A month ago, if you were told the Kraken were planning to sign a goalie in free agency, that would have been “phone your friends, wake the neighbors” news – because it would have indicated Seattle was moving on from four-year netminder Philipp Grubauer.
Well, the Kraken on Tuesday did sign a free agent goalie, but Grubauer wasn’t bought out, so leave your friends and neighbors be. It is technically correct that Matt Murray, signed for one year at $1 million, is a replacement for a goaltender in the Kraken organization – but not Grubauer.
Ales Stezka, who shouldered much of the load for the Kraken’s AHL Coachella Valley farm club, has signed to play in Czechia. So the Firebirds needed a veteran partner to share the net with 2022 Kraken draft pick Nikke Kokko. Since both Grubauer and number one netminder Joey Daccord missed time with injuries last year, it’s not beyond the realm of possibility that we see Murray in Seattle at some point next season.
Injuries have taken a major bite out of Murray’s career. The goalie won back-to-back Stanley Cups with Pittsburgh in 2016 and 2017 – his first two NHL seasons. (Kraken general manager Jason Botterill was Penguins assistant GM for both those titles.) After that, Murray went from charmed to cursed – four concussions, an unspecified lower body injury, and an adductor injury, and in 2023 underwent hip surgery.
Since 2020, he’s only played 75 NHL games, split between the Ottawa Senators and Toronto Maple Leafs. His combined goals-against average with the Sens and Leafs is north of three. “Matt has dealt with injuries,” Seattle general manager Jason Botterill said in an understatement. “We feel he’s healthy. We feel he’s hungry to come in and compete for a position.”
Murray and new Kraken goaltending coach Colin Zulianello know each other, as both hail from Thunder Bay, Ont. In the best of all worlds, Zulianello could revive Murray’s career in the same way it’s hoped he can work his magic on Grubauer.
In the VERY best of all possible worlds, Matt Murray will start for the Firebirds next season against the Milwaukee Admirals, and the goalie in the opposition net will be a prospect named Matthew Murray.
On The Subject Of Goalie Prospects…
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Development camp concludes Thursday at Kraken Community Iceplex. While coaches focus on prospects at KCI, the front office’s attention also extends to a 6-foot-3 Russian goalie who isn’t able to join the rest of the campers.
2021 6th round pick Semyon Vyazovoi was promoted early last season to the KHL, Russia’s top-tier league. In 28 appearances for Salavat Yulaev Ufa, Vyazovoi went 14-7-1, with a sparkling 1.80 GAA, .938 save pct. and five shutouts.
EliteProspects.com called the 22-year-old “fantastic,” adding, “In his first two seasons in the VHL with Toros Neftekamsk, the netminder stayed near the top of the league in save percentage with a .920 as a rookie and a .929 in his sophomore year. He’s made the jump to Salavat Yulaev and has made it look just as easy in the KHL.”
Botterill commented, “We’re in constant communication with his agent. He’s in Russia for another year. It’s a great opportunity for him to be the go-to starter there. He had a great playoff run (last season). Now he can be the go-to guy for an entire season. We’ve been very happy with the goalies we’ve selected over the last couple of years. It’s a strength of our organization, with Kokko, (2024 draftee Kim) Saarinen, Vyazovoi. A lot of depth.”
Botterill Family: One GM, One HHOF
Big 2025 hockey news for the Botterill clan: brother Jason getting promoted to Kraken general manager on April 22. Bigger 2025 hockey news for the Botterill clan: sister Jennifer being elected into the Hockey Hall of Fame on June 24.
“It was a pretty good week, for sure,” said Jason. “She’s worked extremely hard to earn this. It’s great to see all her hard work being rewarded. It was pretty cool, the fact that she was back in Manitoba, back at my parents’ cottage. Her family was back there visiting. Instead of my parents receiving that phone call, they could have the hug and be a part of it right there.”
Anchorage Celebrates ‘Kraken Week’
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Kraken depth forward John Hayden happily changed positions last week. At the fourth annual “Kraken Week” in Anchorage, Alaska, Hayden transformed into a hockey ambassador.
He participated in a youth hockey camp along with Kraken mascot Buoy. “If we can help push and inspire the next wave of Alaskan hockey players, it’d be great, so (I’m) just here to encourage them, have some fun and be out there on the ice with them,” Hayden said.
His advice to campers? “It’s possible for any kid. A lot of people think that NHLers are born that way. But you can work your way to as good as you want to be.”
According to AlaskaNewsSource.com, “Players ages 7-16 got a chance to learn from Kraken youth coaches, as well as those from Anchorage Hockey Academy, and sharpen their skills with drills on and off the ice. Thirteen of the attendees even received financial assistance from the Bristol Bay Native Corporation in order to make it.”
Describing the week in total, “It’s awesome. A little bit of everything,” Hayden said. “Everything” included a Make-A-Wish meeting with a young leukemia patient. “Meeting Caleb today, going to a hockey camp, and a fishing trip, it’s been great.” The week concluded with a free community skate.