Analysis: Takeaways One Week Into Kraken Training Camp
Only a week after camp opened, the Seattle Kraken are already closing in on the end of their brief preseason slate. They completed two games last weekend, winning both of the matchups against the Canucks and Flames, before defeating Calgary again 4-3 on Thursday night at Climate Pledge Arena.
What have we learned about Lane Lambert’s squad in year two so far? Who has made the biggest impression? Let’s discuss three takeaways after a week of camp and three preseason contests:
Upstart youngsters get reassigned
Ty Nelson is making it increasingly difficult to ignore him. The 23-year-old defenseman scored in both of Seattle’s preseason games last weekend, including a goal in Sunday’s 4-2 victory over Calgary. But the goals are only part of what has made Nelson stand out. The problem for Nelson? Seattle has a crowded blue line, and the Kraken ultimately reassigned him to Coachella Valley following the weekend.
Jagger Firkus and Jani Nyman also gave fans things to talk about. Both have a goal through two games and Nyman added an assist. Tyson Jugnauth had a fantastic Prospect Showcase against the Canucks’ youngsters. They all now head to Coachella Valley for further seasoning. It feels like just a matter of time before that group makes an impact at the NHL level.
O’Brien makes his push for a roster spot
There may not be a more intriguing prospect in camp than Jake O’Brien. The No. 8 overall pick from the 2025 NHL Draft made his preseason debut last Saturday and immediately gave Kraken fans something to watch. O’Brien scored a goal and added an assist in Seattle’s 4-2 win over Vancouver, showing off the offensive instincts that made him such a highly regarded prospect.
O’Brien remains in camp following the first round of cuts, which is a testament to the impact he is making. Unfortunately, he sat out the following game against Calgary. He is currently listed as day-to-day with a lower-body injury but Lambert stated it’s mostly precautionary. They don’t want to misstep with their most prized prospect in camp and top one overall outside of Chase Reid, who is set to join Michigan State in the NCAA this season. Given O’Brien survived the first wave of cuts, there’s a chance he could make the roster with a strong finish, if he’s healthy.
Veterans trying to gel in final preseason games
As evidenced in Thursday’s game, the exhibition finale for the Kraken should look far different than the youth showcases that played out in the first two games earlier this month.
The first weekend was dominated by prospects and young players fighting for an opportunity, with many already sent to the AHL. Now, with Seattle’s roster trimmed considerably, the established veteran NHL players get more of the spotlight.
That makes the last game an important measuring stick for players such as Matty Beniers, Shane Wright, Jared McCann, and the rest of Seattle’s projected NHL lineup. It’s less about making the roster and more about getting comfortable skating with each other and creating chemistry, which started in earnest in a 4-3 win on Thursday where the vets struggled early before finding their ice legs in the third period to steal the win.
Closing out the preseason on a strong note is definitely important for players like Bobby McMann and Mackie Samoskevich, neither of whom started camp with Seattle last season. Samoskevich is slated to play on the top line with Matty Beniers and Jared McCann after coming over via trade from the Florida Panthers. McMann gets a long runway as one of the top forwards on this roster after getting lost in the shuffle in Toronto and scored a goal on Thursday. He and Lambert clearly work well together after their time with the Maple Leafs and after the trade deadline last year in Seattle.
