First Thoughts On Marchment Trade
Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
Besides the significant tangibles Mason Marchment will bring to the Seattle Kraken, don’t underestimate the intangible that analytics can’t quantify.
We’re not talking about how Mason rescues kittens or helps senior citizens across busy intersections. He may in fact do those things; we just don’t know him well enough yet. The immediate intangible is the psychological boost already provided to his new Kraken teammates.
Remember what a downer it was for players to lose Yanni Gourde and Oliver Bjorkstrand and Brandon Tanev at the trade deadline in March? Not just because they were longtime teammates and friends. Also because, though the draft pick haul in return made sense, their absence made the Kraken weaker in the short term.
Well, this time, it was the Kraken front office surrendering a pair of picks for a player who can help right away. This time, the return isn’t unknown future draftees who might make an impact in three seasons or five seasons, but a 6-foot-5, 212-pound gritty forward who tied his career high in goals with 22 last season.
As nice as it is for new general manager Jason Botterill to show fans and media that he’s on the job, his most important constituency resides within the dressing room. Those players undoubtedly have a little more bounce in their step today.
(Much more on Mason Marchment from me – like why his nickname is “Mush” – coming Monday.)
Kraken Will Have Chance To Defy The Odds
Fair warning, Kraken fans. If you’re easily triggered by national sources disrespecting your favorite hockey team, stop reading now.
For those with strong constitutions, it’s my obligation to tell you that one Las Vegas sportsbook has given the Kraken the 3rd-longest odds to win the 2026 Stanley Cup; 300-1 longshots, to be exact. According to BetMGM, only the Blackhawks and Sharks are considered less likely to raise the Cup next June.
Despite losing in the Final the last two years, the Edmonton Oilers are the way too early favorite at 13-2. The back-to-back champion Florida Panthers, at 15-2, are the second favorite. Colorado, Dallas and Carolina round out the top five.
(Below the complete list of teams and odds, make sure to read the italics for all the reasons people shouldn’t gamble.)
‘Robust Pipeline’ Could Shorten Those Odds
One veteran hockey analyst is more bullish about the Kraken – and their new head coach, Lane Lambert.
“What Seattle is getting is a very well-rounded, experienced, and well-respected coach,” said Jeff Marek of Daily Faceoff. “I think they want someone who’s done a lot of things behind the bench, handled a lot of players. They want stability in the coaching position. The other person that I knew they were interested in was Mitch Love. He’s a younger, ‘new-school’ coach. They had a four-hour meeting with Love.
“They have a really robust pipeline now, a lot of really good prospects on the horizon. To say nothing of players like Shane Wright and Matty Beniers. Seattle has locked up two key pieces (at center), one of the premium positions. I’m a big Shane Wright guy. When all is said and done, a lot of this revolves around him. He has 30-35 goal seasons in him.
“Bluntly, they need more goals. If I’m Jason Botterill, I’m out there scouring the NHL universe for goal scorers. (Again, welcome, Mason Marchment.) I know when you look at the standings, it doesn’t look like the Kraken are close. But they’re in the process of letting their young players mature. They are closer than people may think. But they flat out need players who can score goals.”
Burton Always Gets Kraken Off To Rousing Start
Seattle Kraken screengrab
Here’s as close to a sure thing as you’re likely to get: Tommie Burton getting most Kraken home games off to a rousing start through his rendition of the National Anthem.
Burton, who’s called Seattle home for 34 years, never imagined a career as a sports team’s anthem singer. “Later in my life, I sort of began to feel the desire to sing,” Burton told SeattleMedium.com. “During my spare time, I would listen to a lot of soul and R&B music, always actively singing.”
Burton drew cheers at a Pioneer Square bar’s open mic night. Eventually, he started performing at Seattle nightspots.
As a member of the Northwest African American Museum’s Cultural Ensemble, “The Kraken wanted us to sing for them (in 2021) for Black Hockey History Night. Later on, they wanted us to sing the national anthem, and everybody in the choir seemed to just look at me.”
Prior to the 2021-22 season, Burton won an audition to become the Kraken’s anthem singer. “Sometimes I have to pinch myself, like, wow, I am really singing in front of 17,000 fans,” said Burton. “It is an honor to be able to sing, represent our city, and bring our community together.”