December 14, 2025 • 25 mins
Mike Benton is joined by Kraken TV play-by-play voice John Forslund ahead of the Dec. 14 matchup at Climate Pledge Arena between the Kraken and Buffalo Sabres.
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (00:00):
I think everyone's been great of kind of showing me
the way and showing me what I need to bring
to this team. Obviously, I'm gonna bring a fierce attitude
every night. I'm gonna play physical, I'm gonna win puck battles,
and I'm going to be reliable defensively and try to
bring as much energy to this team as possible and
home games get the fans going as much as I can.
Speaker 3 (00:18):
Welcome to Kraken this morning, a presentation of the krak
and Audio network Ken Sports Radio ninety three point three
KJR FM. Here's Mike Benton. He's back after being called
up on Saturday. That was for Jacob Mallonson.
Speaker 4 (00:33):
Back in training camp in September and the Seattle Crack
and hoping he can bring more of those attributes as
they take on the Buffalo Sabers in the first of
two consecutive home games in the last two home games
before the holiday break as well. Mike Betton, with you
for cracking this morning. On a Sunday, December fourteenth, five pm.
Puck drop coming your way from Climate Pledgerina Ever it
(00:53):
fits you, Alconiski on the call, I'll join you as
usual back by the course light landing in section twenty. Postgame,
catch us live at Tom's watch Bar right across the street,
al Kiniski and myself with you all the way up
to an hour after the final horn ninety three to
three KJRFM and for game coverage all across the Global
(01:14):
Credit Union Kraken Audio Network. So if Malanson and jere
McCann off to injury reserve, that shouldn't be a surprise
after he was ruled knocked out for action for three
weeks after sustaining a lower body injury against the Kings
back on Wednesdays. So the Crack and adding a little
bit more jam here to the lineup, and we'll talk
about the state of matters right now on the Crack
(01:37):
and with TV play by play man John Foresland of
course on the Krack and Hockey Network will also discuss
Mason Marchment, the progress of Shane Wright, insights into the
first matchup with Buffalo, and the Quinn Hughes deal. It
was big and it rocked the hockey world. But where
does John measure it with other big trades? Other blockbuster
(01:59):
trades would have gone down in NHL history. Looking forward
to hearing from John Forestland. We can certainly bet a
lot of straight talk coming, as they'll join us here
in just a matter of moments. A little flashback as
well to Friday with the Kraken taking on the Utah
Mammoth and with the game scoreless in period two. It
was Mason march Mint who had a big game in mind.
Speaker 5 (02:22):
Turka kicked it ahead, but Freddy Gidrou intercepting. Now Mason
Marshman gets behind the defense Marschman a backhand stars Mason Marshmant,
turns on the sheets down the right side, turns the
corner on the defense, goes under the bar on Vmilka.
It's a one nothing Seattle Cracking lead, sixteen to twenty
(02:43):
five to go on the second Yeah, Mason Marshmurt getting
his step on the Mammoth defenseman.
Speaker 6 (02:48):
They're using his long reach to get around them, and
then makes a great move on Mamilka. Four hand, backhand
up under the bar blocker side one nothing cracking.
Speaker 5 (02:57):
Mason Marchmant on the right side, Montour line, far side
near wing circle.
Speaker 6 (03:02):
Mars Matt scoos.
Speaker 5 (03:08):
Mason Marshmittt's got two and the Seattle Kracking tie this
game at two twelve ten to go on the third well, a.
Speaker 6 (03:17):
Very similar shot to a power play one timer Mason
Marshman's at the top of the circles. That put goes
over to Linger on the far side about three feet
inside the blue line. He feeds into Marchmen March Mint
with that one timer, beating Vamilka Low on that blocker's side.
This game's tied to two.
Speaker 5 (03:34):
Gunther two pa Turk up right sign a Lexiak one
hands it up top held in by surrogate chev Smalltz
near side Gunther.
Speaker 3 (03:43):
He scores.
Speaker 4 (03:48):
Telling so despite mass first two goal out eight of
his cracking career, special teams again making a big difference
and the Cracking unfortunately coming up short as a result,
going zero for four on the power play and for
five on three time in a span of one minute
and forty two seconds, Utah going one of two on
the man advantage and their lone power play goal serving
(04:11):
the eventual game winner. Final score Utah five, Cracking three
and the home team so far has won all four
matchups in the Lifetime series. It's back home now for
the Kraken, taking on Buffalo and looking to get back
on the winning path. Right now five points back of
the cut line in the Western Conference with a record
(04:32):
of twelve eleven and six and facing Buffalo right now
in the basement at thirteen fourteen and four in the
Eastern Conference. All right, back home for two more and
that's it as far as the holiday break, And that's
getting closer here than what we certainly think it is.
But for now, happy holidays in Merry Christmas. Here to
John Forest lind our friend TV play by play voice
(04:54):
of course on the TV side for Crack and Hockey Network,
also Amazon Prime, TNT. Johnny again for doing this here.
And I want to put this to bed because did
you scare a couple of folks online saying that the
Utah broadcast was your last game? And this was basically
nothing but a joke with Edzel on the air.
Speaker 1 (05:11):
Yeah, he was just giving me the business. So it's
great to be with you, Michael. Yeah. Uh. And so
I just said I've had enough and I announced my
retirement prematurely.
Speaker 4 (05:22):
Well me, Hey, it's do you remember the whole comment
by Devin Coolly about two years ago that we're all
gonna die, but we're.
Speaker 1 (05:27):
Just trying to still lives. He still goes by that
lives by whatever you want to say. Yeah, it's very true.
I mean, that's that's appropriate.
