an assistant this off season. He’d help.

Well I guess one of those guys could move to the wing.

Ideally if you are bringing in a “better” player you push all the guys down the lineup a bit.

Manny Molhotra might be available as an assistant this off season. He’d help.
- 1970vintage

I'd not be opposed there, or at least have him come in and work with them, not even on the coaching staff per say. I think you would need a solid upgrade to move Gourde to wing. Only one I could really see is maybe Geekie but then that is a 4th line center and you are not dropping Gourde down and someone like ROR etc wouldn't be coming in to play low in the lineup there.

Honestly if Toronto is shopping Willy Ny I might look at em and say give us Willy and the rights to Kampf. Could see possible interest in Soucy or Borgen as part of a deal. Then you have an inexpensive center for the bottom pairing for a year or so but...

I think honestly roster wise it will be more along the lines of status quo and adding guys from within. Francis is meticulous and patient really. Kartye, Wright up front maybe Hayden for bottom line.

Success is fleeting. The Krak have a balanced team but will that stay in place. They certainly are not a powerhouse. Lots of competition ahead and they could just as easily falter then succeed.

That said nice run. An expansion and division conference final would have have been quite the story.

Success is fleeting. The Krak have a balanced team but will that stay in place. They certainly are not a powerhouse. Lots of competition ahead and they could just as easily falter then succeed.

That said nice run. An expansion and division conference final would have have been quite the story.
- Quinn's Quest

I think long term? They should stay very competitive and pretty balanced. There's a solid team in place and they are establishing a hell of a farm and feeder system. Francis in that respect has done a very good job.

The real kicker will be in avoiding any mistakes in overdoing free agency or locking up the older vets as the young prospects start to push their way in.

I think long term? They should stay very competitive and pretty balanced. There's a solid team in place and they are establishing a hell of a farm and feeder system. Francis in that respect has done a very good job.

The real kicker will be in avoiding any mistakes in overdoing free agency or locking up the older vets as the young prospects start to push their way in.
- Roadrunner75

Talk among the local media has started to shift to looking at the future. The Dunn contract is top of the list, and some are suggesting that to get it done it’s going to take something like $8 x 8.

That’s a yikes to me. I would consider trading him to a team desperate for D if that’s the case. I’d hate to have our version of Darnell on the books for 8 years.

Talk among the local media has started to shift to looking at the future. The Dunn contract is top of the list, and some are suggesting that to get it done it’s going to take something like $8 x 8.

That’s a yikes to me. I would consider trading him to a team desperate for D if that’s the case. I’d hate to have our version of Darnell on the books for 8 years.
- 1970vintage

Yeah I definitely dont think you go there with Dunn on term and salary. I'd ratger lock up Soucy and Borgen if that was the cost there. I think with Larsson and Oleksiak you have the big two right there.

Will be interesting to see overall how Francis navigates things here.

Hey Sean, you should have titled your Oilers blog “Everyone should be mad about this”



The two blogs would have looked good next to each other

I think this shows pretty clearly how far the Kraken still have to go. Dallas wasn’t really a better team, and I think the Kraken would have managed at least a win against Vegas. But, they’re still a few years away from having a team that can go deep into the playoffs with regularity.