Linda Cohn: 3 bright spots in Kraken’s rough season

It’s been another disappointing season for the Seattle Kraken.

NHL Insider: Why Seattle Kraken are at a ‘crossroads’

After nearly reaching the Western Conference Final in 2023, the Kraken are on track to miss the playoffs for a second straight year. They sit seventh out of eight teams in the Pacific Division with 52 points (24-29-4) and are 11 points out of the Western Conference’s final wild card with 25 games to go. According to Hockey Reference, their playoff odds are a mere 0.6%.

However, there have still been a few bright spots amid an otherwise dreary season. Longtime SportsCenter anchor Linda Cohn, who is a host on the Kraken Hockey Network, mentioned a few of those positives during an appearance Tuesday on Seattle Sports’ Bump and Stacy.

Wright’s breakout year

As the No. 4 overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft, Shane Wright came to Seattle with sky-high expectations. The success wasn’t immediate, as he spent most of his first two seasons with AHL affiliate Coachella Valley. But after a slow start this season, the 21-year-old center has experienced a third-year breakout.

Wright has totaled 31 points in 54 games this season, racking up 12 goals and 19 assists while growing into his role as a third-line forward. He had just two points through his first 18 games, but has since recorded a team-high 29 points (11 goals and 18 assists) over his past 36 games.

“I am so happy for Shane Wright,” Cohn said. “He is one of the real good guys on this team. He has persevered. He has gone down to (Kraken AHL affiliate) Coachella. He has done what is asked. A lot of expectations (were) on him with a high pick. He has developed into some kind of player, and he’s only going to get better.”

wrighter with an absolutely FILTHY move here 😮‍💨 pic.twitter.com/tQMrvH3JcO

— Seattle Kraken (@SeattleKraken) October 3, 2024

Daccord’s steady goaltending

After signing a five-year, $25 million contract in October that kicks in next season, Joey Daccord has shined in his second year as the Kraken’s top goaltender. The 28-year-old netminder has gone 19-14-3 while ranking sixth in the NHL in save percentage (.916) and ninth in goals against average (2.49). He also ranks third with 20.4 goals saved above average, according to Money Puck.

“He has kept this team in every single game they have played,” Cohn said. “You cannot blame anything on Joey. And plus, he’s become a face of this franchise. He is fun and he brings people into beautiful Climate Pledge Arena.”

how about this @WaFdBank Save of the Game from JOEY OK 👀 pic.twitter.com/snKW3yiKsj

— Seattle Kraken (@SeattleKraken) January 28, 2025

Kakko excelling in new home

In mid-December, the Kraken acquired 24-year-old forward Kaapo Kakko from the New York Rangers in exchange for defenseman Will Borgen, a third-round pick and a sixth-round pick. The move has worked out quite well for Seattle, with Kakko enjoying the best stretch of his six-year career.

After totaling 21 points (six goals and 15 assists) in 30 games with the Rangers this season, Kakko has already surpassed those numbers with the Kraken. As a first-line right wing, the Finland native has racked up 17 points (five goals and 12 assists) in 24 games with Seattle. Since joining the Kraken on Dec. 19, he’s tied for second on the team in points and has averaged a career-high 2.4 points per 60 minutes.

“Unbelievable move,” Cohn said. “(Kraken general manager Ron Francis) saw something that obviously most of the league did not. … Kaapo Kakko, in my mind, has exceeded expectations. I’ve watched a lot of Rangers games, and he never felt comfortable with the Rangers. He never felt like he had a home on a certain line. I think he always was looking over his shoulder. And he lost confidence.

“So I have to admit, I was stunned, because I didn’t see this game (in New York) that Kaapo Kakko has displayed with the Kraken. I only (saw it) in flashes with the Rangers. So kudos to Ron Francis. An unbelievable move he pulled off.”

THAT WAS FAST 😳

Kaapo Kakko finds the back of the net twice in 1:40! pic.twitter.com/s1T1o0tNUw

— NHL (@NHL) January 11, 2025

Listen to the full conversation with Linda Cohn at this link or in the audio player near the top of this story. Tune in to Bump and Stacy weekdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. or find the podcast on the Seattle Sports app.

More on the Seattle Kraken and the NHL

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