Speaker 4 (05:35):
Live in the moment here, That's that's why we enjoy
this business. Hey, Johnny, I mean this team has been
fluctuating on special teams are still though, hanging in the mix.
They've been banged up with injuries, but they're still hanging
in the mix. So what's surprising was not surprising to
you where matters are approaching game thirty and the crack
in the game above five hundred.
Speaker 1 (05:57):
Just that they have to somehow stay connected it as
a group. It's hard to do. You know, injuries are
all over the National Hockey League. Okay, yesterday is watching
you know, in New Jersey play yesterday afternoon, and you
know there's eight players off their roster that are injured
right now, and a few of those are very significant players. Okay,
(06:19):
So this is not something that is just hitting the crack,
and it's hitting every team because of the scheduling and
the compressed nature of the schedule and go on. That
could be a theory that could be attached to who knows,
just could be bad luck. Whatever the case is, you've
got to kind of weather the storm. Here before the
holiday break. It's the danger zone right now for the Kraken.
(06:40):
You know, the game in Utah is a perfect example
of playing well for the lion's share of the game
and getting out of there with zero And unfortunately, those
are the games that are going to end up biting
you at the end of the season because the moral
victories are long gone. You got to bank points. You
got to continue to be in the neighborhoo of one
(07:00):
point per game and hopefully get you two and do that.
And what's that going to take. And that's going to
take a team that can't come a part of the teams,
a team that cannot concentrate on whatever situations right now
are problematic. Yes, the special teams are an iore. Those
are coachable situations. Those are situations that have to be fixed.
(07:22):
Those are sometimes unexplainable. The players though, unfortunately, have to
mentally get through a period where there's a lot of
focus on that. And how do you focus on special
teams at the expense of your even strength, your five
on five game, your overall team games. To me, that's
your strength and I've told you this over and over again,
that's the strength of the Seattle Krakens the team game,
(07:44):
and they have to focus on that. That's going to
help the goalies. That's going to help them Eventually, it's
going to make you a better penalty killing team. I
can't speak to the power play because again, their talent
has to be taken into consideration about one hundred percent
sure they have the same fire up power as other
teams when it comes to the power play. Don't worry
about it, continue to practice, to continue to work on it.
(08:06):
Don't worry about the power play. Fix your penalty killing.
Penally killing is systematic, it's hard work, and it's goaltending.
I mean, those are the three items that have to
be in place. Every team can get better at it.
You know, a few seasons ago to Crack and we're
floundering with their penalty killing, and thanks to Dave Lowry,
they made some adjustments and all of a sudden they
started the climb Climb, climb, and they were the upper
(08:27):
third of the league by the end of the season.
So to me, that's fixable. A power play is something
that fans and us look at all the time because
it's so obvious. That's not an easy fix. But your kill,
to me, is an easier thing to address and get through,
and that it's going to help them get through this period.
Speaker 4 (08:47):
Control your controllables basically. In other words, yere I go
back again and stay with the Utah game. Johnny, what'd
you take away watching Mason marchmant on Friday night?
Speaker 1 (08:58):
Well, I mean you're going to be have a game
like that and you can put a string of games
together like that and play on a consistent basis where
you're getting shots directed at the net. I believe he
had twelve attempts. I think he had done at the
top of their list that way done at fourteen attempts
and less in Friday night's game. You know, these are
(09:19):
situations for Marchmen that have not been evident. You know,
he has not come as advertised, He has not gone
to the net enough. The krap and need a player
like that. That's why Jason Botro went out and got
this guy. I mean it was to address a need
going to the net. Papocaco's another player that you know,
whether it's injuries, whatever the situation is. He's had some
(09:41):
bum luck, there's no question about it. But he needs
to be stronger on the boards and in my opinion,
he needs to go to the net in my opinion,
on a more regular basis. So these are players that
have the frame and the skill set and hopefully the
mindset to play that way, and if they don't, it
just just raises another issue with the Krakens team game,
which is they're two SOPs in terms of getting to
(10:03):
the interior of the ice. So Marchman can be a
leader that way. There are rumors attached to this player
now as far as a trading piece and so on.
That's obvious because he's in a contract year. But if
he wants to get paid in Seattle, or if he
wants to move to another team, that's up to him.
He's going to become more marketable than he's been. And
I hope, I hope whatever happened in Utah. And it's
(10:25):
ironic that you know the one player who and I
knew Brian Marchman very well. He was a friend of mine.
You know, his dad wasn't there without all the other dads.
And look who had the best game for the cracking, right,
So somebody was watching upstairs, Mush Senior was watching upstairs
at that and probably saying, Mace, you can do this.
Just get back to your skill set as a hockey player.
(10:48):
Don't worry about other things that are surrounding you. Play
a meat and potatoes style. You're going to help the
seattle cracking.
Speaker 4 (10:55):
Johnny, want to ask you about Shane Wright. He's had
a Freddie goodrow like since here. Maybe this year is
so far playing all across the board in the lineup
at center, at right wing, and there could be a
change of roles, you know, with that kind of shift.
He's still just twenty one years of ages. I think
that we got to remind some people. But where do
you think current expectation and future projection meet when it
(11:19):
comes to the kind of player that he'll grow into.
Speaker 1 (11:23):
Well, this is a that's a great question. You know,
I got a hand it to you. That's one of
your best quotes. You always ask good questions. That's one
of your best ever.
Speaker 4 (11:31):
Yeah, already, Johnny, don't don't worry about that.
