Arguably the most surreal moment this debut Kraken season was captain Mark Giordano being saluted Wednesday night for his recent 1,000th game in likely his final Climate Pledge Arena appearance in a home uniform.
That pregame ceremony, with a surprise voice appearance by his father, Paul, narrating a video tribute on the arena’s dual scoreboards, notably featured a healthy Giordano on the ice but not actually playing in the ensuing game. He was held out for precautionary reasons ahead of an expected trade as the Kraken were defeated 4-1 by the two-time-defending champion Tampa Bay Lightning in a game in which the score was closer than the on-ice play once the visitors found their legs.
On a day in which veteran forward Calle Jarnkrok was also traded to the Calgary Flames, Kraken alternate captain Jordan Eberle said after the loss that players moving on are “a part of the business” this time of year for teams near the bottom of the standings.
