SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - APRIL 15: Kaapo Kakko #84 of the Seattle Kraken looks on against the Los Angeles Kings at Climate Pledge Arena on April 15, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)Photo: Steph Chambers / Getty Images Sport / Getty Images
To say that forward Kaapo Kakko’s hand injury, which the Seattle Kraken said on Saturday will sideline him for six weeks, is a blow might be understating matters a bit.
They are currently battling the injury bug and yet, still 11 days away from an opening night schedule that will thrust them into regular season battle at Climate Pledge Arena, against the Anaheim Ducks.
Is that an aid or a hinderance? It depends on who you ask, but head coach Lane Lambert said after practice on Sunday at Kraken Community Iceplex, the door is open for the batch of fresh-faced youth to emerge at the top of lineup decisions, just a day after fate became clear on Kaako’s timetable after leaving Wednesday’s pre-season win on a slash from the Oilers’ Beau Akey.
“Kaapo is a loss for us, but at the same time, there's time for other guys to get the opportunity,” said Lambert.
“The good news is his upper body will be able to stay in shape and we’ll be looking forward to getting him back.”
One of those opportunities is going to forward Jani Nyman. The 21-year-old forward, who arrived in training camp with more muscle to his imposing 6-foot-2 and 212-pound frame, has been a fixture on Matty Beniers’ line with Kakko.
Nyman has done more than just survive the wave of cuts. He’s thrived and possibly played his way into opening night roster conversation with a team-leading four goals in three preseason games.
Those goals haven’t come in a one-dimensional variety either, most notably with a trademark howitzer shot. He showed it off successfully in his pre-season debut, but it followed up the first of a two-goal night where he stalked the Canucks net on a rush opportunity and finished a silky cross-ice pass at the left post from Kakko.
Nyman followed that up with defensive muscle to close out a 4-1 win at Edmonton on Wednesday, capping a grueling six-on-five shift with an empty net goal. He then got his stick on a Lukas Dragicevic blast at Vancouver on Friday, filling the shot lane to successfully screen goaltender Kevin Lankinen.
With Kakko now out, Jordan Eberle is getting reps on Beniers’ line to the opposite wing, another wrinkle in Kraken roster decisions with forward Jared McCann, defenseman Brandon Montour, and center Chandler Stephenson additionally sidelined.
McCann and Montour appeared at practice, separate from the main group, in regular jerseys but Lambert stopped short of declaring them fit for the final week of pre-season play.
“I feel very confident that they'll be back for, for opening night,” Lambert said.
Two more games remain to accumulate final evaluations and decisions, still leaving notables such as forwards Oscar Molgaard and Berkly Catton with the big club. Nine defensemen remain, and Montour’s absence still momentarily opens spots for defenseman Cale Fleury and Ville Ottavainen, both who filled integral roles last year in the American Hockey League with the Coachella Valley Firebirds. Two additional goaltenders remain behind starter Joey Daccord in Philipp Grubauer and Matt Murray, the latter who turned in 33 saves and 15 in the third period alone, in Friday’s loss at Vancouver.
Catton’s case is an interesting one. Kraken president of hockey operations Ron Francis explained last March that he expects Catton to play nine games before the team decides to keep him (activating his three-year entry level contract) or send him back to the Spokane Chiefs, who hold his rights in the Western Hockey League. A prolific scorer at the major junior level and last year’s first round pick of the Kraken, Catton is still searching for his first point of the pre-season.
Molgaard has made his ascension as a cerebral center with sturdy defensive play, face-off aptitude, and an occasional offensive contribution (two assists in three games). At just 20 years of age, one year older than Catton, the Hjorring, Denmark product said his time last year in the Swedish Hockey League, well known for bruising and physical play with pro experienced talent, prepared him for the possible jump to the NHL.
“I'm used to playing against grown men every day, and I've been doing so from an early age,” said Molgaard, registering on the scales at 6-foot and 168 pounds. “I think that's an advantage for me coming in here, being able to handle a physical game, and make smart plays, given that I'm not the biggest guy out there.
“I have to be smart and use my feet instead.”
Those attributes have already caught Lambert’s attention.
“I've liked him a lot,” said Lambert. “He's made a strong statement for himself. Very responsible player. He does things that you can teach, but at his age, he knows these things already, and he's played very well. I'm impressed with his game.”
The Kraken will face the Calgary Flames in the penultimate pre-season matchup, Monday night, 7pm PT at Climate Pledge Arena (950-AM KJR).