Speaker 1 (11:34):
Don't worry about hey, listen, buddy, for those that care,
and many don't. Okay, So anyway, I'm talking about the
question that shame right. Shane Right needs Shane Wright needs
to be a point producer. He needs to be He's
going to have to be that player for this team
to move forward. Otherwise, you know you're getting in line
(11:57):
again with Burke, Catton and Jacobrien to be fair to
those players. You know, as fans, you know, don't expect
that to come in a hurry, because that's just forcing
an issue Shane Wright. You know, when you draft the
player as they did fourth overall, you expect that player
to be hopefully elite as the years go on. You
(12:19):
look at draft years, and some years there are a
ton of elite players, in other years not so much so.
When you look at the twenty two draft, I think
the jury's out on a lot of this. The player
who has really taken off among them, and he's injured
now is Logan Cooley. We didn't see him Friday night
in Utah. That was a really good draft pick by
(12:40):
the man at the time, you know, but you go Slipkowski,
Nemots Cooley and then you get to write I'm telling you,
you know, when they picked Shane Right, it was obvious,
I mean exceptional player status, a player that was supposed
to be first overall, all of a sudden he slips
to four. And if you don't take Shane Right as
(13:02):
Francis did. I think there's a lot more scrutiny attached
to the draft choice. When the krap And drafted Shane Right,
they were having a parade and all of us were
excited about this. Now he's had a tough journey, he's
had a journey that's a little bit different than other players.
But now at his age, yes he's twenty one, it'd
be twenty two in the beginning of January, but it's
(13:25):
his time. There are other players of his age right
now and younger who are thriving in the National Hockey League.
So to me, I think what needs to happen, and
I'd really like to see some of these line combinations reconfigure.
I almost think the crack and coaching staff, in my opinion,
need to give him an opportunity to get into a
scoring area five on five. So it's almost like they
(13:49):
might have to think about getting Cocko going by putting
him back with Vaniers. They might have to think about
dropping every off the Vanier's line and giving him to
Shane Right and seeing what could happen there on the
blank on the other side, but to create places and
within games where you can see and get more of
a read on Shane Wright in terms of his scoring
potential and also if he can handle a defensive matchup.
(14:12):
By keeping him down in the order, you're kind of
protecting the player, But I don't know that they're bringing
out the best and the player either. Okay, And I
really think a team that's been challenged to score, I
think it's a fair assessment. I think I'm being fair
with this suggestion. I think you would like to take
Shane right into another place. We were begging for it
(14:32):
last season. It never happened, you know, get him into
more of a situation where he can succeed. There's plenty
of veteran players that can insulate him on the line.
I don't know that he needs that much insulation offensively.
Maybe a little bit defensively, but I don't think he's
that egregious defensively whatsoever. But I'd like to see him
be involved in games where he's getting high event chances
(14:53):
more and more than he is. You know. So this
is going to be the key for him, and then
you're going to be able to get him into a
special team situation. With his release, his ability to shoot,
he can pop off the wall and score goals. You know,
he might be a power play option, you know, moving
forward with more confidence. So he, like the team is
in a little bit of a danger zone, kind of
(15:14):
a teetering point where he needs more confidence. They're going
to have to get to it, you know, because for
the crack n to be you know, really good, not
only this year, but moving forward with a group of
centers they have, Shane Wright's going to have to be
a primetime guy and Maddy Beniers will be a solid
two way checker in back of him. You know, things
work out the way they're supposed to, and then Caton's
on the way, and then O'Brien's on the way. Maybe
(15:37):
jcobrien's the best of the lot, but he'll be at
the World Junior Tournament. It's too early for that, right
but maybe he is. It seems like they have strength
down the middle organizationally the way they've drafted, But Shane
Wright right now is in the now. You know, he's
performing at this level and needs to perform better.
Speaker 4 (15:54):
The Sabers make their only visit of the season, and
they've got a messy backstage to what's going on right
now under the spotlight, but they've got top end talent
that can hurt you. They've won two in a row,
and they've scored eleven goals now in the last three games.
What's the first big key, Johnny, You've got in mind
here for tonight.
Speaker 1 (16:13):
Well, it's a team that's had a couple of days
to either have a rookie dinner or you know, get
ready and be ready to play. And it's a team
that be ready to play has been the situation that's
plagued them all year. It's hard to get a read
on a Buffalo team that has an abundance of first
round draft choices. It seems like a team that's gone
for you know, prime selections, especially at the defense. And
(16:37):
you know, it's a mixed bag. It's a team that's
rotated three goalies most of the season. It appears, based
on an injury in the last game that you know,
Alex Lyon might get the opportunity to play against the Kraken,
and if he does, it appears that the Sabers played
better in front of Alex Lyon. A couple of times
that I've seen him this year in person, that's been
(16:57):
the case. You know, they're a team that has a
very sneaky offensive talented side that can come up and
bite you, similar to Utah. They're a team that Josh
Don has had a remarkable season. He's a piece that
came over in the Perturca trade. He's been good for Buffalo.
(17:18):
Age Thompson is a world class talent with an unbelievable
world class release and shot. So he's a player to
watch in this situation. And I mean, I think organizationally
they're a mess. There's a lot of rumors attached to
the GM seat and whether Kevin Adams is either staying
or going that the next step is going to be
Lindy Russ, you know. So you're getting a team that's
(17:40):
you know, there's still a lot of runway in the season,
so they can still save themselves because Eastern Conference is
so jumbled up. But there's a lot going on around
this team. If you allow them to feel good at
any point in the game, they'll beat you. And I
believe that's what they did to Vancouver the other night.
You know, don't do it, you know, don't do it
a strong first period, get the foothold on the game
(18:02):
and dictate the terms of the game. Now, that's the thing.
If you want to compare the Crack and at the
beginning of the season till now, when's the last time
they really dictated the terms of a game. You know,
that's been slipping away. They've been reacting to the other
side like they did for so much of last season.
