Sean Maloughney: Firebirds Continue to Prove Future is Bright in Seattle

D'Accord definitely should and likely will be the backup. I think the fact we have even heard that Dreidger is being looked at getting cleared out, and only has this coming season left on that contract says enough there.

McCormick definitely as a center, you want him re-signed for some depth. Lind should be grabbed and likely takes a spot from either Sprong or Donato as a bottom option. He really showcased himself. Evans may get a look at a bottom pairing possibly, but thinking they likely get a backup 7th vet d man to insulate as well to pair with Borgen. Soucy's spot is there and open and he might well get a look. Evans was being run out there a LOT.

One thing that is good is we are starting to see the pipeline. The drafted guys getting signed and starting to make that jump and shift into the A for development. Francis has done a really good job of stocking up the picks these first couple years to establish the prospect pool.

Wright remains the big question mark. I definitely think he needs to be in the A, and that really came to light once he was in there in the bottom 6 and started getting into games at the A level. Hopefully they get some clarity on their inquiries. Been said the covid season he likely gets that to count, but then its that 4th season and he JUST missed it by 1 game, so will they make ANOTHER exception to allow it to count and stand? Fingers crossed there.

Overall should be a good battle for a couple forward spots come training camp. Have to figure Kartye, Wright, McCormick (hopefully signed), True, Lind (SHOULD be re-signed) all going to want to get in there.

And have to say last night was a hell of a game. Sucks to lose in OT late like that but what an inaugural season for the Firebirds. PLUS was fun listening to Grant Fuhr doing color commentary on the radio coverage. Definitely gotta tune in more, they were a great listen calling the game.

Thanks Sean, wonder if Wright would consider playing a season in Europe rather than going back to the CHL. Once his European season ended he could join the Firebirds.

If he doesn’t make the Kraken of course.

Thanks Sean, wonder if Wright would consider playing a season in Europe rather than going back to the CHL. Once his European season ended he could join the Firebirds.

If he doesn’t make the Kraken of course.
- 1970vintage

Thats actually a good idea there. If the CHL plays hardball, go to Europe for a season. Not terrible and better competition than a wasted season in the ohl again.

Thats actually a good idea there. If the CHL plays hardball, go to Europe for a season. Not terrible and better competition than a wasted season in the ohl again.
- Roadrunner75

I don’t know why more NHL teams don’t have handshake agreements with SHL etc teams.

I don’t know why more NHL teams don’t have handshake agreements with SHL etc teams.
- 1970vintage

I think mostly because the pipelines are established and the euro teams don't have the same restrictions so the euro prospects can just get over easier as is. It's really a niche thing with the CHL. It normally doesn't really affect that many players. Wright is like this perfect storm of everything that could go wrong has.

I think mostly because the pipelines are established and the euro teams don't have the same restrictions so the euro prospects can just get over easier as is. It's really a niche thing with the CHL. It normally doesn't really affect that many players. Wright is like this perfect storm of everything that could go wrong has.
- Roadrunner75

If I owned an NHL franchise I’d get myself a minority ownership stake in a good European club. You could share costs for scouting, you could develop future NHL coaches and have a place for the tweener prospects that are stuck in the CHL.

It’s like NHL teams owning their AHL affiliates now. One more resource that isn’t tied to a salary cap etc.

Amazing how well things are going for Krak. In comparison to Vegas maybe they are doing better by year two.

Cup in year 5? That’s when you sign UFA’s with bigger salary cap to go for it. Also remember to go over the cap with tactful LTIR time. Like those nagging injuries that can be solved with a surgery and season recovery time help as well.

D'Accord definitely should and likely will be the backup. I think the fact we have even heard that Dreidger is being looked at getting cleared out, and only has this coming season left on that contract says enough there.

McCormick definitely as a center, you want him re-signed for some depth. Lind should be grabbed and likely takes a spot from either Sprong or Donato as a bottom option. He really showcased himself. Evans may get a look at a bottom pairing possibly, but thinking they likely get a backup 7th vet d man to insulate as well to pair with Borgen. Soucy's spot is there and open and he might well get a look. Evans was being run out there a LOT.

