With the offseason and summer in their waning days, there is one thing that is about to be born… a new NHL season. The Carolina Hurricanes gave us a little excitement the last week with their offer sheet to Montreal Canadiens center Jesperi Kotkaniemi, which was not matched by Montreal. Then, Montreal made a trade for Christian Dvorak with the most confusing team in the league otherwise known as the Arizona Coyotes. All of which will lead up to NHL camps starting to open in approximately two weeks.
Last week Kraken the Ice introduced you to the projected first line the Seattle Kraken might roll out onto the ice. This week we dive into the deep end with the projected second line.
Left-Wing
Marcus Johansson was signed by the Seattle Kraken to a one-year deal worth $1.5 million. Small price to pay for the talent within. Marcus was selected in the 2009 draft by the Washington Capitals with pick number 24. The 6′ 1″ 230lb forward has made his name in the NHL as a slick skating forward that plays a strong two-way game. NHL scouts have always said nothing will wow you about Johansson’s game but that’s because he does so many things well and so few poorly. And at this point in the Kraken history, with zero games played, they will need all the skill they can muster.
His best season came in 2016-17 with the Capitals. The Caps were the best team in the league that year and Marcus dropped a career-high 24 goals and 58 points. Since that season Johansson has struggled to find that type of offensive prowess due to injury and ice time. The Kraken hope that a change of scenery, a chip on the shoulder, and talented linemates will bring out the shine this talented forward used to have.
Center
Another first-round pick at number 24 in 2014, Jared McCann might be the sleeper from the expansion draft. Slick hands, good speed, and hockey sense that can’t be taught all come with the 25-year-old. In Pittsburgh McCann played on the third line with Brandon Tanev (minus a brief stint filling in for Malkin) to some success but also played on the power play scoring seven of his 14 goals with the man advantage. Coach Dave Hakstol might want to rekindle the chemistry shown by Tanev and McCann in Pittsburgh, but the way things are now, second-line center duties for Jared seem to be the right choice.
Given some proper ice time, Seattle could see this kid flourish in Coach Hakstol’s north-south system that favors speed, aggressiveness (and I don’t mean fighting), and possession. His work in the open ice and along the boards is where he shines, be it carrying the puck up the wing or plopping his 6′ 1″ frame in front of the net. McCann has a quick release on a wicked snapshot that might just see the back of the net often!
Right-Wing
On March 31st, 2021 Joonas Donskoi scored a hat-trick over a span of 3:27 in the first period of their game against the Arizona Coyotes. That feat was the second-fastest in franchise history behind Alain Cote who did it in 2:17 back in 1982. Don’t get too hyped. Those were three of his 17 goals in the 2020-21 season, a season that was the 30-year-old’s best on record.
The 4th round draft pick will be a solid contributor to a line that has energy in spades and hockey IQ that could stun a team of oxen. Donskoi’s game is similar to a lot of the Kraken roster; hard-working, fast skating, and smart with or without the puck. Do you see a theme building here? While Joonas is not ideally suited for a second-line wing slot, the thought here is that experience playing in the high octane offense of the Colorado Avalanche will give the line and the team a much-needed kick in the pants.
The trend emerging here is that Seattle will have a team that works hard and never quits. The Kraken are not going to stun you with flashy talent out of the gate, but they will beat you into submission then use their skill and smarts to counter-attack on the transition.
Stay tuned as we dip our toes into the pool of the third line next week.
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