It's scary. They've got to get back to it. And
(18:23):
a team like Buffalo, that's perfect. It's the end of
a road trip. They've been on the West coast for
a long time. If the road really jump on them,
if they had a really nice rookie dinner, if that's
what they did, jump on them. You know, like this
is a situation the Crack and desperately need to take
advantage of.
Speaker 4 (18:39):
A couple of players had some show up games in
that win at Vancouver. Rasmus Dahline put them up one nothing,
multi point game, Tavee Thompson turning point goal that he
had for his fifteen before Zach Benson eventually put it away,
as far as a game winning goal on the power play.
Hey Johnny, very quick. The Quinn Hughes trade reminds me
a lot of the Tamus Saloni trade of the Docks
(18:59):
back in nineteen ninety six. Minnesota's got more talent, I
think in comparison to what Anaheim had back then. But
this was Bill garn saying, you know what, forget it,
there's a big fish out there. Let's do whatever it
takes out go three players and a first round draft
pick as a result, and it's looking like that it
will change Minnesota's world. So where do you put that
trade up with other blockbusters you've seen throughout the years.
Speaker 1 (19:23):
Yeah, you know, you got to go way back, and
I think Solani is a good analogy. Doug Gilmour coming
from Calgary to Toronto in the early nineties, Cliff Fletcher
deal that was huge, multiple players. I long for those days. Again.
You know, it's hard to make trades I get it,
but general managers in today's game have to figure out
(19:46):
a way to put their resume on the table and
not be afraid to pull a trigger. And you know
it's easy for someone like me to say that. But
I know Bill ga very well. I mean, he grew
up about five miles away from where I grew up.
I knew his father, Billy. He is younger than than
(20:07):
I am, but I know that. You know, he has
a brash way about him, and he's not afraid to
dip into the waters like this, and he surrendered a
boatload of talent and potential with what he did. But
the world class nature of this player. To acquire a
player now in your neighborhood which has Jail mccarr and
(20:31):
Josh Morrissey and mirohyskinin and you know you got all
these d in the same division. Now you finally put
Minnesota into a position where with their goaltending team structure
and Caprice and Boldie, you know you're in the conversation
now with the elite, and that is a game changer.
(20:52):
I encourage more general managers. I think they almost have
to do this. It's almost been like a bailout mic
over the years because the salary cap. It's almost been
like they convinced themselves they can't make deals. You know,
Rutherford and Patrick Alvin might get in our getting scrutiny
and criticism and have already, so it's not like this
(21:14):
is new to them. But they had to do something
with a player that had already basically told them he
wanted out, and they couldn't wait till the last year
of his contract. History shows that when you get to
the last year of deals. You're not dealing from a
position of strength anymore, you know, as Rutherford said on Friday,
this was the time that we had the most leverage
(21:35):
with Quinn Hughes. So they did what they did. And
for Billy Garon, he took a shot at it. He
owes his ownership group that it's a shake up. It's
a huge shakeup, and it's a huge change there. And
I think any team, any team that's in the ABYSS.
You know, hard to use that word in these parts,
but anyway in the ABYSS, you know your your general
(21:56):
manager needs at some point to step up and do
it because it's ends up a message to the room.
It supports your coaches, everybody gets a boost. And you know,
are the cracking going to do anything like this? I
don't know, should they? Maybe? I mean maybe some type
of situation needs to arise. Ron Francis last December made
(22:16):
the deal for Coco. You know, like it had to happen.
Did it pan out? Well? It did last year to
be fair, the kids had too many injuries this year
and he's had a hard time gaining traction. Hopefully he's
going to have a strong second half, but at least
the potential to add a young player with a high ceiling,
you know, was there and there was a trade that
kind of shook things up at the time. Seems like
(22:38):
crack and are in the same boat right now, and
you know, maybe maybe it's time for something to happen,
you know, with this roster. We'll see. But that so
that you know, Pittsburgh did the same thing on the
same day by sending Tristan Jari to Edmonton and kind
of shaking things up there. So you know, before the
trade freeze, before the holidays, let's get to happy holidays.
You know, maybe there's a chance to see some more
(23:00):
deals around the league. I think it's good for the
league in.
Speaker 4 (23:02):
General entertainment business, right, you know, that's.
Speaker 1 (23:05):
Right, right, And this is what gets people talking about
the sport. When you have the same bloody roster from
training camps and to the trading deadline, it's groundhog day, right.
So I think it's a good thing. I think trades
are fun. That's the way it needs to be. And
I'm not surprised that it was Bill Barren who was
able to do it because he's not afraid and you know,
(23:27):
the great gms in history around the NHL and in
any sport, I've been the ones who are not afraid
to make a mistake because you will. You will make
a mistake. And you know you just got to say, hey,
I tried. You know hindsight. Everybody can look back at
every transaction with hindsight, but you got to you got
to get to it, and the Wild did and now
you know the at the top of the league. And
(23:49):
Hughes will play today, he'll play Sunday against Boston and
you know, we'll see where it goes. But they they've
they've transformed the nature of their team by adding that player.
Speaker 4 (24:00):
To say, your insights for us are like a gift
in the stocking stuff for here, Johnny, appreciate you have
a good call.
Speaker 1 (24:07):
Okay, Mike, take care.
Speaker 4 (24:08):
You got a Johnny all killer, no filler. That's why
we appreciate you. Certainly. The time is always well spent
with you to have a great call, my friend. Ay,
the cracking taking on the Buffalo Sabers in the game
that you won't want to miss. Also across a pretty
busy sports day in the Seattle landscape, of course, the
Seattle Seahawks will be in action against Indianapolis for a
one pm kickoff, So hey, doubleheader might not be a
(24:30):
bad idea here if you're down for the NFL side
in the afternoon and the NHL side as well in
the evening. The Krack and facing the Sabers team first
of two matchups on the campaign and historically this MATCHUB
says it's a good time for the Kraken to get
back onto winning matters. They have won seven of eight
meetings overall against Buffalo, including three of four on home ice.