One thing that is good is we are starting to see the pipeline. The drafted guys getting signed and starting to make that jump and shift into the A for development. Francis has done a really good job of stocking up the picks these first couple years to establish the prospect pool.

Wright remains the big question mark. I definitely think he needs to be in the A, and that really came to light once he was in there in the bottom 6 and started getting into games at the A level. Hopefully they get some clarity on their inquiries. Been said the covid season he likely gets that to count, but then its that 4th season and he JUST missed it by 1 game, so will they make ANOTHER exception to allow it to count and stand? Fingers crossed there.

Overall should be a good battle for a couple forward spots come training camp. Have to figure Kartye, Wright, McCormick (hopefully signed), True, Lind (SHOULD be re-signed) all going to want to get in there.
- Roadrunner75

Tough calls to make with the success. Lind had biggest attention so he has to make the roster of Krak or he’ll get picked up on waivers. Sign and trade option B?

Tough calls to make with the success. Lind had biggest attention so he has to make the roster of Krak or he’ll get picked up on waivers. Sign and trade option B?
- Quinn's Quest

I don't know if trading him will be a thing. Have to figure Donato is gone as a UFA and you also have Sprong there too. I don't know if they will really keep Sprong. So you figure you have Geekie as a RFA to sign and then Lind as RFA and he takes a spot, guess more comes down to cost and or one of the younger players stepping in there be it Kartye, McCormick, Wright etc.

Nice thing is we have pretty much this tight knit group that gets the job done and they are back again, so it is more just peripheral players barring some major move that I don't know if Francis is really going to do.

I don't know if trading him will be a thing. Have to figure Donato is gone as a UFA and you also have Sprong there too. I don't know if they will really keep Sprong. So you figure you have Geekie as a RFA to sign and then Lind as RFA and he takes a spot, guess more comes down to cost and or one of the younger players stepping in there be it Kartye, McCormick, Wright etc.

Nice thing is we have pretty much this tight knit group that gets the job done and they are back again, so it is more just peripheral players barring some major move that I don't know if Francis is really going to do.
- Roadrunner75

That’s good allow a couple players to go to let youth in. So the team gets younger and more lasting core with support. Is Lind possible next piece to core? He did so well in AHL. Though he’s had long adjustment periods between levels it seems historically. Will Krak be patient with him on the roster?

That’s good allow a couple players to go to let youth in. So the team gets younger and more lasting core with support. Is Lind possible next piece to core? He did so well in AHL. Though he’s had long adjustment periods between levels it seems historically. Will Krak be patient with him on the roster?
- Quinn's Quest

Thats the thing with Seattle. Very good team as is, the prospect pipeline is just starting to produce, and they clearly have the plan going to replace/promote from within down the road. People forget this will only be season 3 here.

#20, #50, #52, #57 and #84 in first three rounds - who are you hoping for?

#20, #50, #52, #57 and #84 in first three rounds - who are you hoping for?
- 1970vintage

Honestly? Im more of a take the best possible player available type of outlook here. We still need everything for development and the pipeline so...

Honestly? Im more of a take the best possible player available type of outlook here. We still need everything for development and the pipeline so...
- Roadrunner75

Yeah, I get that, but I’m kind of hoping Yager makes it to 20. I don’t think any of the 4 highly ranked D make it that far and I would rather see them take a C than a small skilled winger. Take a bunch of D or small wingers in the second.

Yeah, I get that, but I’m kind of hoping Yager makes it to 20. I don’t think any of the 4 highly ranked D make it that far and I would rather see them take a C than a small skilled winger. Take a bunch of D or small wingers in the second.
- 1970vintage

Well know we have a good group of C prospects but yeah can hope for a solid C. Don't think Francis builds like Dubas with the total skill with no jam or size behind it so we should be ok in that sense there but... have to just wait and see. Never know what can happen or who might fall some. I mean nobody would have had us taking Wright after all so...

Congrats and well deserved Benny!!!

Kraken claim tgeir first ever player award!

Well done Matty Beniers for the Calder Trophy, the first major player award but a Seattle Kraken!!

Olofsson re-signs 2yr 2way deal.

Nice signing to keep some depth on the back end there.