SEATTLE — So, the Kraken are only a month or so away from opening training camp and there’s already cautious optimism surrounding a team that finished with the NHL’s third-worst record last season.
Not that anyone is predicting a Stanley Cup championship. But I’ve seen references online to them being dark-horse playoff contenders and I don’t believe that’s far-fetched. As previously mentioned, there were predictive models that felt they could sneak into the playoffs last season if everything went right.
As we know, everything did not, from players underperforming, the goaltending not holding up, COVID-19 setbacks, injuries and a very chaotic early schedule and practice routine due to their home arena not being ready for preseason. Combine all that with a high-energy on-ice system coach Dave Hakstol expected every single game, it was a recipe for trouble.
