While the head coach of the Seattle Kraken will be different for each of Joey Daccord’s first three full seasons, what’s unlikely to change is the goalie’s heavy workload.
Daccord played 50 games in net in 2023-24 for Dave Hakstol. He made 57 appearances last season for Dan Bylsma. Whoever the new Kraken coach happens to be, and whether his goaltending partner is Philipp Grubauer or someone else, there’s no reason to believe Daccord will have a diminished role in 2025-26.
Confidence in the 28-year-old Boston native is certainly warranted. Two years ago, Daccord ranked 6th in the NHL (minimum 25 games) in both save percentage – .916 – and goals-against average – 2.46. That was with a Seattle squad which tied for 8th in team defense. Using a more up-tempo style last season, the Kraken fell to 24th in goals-allowed per game. Yet Daccord still managed an above-average GAA (2.75) and save % (.906).
Some speculated that late in the season, Daccord’s play faltered under a withering workload, partially necessitated by Grubauer battling the flu. It’s true that over his final 16 starts, Joey had a save percentage north of .900 in just six games.
However, these types of numbers lack context – a depleted Kraken roster was minus Yanni Gourde, Oliver Bjorkstrand and Brandon Tanev. Further, in a five-game stretch between Mar. 27-Apr. 7, Daccord backstopped wins over the Oilers, Canucks, Sharks and Kings, stopping 114 of 117 shots.
So for this Kraken Reaction I went to the source, asking the goalie about his workload.