(24:52):
They will square off once again in Buffalo on March
twenty eighth. Chandler Stevenson right now leads the Cracking as
far as who's hot with points in four consecutive games,
and for the Savers we mentioned Tase Thompson and Rasmus Dahlin.
Without question there are the big ones to stop as well,
Thompson riding a three game goal scoring streak and Dahleen
(25:13):
on the back end with points in four consecutive games
and a total overall. Looking forward to having you join
us again this evening five pm put Drop four thirty
airtime all across the global Credit Union Craken Audio Network,
Postgamer going live across the street at Tom's watchbar. We
certainly hope that you can join us. Big thank you
(25:34):
again to John Forest lind And for cracking this morning.
I'm Mike Benton. Enjoy the game man, have a happy Sunday.
Speaker 3 (25:39):
You're home for the Kraken Sports Radio ninety three point
three kJ r FM
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (00:00):
I think everyone's been great of kind of showing me
the way and showing me what I need to bring
to this team. Obviously, I'm gonna bring a fierce attitude
every night. I'm gonna play physical, I'm gonna win puck battles,
and I'm going to be reliable defensively and try to
bring as much energy to this team as possible and
home games get the fans going as much as I can.
Speaker 3 (00:18):
Welcome to Kraken this morning, a presentation of the krak
and Audio network Ken Sports Radio ninety three point three
KJR FM. Here's Mike Benton. He's back after being called
up on Saturday. That was for Jacob Mallonson.
Speaker 4 (00:33):
Back in training camp in September and the Seattle Crack
and hoping he can bring more of those attributes as
they take on the Buffalo Sabers in the first of
two consecutive home games in the last two home games
before the holiday break as well. Mike Betton, with you
for cracking this morning. On a Sunday, December fourteenth, five pm.
Puck drop coming your way from Climate Pledgerina Ever it
(00:53):
fits you, Alconiski on the call, I'll join you as
usual back by the course light landing in section twenty. Postgame,
catch us live at Tom's watch Bar right across the street,
al Kiniski and myself with you all the way up
to an hour after the final horn ninety three to
three KJRFM and for game coverage all across the Global
(01:14):
Credit Union Kraken Audio Network. So if Malanson and jere
McCann off to injury reserve, that shouldn't be a surprise
after he was ruled knocked out for action for three
weeks after sustaining a lower body injury against the Kings
back on Wednesdays. So the Crack and adding a little
bit more jam here to the lineup, and we'll talk
about the state of matters right now on the Crack
(01:37):
and with TV play by play man John Foresland of
course on the Krack and Hockey Network will also discuss
Mason Marchment, the progress of Shane Wright, insights into the
first matchup with Buffalo, and the Quinn Hughes deal. It
was big and it rocked the hockey world. But where
does John measure it with other big trades? Other blockbuster
(01:59):
trades would have gone down in NHL history. Looking forward
to hearing from John Forestland. We can certainly bet a
lot of straight talk coming, as they'll join us here
in just a matter of moments. A little flashback as
well to Friday with the Kraken taking on the Utah
Mammoth and with the game scoreless in period two. It
was Mason march Mint who had a big game in mind.
Speaker 5 (02:22):
Turka kicked it ahead, but Freddy Gidrou intercepting. Now Mason
Marshman gets behind the defense Marschman a backhand stars Mason Marshmant,
turns on the sheets down the right side, turns the
corner on the defense, goes under the bar on Vmilka.
It's a one nothing Seattle Cracking lead, sixteen to twenty
(02:43):
five to go on the second Yeah, Mason Marshmurt getting
his step on the Mammoth defenseman.
Speaker 6 (02:48):
They're using his long reach to get around them, and
then makes a great move on Mamilka. Four hand, backhand
up under the bar blocker side one nothing cracking.
Speaker 5 (02:57):
Mason Marchmant on the right side, Montour line, far side
near wing circle.
Speaker 6 (03:02):
Mars Matt scoos.
Speaker 5 (03:08):
Mason Marshmittt's got two and the Seattle Kracking tie this
game at two twelve ten to go on the third well, a.
Speaker 6 (03:17):
Very similar shot to a power play one timer Mason
Marshman's at the top of the circles. That put goes
over to Linger on the far side about three feet
inside the blue line. He feeds into Marchmen March Mint
with that one timer, beating Vamilka Low on that blocker's side.
This game's tied to two.
Speaker 5 (03:34):
Gunther two pa Turk up right sign a Lexiak one
hands it up top held in by surrogate chev Smalltz
near side Gunther.
Speaker 3 (03:43):
He scores.
Speaker 4 (03:48):
Telling so despite mass first two goal out eight of
his cracking career, special teams again making a big difference
and the Cracking unfortunately coming up short as a result,
going zero for four on the power play and for
five on three time in a span of one minute
and forty two seconds, Utah going one of two on
the man advantage and their lone power play goal serving
(04:11):
the eventual game winner. Final score Utah five, Cracking three
and the home team so far has won all four
matchups in the Lifetime series. It's back home now for
the Kraken, taking on Buffalo and looking to get back
on the winning path. Right now five points back of
the cut line in the Western Conference with a record
(04:32):
of twelve eleven and six and facing Buffalo right now
in the basement at thirteen fourteen and four in the
Eastern Conference. All right, back home for two more and
that's it as far as the holiday break, And that's
getting closer here than what we certainly think it is.
