In signing Ryan Lindgren to a four year, $18 million contract, the Seattle Kraken are betting that the defenseman’s best days aren’t behind him. If GM Jason Botterill’s bet pays off, Lindgren will help give Seattle the gritty reputation it’s been searching for – and quite possibly a playoff berth, too.
Some aren’t so sure. BlueshirtBanter.com wrote this before the free agent signing on July 1. “Lindgren is (27) going on 32. He plays a rough, physical game that includes a lot of hitting, grinding, and blocking shots. That has all added up over time to Lindgren’s game falling off a cliff. Lindgren will get the bag this summer and I think the team that gives it to him will ultimately regret it.”
Though harsh, that take is nuanced compared with Red Wings site OctopusThrower.com, which sounded more like flame-throwers. “Kraken saved the Red Wings and 30 other franchises from an ill-fated mistake” was their headline.
“While Lindgren’s had his moments, he’s also had a rough time staying healthy and he ended up recording fringe second-pairing ice time with the Avs. While some of his numbers themselves weren’t bad – 128 blocks, and a 90.6 on-ice save percentage at even strength, he also watched a career-high 56 shots go into his team’s net.”
I’m more optimistic. That, friends, is why ice cream shops offer chocolate and vanilla.
Summer School For Lambert
Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
New Seattle Kraken coach Lane Lambert has been busy with the Eastern Conference the past several years; assistant in Washington, head coach on Long Island, assistant last season in Toronto. So this summer, he has a whole team and a whole different conference to learn.
“When you get hired,” Lambert told NHL Network, “what you spend your time doing is creating relationships. A lot of time on the phone with players, getting to know them, watching film.”
Since losing the Islanders job, “What I was able to do over the last year-and-a-half, being (an assistant coach) in Toronto, I was able to step back.
“Sort of analyze, re-evaluate, and say, ‘There’s things I liked (how I handled) in the New York job; maybe I wouldn’t do (certain approaches) again.’ I think you can draw on that experience.”
When Seattle had its breakout 2022-23 season – 46 wins, 100 points – they were known for having “four second lines.” In other words, no superstars, but all forwards playing to or even above their perceived maximum. Lambert sounds like he’d like a repeat in Season Five. “I like our depth that we’ll be counting on. We’re a four line hockey team.”
Turbo’s Mammoth Reception
Innuendo about former Kraken Brandon Tanev not always being beloved in the dressing room doesn’t square with his warm reception in Salt Lake City.
The Utah Mammoth signed the winger nicknamed “Turbo” to a three-year, $7.5 million free agent contract. The Kraken had traded Tanev to Winnipeg for a 2nd round draft pick at last March’s trade deadline.
According to DeseretNews.com, Mammoth general manager Bill Armstrong “mentioned in his press conference Tuesday that it was also important to get guys who’d contribute positively within the locker room. Tanev, along with fellow free agent signing Nate Schmidt, will do exactly that. Throughout his various stops in the NHL, Tanev has served as a mental health advocate.”
Mammoth defenseman Sean Durzi is a summer training partner. “When he found out I was signing in Utah,” Tanev said, “he texted me right away. I saw him today – big hug at the gym.” Utah team captain Clayton Keller and former Pittsburgh teammate John Marino also reached out.
Burakovsky’s Message For Young Blackhawks
Another former Kraken, winger Andre Burakovsky, knows the message he’ll be sending to his new Chicago Blackhawks teammates. “There’s no rest days in practice. You’ve got to go all out. If you get a good practice, there’s a bigger chance you’re going to play the game (well), so that’s something I’m going to bring to the young guys.”
The Kraken dealt Burakovsky (and the remaining two years and $11 million on his contract) to the Hawks on June 21. He’d spent three injury-plagued and inconsistent seasons in Seattle. “I can bring a lot of speed,” the 30-year-old Austrian said to the Chicago Tribune. “I’m a player that likes to challenge guys one on one, make plays, create opportunities for my teammates, play a lot offensively, bring that aspect to the game.”