Veteran Seattle Kraken winger Jordan Eberle has been surprisingly blunt about what ailed his non-playoff team last season. I asked the Kraken captain, entering his 16th NHL season, about that.
Glenn Dreyfuss, DJLR: “Jordan, you said recently that more structure was ‘desperately needed.’ I was wondering whether that means players need to take more accountability for themselves and each other than they did last year, whether or not it’s demanded from the coaches?”
Jordan Eberle: “I think it’s two ways, really. You have a structure in place that everyone understands, everyone gets. The accountability is really if you don’t follow that, or you’re going outside of that.
“I’ve had (Kraken coach) Lane (Lambert) in Long Island. A lot of similarities to what we’re doing now, we had there. His bread and butter is details, assignments, structure, teams that play together as a five-man unit and not straying outside that. He’s quick to hold guys accountable, which is important.
“But more than that, the best teams that I’ve played on are the ones that, you make a mistake and you feel worse about letting your teammates down.
“Last year, structure-wise, I felt like there were a lot of nights that we really competed. We’d play 55 really good minutes, and it was two breakdowns that we had that can easily be fixed, whether it was faceoff assignments, wall plays, stick battles in front, little details that maybe go unnoticed by the average fan. But stuff that is critically important, especially as you get to the playoffs, that can win or lose a game. For me, that stuff needs to be cleaned up.
“As far as accountability, we have a pretty good leadership crew in this locker room. Our guys have played a lot of games, guys who have won Cups, guys who’ve been around for a while. They know what it takes to win. They know how you have to play to win. It’s just a matter of doing on a night-to-night basis.”
‘Cerebral’ Berkly Catton
The captain also spoke about less weighty matters. One was his high regard for 2024 Kraken 1st round draft pick Berkly Catton, who stands an excellent chance of making Seattle’s opening night roster. Eberle, from Regina, Sask., is practically provincial neighbors with Catton, born 162 miles up SK-11 in Saskatoon.
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“I love that he’s a Saskatchewan kid. He’s going to be a hell of a player. I think you see the numbers he put up last year.
“One thing that stands out with me, he’s cerebral, his IQ level. He sees the ice well. As he plays more and gets more confidence, like any young guy, he’s going to get better. My only advice is, do what got you here. Use your skill, use your speed, be confident, make plays.
“Guys are going to talk about whether he’s big enough to play (Catton is 5-10, 179). You know, I was that size when I was his age. The game has gotten much more skilled and fast, and he’s got it all. He’s able to protect pucks. I’m looking forward to getting a chance to play with him.”
Hard-Throwing Righty From Regina
Among the under-appreciated reasons for the Seattle Mariners’ September surge is Eberle throwing out the first pitch before the M’s waxed the Anaheim Angels, 11-2 at T-Mobile Park on Sept. 14.
“It’s a little bit nerve-racking. You’re out of your comfort zone a little bit. but for me to do that stuff, now that I’ve got a family, they’re able to come watch. It’s kind of neat for them. Plus, the Mariners are rolling right now. It’s fun to watch. I think the city’s got a lot of hype right now.”