But for now, happy holidays in Merry Christmas. Here to
John Forest lind our friend TV play by play voice
(04:54):
of course on the TV side for Crack and Hockey Network,
also Amazon Prime, TNT. Johnny again for doing this here.
And I want to put this to bed because did
you scare a couple of folks online saying that the
Utah broadcast was your last game? And this was basically
nothing but a joke with Edzel on the air.
Speaker 1 (05:11):
Yeah, he was just giving me the business. So it's
great to be with you, Michael. Yeah. Uh. And so
I just said I've had enough and I announced my
retirement prematurely.
Speaker 4 (05:22):
Well me, Hey, it's do you remember the whole comment
by Devin Coolly about two years ago that we're all
gonna die, but we're.
Speaker 1 (05:27):
Just trying to still lives. He still goes by that
lives by whatever you want to say. Yeah, it's very true.
I mean, that's that's appropriate.
Speaker 4 (05:35):
Live in the moment here, That's that's why we enjoy
this business. Hey, Johnny, I mean this team has been
fluctuating on special teams are still though, hanging in the mix.
They've been banged up with injuries, but they're still hanging
in the mix. So what's surprising was not surprising to
you where matters are approaching game thirty and the crack
in the game above five hundred.
Speaker 1 (05:57):
Just that they have to somehow stay connected it as
a group. It's hard to do. You know, injuries are
all over the National Hockey League. Okay, yesterday is watching
you know, in New Jersey play yesterday afternoon, and you
know there's eight players off their roster that are injured
right now, and a few of those are very significant players. Okay,
(06:19):
So this is not something that is just hitting the crack,
and it's hitting every team because of the scheduling and
the compressed nature of the schedule and go on. That
could be a theory that could be attached to who knows,
just could be bad luck. Whatever the case is, you've
got to kind of weather the storm. Here before the
holiday break. It's the danger zone right now for the Kraken.
(06:40):
You know, the game in Utah is a perfect example
of playing well for the lion's share of the game
and getting out of there with zero And unfortunately, those
are the games that are going to end up biting
you at the end of the season because the moral
victories are long gone. You got to bank points. You
got to continue to be in the neighborhoo of one
(07:00):
point per game and hopefully get you two and do that.
And what's that going to take. And that's going to
take a team that can't come a part of the teams,
a team that cannot concentrate on whatever situations right now
are problematic. Yes, the special teams are an iore. Those
are coachable situations. Those are situations that have to be fixed.
(07:22):
Those are sometimes unexplainable. The players though, unfortunately, have to
mentally get through a period where there's a lot of
focus on that. And how do you focus on special
teams at the expense of your even strength, your five
on five game, your overall team games. To me, that's
your strength and I've told you this over and over again,
that's the strength of the Seattle Krakens the team game,
(07:44):
and they have to focus on that. That's going to
help the goalies. That's going to help them Eventually, it's
going to make you a better penalty killing team. I
can't speak to the power play because again, their talent
has to be taken into consideration about one hundred percent
sure they have the same fire up power as other
teams when it comes to the power play. Don't worry
about it, continue to practice, to continue to work on it.
(08:06):
Don't worry about the power play. Fix your penalty killing.
Penally killing is systematic, it's hard work, and it's goaltending.
I mean, those are the three items that have to
be in place. Every team can get better at it.
You know, a few seasons ago to Crack and we're
floundering with their penalty killing, and thanks to Dave Lowry,
they made some adjustments and all of a sudden they
started the climb Climb, climb, and they were the upper
(08:27):
third of the league by the end of the season.
So to me, that's fixable. A power play is something
that fans and us look at all the time because
it's so obvious. That's not an easy fix. But your kill,
to me, is an easier thing to address and get through,
and that it's going to help them get through this period.
Speaker 4 (08:47):
Control your controllables basically. In other words, yere I go
back again and stay with the Utah game. Johnny, what'd
you take away watching Mason marchmant on Friday night?
Speaker 1 (08:58):
Well, I mean you're going to be have a game
like that and you can put a string of games
together like that and play on a consistent basis where
you're getting shots directed at the net. I believe he
had twelve attempts. I think he had done at the
top of their list that way done at fourteen attempts
and less in Friday night's game. You know, these are
(09:19):
situations for Marchmen that have not been evident. You know,
he has not come as advertised, He has not gone
to the net enough. The krap and need a player
like that. That's why Jason Botro went out and got
this guy. I mean it was to address a need
going to the net. Papocaco's another player that you know,
whether it's injuries, whatever the situation is. He's had some
(09:41):
bum luck, there's no question about it. But he needs
to be stronger on the boards and in my opinion,
he needs to go to the net in my opinion,
on a more regular basis. So these are players that
have the frame and the skill set and hopefully the
mindset to play that way, and if they don't, it
just just raises another issue with the Krakens team game,
which is they're two SOPs in terms of getting to
(10:03):
the interior of the ice. So Marchman can be a
leader that way. There are rumors attached to this player
now as far as a trading piece and so on.
That's obvious because he's in a contract year. But if
he wants to get paid in Seattle, or if he
wants to move to another team, that's up to him.
He's going to become more marketable than he's been. And
I hope, I hope whatever happened in Utah. And it's
(10:25):
ironic that you know the one player who and I
knew Brian Marchman very well. He was a friend of mine.
You know, his dad wasn't there without all the other dads.
And look who had the best game for the cracking, right,
So somebody was watching upstairs, Mush Senior was watching upstairs
at that and probably saying, Mace, you can do this.
Just get back to your skill set as a hockey player.
(10:48):
Don't worry about other things that are surrounding you. Play
a meat and potatoes style. You're going to help the
seattle cracking.
