Kraken Training Camp Notebook: Injury Updates, Prospect Highlights and More
The Seattle Kraken reconvened at Kraken Community Iceplex on Thursday following two road preseason games against the Calgary Flames on Tuesday and the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday.
Here are the biggest updates:
Injuries
The Kraken saw two lineup regulars get injured in back-to-back nights, when Chandler Stephenson exited Tuesday’s 4-1 preseason loss to the Calgary Flames with an undisclosed injury, and Kaapo Kakko left Wednesday’s 4-1 win against the Edmonton Oilers with an upper-body injury.
In addition to that, forward Jared McCann (lower body) has been out since Sunday, while defenseman Brandon Montour has missed the entirety of training camp so far with an ankle injury.
Kraken coach Lane Lambert addressed the status of all four players following Thursday’s practice, with all except Kakko listed as “day-to-day.” Kakko’s status is not yet determined, but he’s scheduled to see a specialist on Friday, which should provide more clarity.
In the meantime, Seattle is already short-handed entering the final stretch of preseason games.
“Obviously, it’s not ideal, certainly,” Lambert said. “I mean, I don’t think I’ve ever had quite as much [injuries in training camp], but at the same time, it gives other people opportunities right now, and we just move forward.”
Mason Marchment left practice early on Thursday, but Lambert said it was due to illness and that he has no other issues. Ryan Lindgren practiced in a full capacity with a noticeable black eye after just several days after taking a puck to the face in practice.
With three preseason games left before the regular season kicks off at home on Oct. 9, we could potentially see lineups heavier with fringe roster players down the stretch, both to protect the rest of the healthy regulars and also to help determine the final roster cuts.
“The games are always telling,” Lambert said. “Some guys play their way in, and some guys don’t. And oftentimes it’s just a matter of certain guys that just maybe rise above a little bit. There’s starting to become a little more clarity. The injuries make it a little bit difficult, too, as well, with making those decisions, but we’ll work through it.”
Jugnauth relives ‘career highlight’
Just a few months ago, Tyson Jugnauth was competing in the WHL’s Western Conference Finals with the Portland Winterhawks as their star defenseman. Flash forward to Wednesday, and the 21-year-old was staring down the wrong end of a 2-on-1 against Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid late in the first period, killing off an Oilers power play.
Life moves fast in the NHL, and Jugnauth kept up with the pace, breaking up Draisaitl’s pass to McDavid and sending it up the ice. The Oilers quickly recovered and created another 2-on-1 with defenseman Mattias Ekholm and McDavid, but Jugnauth put himself in the way to allow Kraken goaltender Joey Daccord to make the easy save.
Speaking to the media on Thursday, Jugnauth reflected on the moment. He recalled thinking “Oh, here we go,” once he recognized the two superstars speeding towards him.
“Definitely the highlight of my career so far,” Jugnauth said. “But yeah, I think obviously it’s a confidence-builder too, that I can play against those guys on the defensive side.”
Jugnauth said he received plenty of text messages from friends and family after seeing him stand up against two of the best players in the world, and he made an impression on the coaching staff as well.
“‘Juggy’ has an ability that you can’t teach. He has a poise and a vision with the puck,” Lambert said. “Made numerous good plays, and when it came time for him to be solid defensively, he was solid defensively. He broke up a couple plays, so I was very impressed with his game last night. I felt like a player like him is even better in more of a structured situation.”
The young blue-liner is coming off an 89-point season in Portland, which led all WHL defensemen. His 33 points in 18 playoff games was tied for the fourth-highest in the league among all players. With a well-established offensive upside, his ability on defense could go a long way in determining his standing in the organization.
The opening night defensive corps is largely set in stone, but Jugnauth could be playing his way into being a priority call-up from Coachella Valley in the AHL, where he would play more minutes and should be an easier transition from the WHL.
Other Notes from Thursday
Forward prospect Ryan Winterton shared he focused on building up his lower-body strength this summer. The 22-year-old has one assist in 21 NHL games across the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons. The 2021 third-round pick has played primarily in Coachella Valley since becoming a pro in 2023 (72 points in 114 games).
“When you come up here, you kind of realize how much stronger all the guys are, in just their lower-body,” Winterton said. “It’s hard to knock them off pucks, so just being tough to knock off pucks and faster I think only helps me.”
Lambert was asked about his impression of forward Oscar Fisker Molgaard, a 2023 second-round pick who has shown flashes in camp so far.
“Really intelligent, really responsible, really knows the game,” Lambert said. “Very, very impressed with his hockey IQ, so pretty happy with his game. He’s got an exciting future, for sure.”
