The father of psychoanalysis – and phallic analogies – Sigmund Freud, never actually said, “Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar.” It’s attributed to him, though, because the joke makes a valid point (and, okay, it’s funny). Reading between the lines of what anyone says can be awfully tricky.
Take the quotes from Pierre LeBrun’s Seattle Kraken story (paywalled) in The Athletic. Comments from captain Jordan Eberle and general manager Jason Botterill can easily be misconstrued, taken out of context, or given undue weight.
But let’s read between the lines anyway!
Jordan Eberle
What he said: “(New coach Lane Lambert) brings an emphasis on structure that we desperately need. For me, the words I think about are his intensity, his attention to detail.”
What’s between the lines: This sounds like a damning indictment of 2024-25 Kraken coach Dan Bylsma. The need for structure is “desperate?” If true – I’m not sure it is – what was Disco Dan doing all season? And if the players really did slack off because teacher wasn’t holding them accountable, shame on them.
Somewhere, Dave Hakstol is shaking his head and thinking, “Intensity? Attention to detail? The Kraken already had a coach like that before.”
What he said: “I don’t see us not competing for a playoff spot this year. We definitely need to be in the mix.”
What’s between the lines: Again, I’m parsing, perhaps applying more scrutiny than deserved. Maybe the captain and 15-year NHL veteran is wisely managing expectations. But “I don’t see us not competing” sure sounds like a meek assessment of the team’s outlook this season. Saying the Kraken “need” to be in the mix is far different from saying they “will” be in the mix.
What he said: “I think we have one of the better D corps in the Western Conference, a lot of good depth up front and a good goaltender.”
What’s between the lines: Since the Kraken finished 8th in team defense two years ago, the blueline has added Brandon Montour, Ryan Lindgren, and a full season of Ryker Evans, while losing Will Borgen. If the D corps stays healthy, combined with a return to more help from the forwards, Eberle could be right.
Also interesting is the captain’s use of the singular “good goaltender,” referring to Joey Daccord. This could be a subtle, unspoken acknowledgement of what the statistics show – Philipp Grubauer has underachieved for most of his four Seattle seasons, and the team isn’t expecting a revival in year five.
Jason Botterill
What he said: “I like a lot of (coach Lambert’s) defensive philosophies – like protecting the front of the net. These are things we have to improve on for sure as an organization.”
What’s between the lines: No question, the Kraken have to tighten up in the defensive zone. But I can’t help raising an eyebrow at “protecting the front of the net” being a defensive philosophy. Show me a coach who says, “We’re going to let the other offense wander around wherever they want and hope for the best,” and then I’ll have learned a new approach to winning hockey.
What he said: “I think our organization in the next year or two has to take that step to be, I’m not going to say a team that vies for the Stanley Cup, but a team that certainly competes for a playoff spot.”
What’s between the lines: Like Eberle, Botterill is both prudent and realistic in managing expectations. Patience isn’t a bad recipe for an expansion franchise. Usually, patience in this context equals a half-decade or more.
Should merely competing for a playoff spot still be a year away – remember, 16 of 32 teams qualify for the postseason – there won’t be much short-term joy in Krakeland. If the team is in the standings cellar again come March’s trade deadline, Botterill’s Bargain Basement could open for business, featuring veterans on expiring contracts available for rental.
What he said: “The escalating cap – we get all the resources we want in Seattle, but there’s also expectations, and you have to eventually find a way to win.”
What’s between the lines: Along with an admirable open pocketbook, Kraken ownership has developed a bit of a hair trigger. Two coaching staffs and one GM have been jettisoned since May, 2024.
The truism throughout sports is that the clock is ALWAYS ticking. Seattle is Botterill’s second GM job, as well as Lambert’s second head coaching gig. They both know time is finite if they don’t want to be forced to go looking for a third opportunity somewhere else.