Speaker 4 (10:55):
Johnny, want to ask you about Shane Wright. He's had
a Freddie goodrow like since here. Maybe this year is
so far playing all across the board in the lineup
at center, at right wing, and there could be a
change of roles, you know, with that kind of shift.
He's still just twenty one years of ages. I think
that we got to remind some people. But where do
you think current expectation and future projection meet when it
(11:19):
comes to the kind of player that he'll grow into.
Speaker 1 (11:23):
Well, this is a that's a great question. You know,
I got a hand it to you. That's one of
your best quotes. You always ask good questions. That's one
of your best ever.
Speaker 4 (11:31):
Yeah, already, Johnny, don't don't worry about that.
Speaker 1 (11:34):
Don't worry about hey, listen, buddy, for those that care,
and many don't. Okay, So anyway, I'm talking about the
question that shame right. Shane Right needs Shane Wright needs
to be a point producer. He needs to be He's
going to have to be that player for this team
to move forward. Otherwise, you know you're getting in line
(11:57):
again with Burke, Catton and Jacobrien to be fair to
those players. You know, as fans, you know, don't expect
that to come in a hurry, because that's just forcing
an issue Shane Wright. You know, when you draft the
player as they did fourth overall, you expect that player
to be hopefully elite as the years go on. You
(12:19):
look at draft years, and some years there are a
ton of elite players, in other years not so much so.
When you look at the twenty two draft, I think
the jury's out on a lot of this. The player
who has really taken off among them, and he's injured
now is Logan Cooley. We didn't see him Friday night
in Utah. That was a really good draft pick by
(12:40):
the man at the time, you know, but you go Slipkowski,
Nemots Cooley and then you get to write I'm telling you,
you know, when they picked Shane Right, it was obvious,
I mean exceptional player status, a player that was supposed
to be first overall, all of a sudden he slips
to four. And if you don't take Shane Right as
(13:02):
Francis did. I think there's a lot more scrutiny attached
to the draft choice. When the krap And drafted Shane Right,
they were having a parade and all of us were
excited about this. Now he's had a tough journey, he's
had a journey that's a little bit different than other players.
But now at his age, yes he's twenty one, it'd
be twenty two in the beginning of January, but it's
(13:25):
his time. There are other players of his age right
now and younger who are thriving in the National Hockey League.
So to me, I think what needs to happen, and
I'd really like to see some of these line combinations reconfigure.
I almost think the crack and coaching staff, in my opinion,
need to give him an opportunity to get into a
scoring area five on five. So it's almost like they
(13:49):
might have to think about getting Cocko going by putting
him back with Vaniers. They might have to think about
dropping every off the Vanier's line and giving him to
Shane Right and seeing what could happen there on the
blank on the other side, but to create places and
within games where you can see and get more of
a read on Shane Wright in terms of his scoring
potential and also if he can handle a defensive matchup.
(14:12):
By keeping him down in the order, you're kind of
protecting the player, But I don't know that they're bringing
out the best and the player either. Okay, And I
really think a team that's been challenged to score, I
think it's a fair assessment. I think I'm being fair
with this suggestion. I think you would like to take
Shane right into another place. We were begging for it
(14:32):
last season. It never happened, you know, get him into
more of a situation where he can succeed. There's plenty
of veteran players that can insulate him on the line.
I don't know that he needs that much insulation offensively.
Maybe a little bit defensively, but I don't think he's
that egregious defensively whatsoever. But I'd like to see him
be involved in games where he's getting high event chances
(14:53):
more and more than he is. You know. So this
is going to be the key for him, and then
you're going to be able to get him into a
special team situation. With his release, his ability to shoot,
he can pop off the wall and score goals. You know,
he might be a power play option, you know, moving
forward with more confidence. So he, like the team is
in a little bit of a danger zone, kind of
(15:14):
a teetering point where he needs more confidence. They're going
to have to get to it, you know, because for
the crack n to be you know, really good, not
only this year, but moving forward with a group of
centers they have, Shane Wright's going to have to be
a primetime guy and Maddy Beniers will be a solid
two way checker in back of him. You know, things
work out the way they're supposed to, and then Caton's
on the way, and then O'Brien's on the way. Maybe
(15:37):
jcobrien's the best of the lot, but he'll be at
the World Junior Tournament. It's too early for that, right
but maybe he is. It seems like they have strength
down the middle organizationally the way they've drafted, But Shane
Wright right now is in the now. You know, he's
performing at this level and needs to perform better.
Speaker 4 (15:54):
The Sabers make their only visit of the season, and
they've got a messy backstage to what's going on right
now under the spotlight, but they've got top end talent
that can hurt you. They've won two in a row,
and they've scored eleven goals now in the last three games.
What's the first big key, Johnny, You've got in mind
here for tonight.
Speaker 1 (16:13):
Well, it's a team that's had a couple of days
to either have a rookie dinner or you know, get
ready and be ready to play. And it's a team
that be ready to play has been the situation that's
plagued them all year. It's hard to get a read
on a Buffalo team that has an abundance of first
round draft choices. It seems like a team that's gone
for you know, prime selections, especially at the defense. And
(16:37):
you know, it's a mixed bag. It's a team that's
rotated three goalies most of the season. It appears, based
on an injury in the last game that you know,
Alex Lyon might get the opportunity to play against the Kraken,
and if he does, it appears that the Sabers played
better in front of Alex Lyon. A couple of times
that I've seen him this year in person, that's been
(16:57):
the case. You know, they're a team that has a
very sneaky offensive talented side that can come up and
bite you, similar to Utah. They're a team that Josh
Don has had a remarkable season. He's a piece that
came over in the Perturca trade. He's been good for Buffalo.
(17:18):
Age Thompson is a world class talent with an unbelievable
world class release and shot. So he's a player to
watch in this situation. And I mean, I think organizationally
they're a mess. There's a lot of rumors attached to
the GM seat and whether Kevin Adams is either staying
or going that the next step is going to be
Lindy Russ, you know. So you're getting a team that's
(17:40):
you know, there's still a lot of runway in the season,
so they can still save themselves because Eastern Conference is
so jumbled up. But there's a lot going on around
this team. If you allow them to feel good at
any point in the game, they'll beat you. And I
believe that's what they did to Vancouver the other night.
You know, don't do it, you know, don't do it
a strong first period, get the foothold on the game
(18:02):
and dictate the terms of the game. Now, that's the thing.
If you want to compare the Crack and at the
beginning of the season till now, when's the last time
they really dictated the terms of a game. You know,
that's been slipping away. They've been reacting to the other
side like they did for so much of last season.
It's scary. They've got to get back to it. And
(18:23):
a team like Buffalo, that's perfect. It's the end of
a road trip. They've been on the West coast for
a long time. If the road really jump on them,
if they had a really nice rookie dinner, if that's
what they did, jump on them. You know, like this
is a situation the Crack and desperately need to take
advantage of.
Speaker 4 (18:39):
A couple of players had some show up games in
that win at Vancouver. Rasmus Dahline put them up one nothing,
multi point game, Tavee Thompson turning point goal that he
had for his fifteen before Zach Benson eventually put it away,
as far as a game winning goal on the power play.
Hey Johnny, very quick. The Quinn Hughes trade reminds me
a lot of the Tamus Saloni trade of the Docks
(18:59):
back in nineteen ninety six. Minnesota's got more talent, I
think in comparison to what Anaheim had back then. But
this was Bill garn saying, you know what, forget it,
there's a big fish out there. Let's do whatever it
takes out go three players and a first round draft
pick as a result, and it's looking like that it
will change Minnesota's world. So where do you put that
trade up with other blockbusters you've seen throughout the years.
Speaker 1 (19:23):
Yeah, you know, you got to go way back, and
I think Solani is a good analogy. Doug Gilmour coming
from Calgary to Toronto in the early nineties, Cliff Fletcher
deal that was huge, multiple players. I long for those days. Again.
You know, it's hard to make trades I get it,
but general managers in today's game have to figure out
(19:46):
a way to put their resume on the table and
not be afraid to pull a trigger. And you know
it's easy for someone like me to say that. But
I know Bill ga very well. I mean, he grew
up about five miles away from where I grew up.
I knew his father, Billy. He is younger than than
(20:07):
I am, but I know that. You know, he has
a brash way about him, and he's not afraid to
dip into the waters like this, and he surrendered a
boatload of talent and potential with what he did. But
the world class nature of this player. To acquire a
player now in your neighborhood which has Jail mccarr and
(20:31):
Josh Morrissey and mirohyskinin and you know you got all
these d in the same division. Now you finally put
Minnesota into a position where with their goaltending team structure
and Caprice and Boldie, you know you're in the conversation
now with the elite, and that is a game changer.
(20:52):
I encourage more general managers. I think they almost have
to do this. It's almost been like a bailout mic
over the years because the salary cap. It's almost been
like they convinced themselves they can't make deals. You know,
Rutherford and Patrick Alvin might get in our getting scrutiny
and criticism and have already, so it's not like this
(21:14):
is new to them. But they had to do something
with a player that had already basically told them he
wanted out, and they couldn't wait till the last year
of his contract. History shows that when you get to
the last year of deals. You're not dealing from a
position of strength anymore, you know, as Rutherford said on Friday,
this was the time that we had the most leverage
(21:35):
with Quinn Hughes. So they did what they did. And
for Billy Garon, he took a shot at it. He
owes his ownership group that it's a shake up. It's
a huge shakeup, and it's a huge change there. And
I think any team, any team that's in the ABYSS.
You know, hard to use that word in these parts,
but anyway in the ABYSS, you know your your general
(21:56):
manager needs at some point to step up and do
it because it's ends up a message to the room.
It supports your coaches, everybody gets a boost. And you know,
are the cracking going to do anything like this? I
don't know, should they? Maybe? I mean maybe some type
of situation needs to arise. Ron Francis last December made
(22:16):
the deal for Coco. You know, like it had to happen.
Did it pan out? Well? It did last year to
be fair, the kids had too many injuries this year
and he's had a hard time gaining traction. Hopefully he's
going to have a strong second half, but at least
the potential to add a young player with a high ceiling,
you know, was there and there was a trade that
kind of shook things up at the time. Seems like
(22:38):
crack and are in the same boat right now, and
you know, maybe maybe it's time for something to happen,
you know, with this roster. We'll see. But that so
that you know, Pittsburgh did the same thing on the
same day by sending Tristan Jari to Edmonton and kind
of shaking things up there. So you know, before the
trade freeze, before the holidays, let's get to happy holidays.
You know, maybe there's a chance to see some more
(23:00):
deals around the league. I think it's good for the
league in.
Speaker 4 (23:02):
General entertainment business, right, you know, that's.
Speaker 1 (23:05):
Right, right, And this is what gets people talking about
the sport. When you have the same bloody roster from
training camps and to the trading deadline, it's groundhog day, right.
So I think it's a good thing. I think trades
are fun. That's the way it needs to be. And
I'm not surprised that it was Bill Barren who was
able to do it because he's not afraid and you know,
(23:27):
the great gms in history around the NHL and in
any sport, I've been the ones who are not afraid
to make a mistake because you will. You will make
a mistake. And you know you just got to say, hey,
I tried. You know hindsight. Everybody can look back at
every transaction with hindsight, but you got to you got
to get to it, and the Wild did and now
you know the at the top of the league. And
(23:49):
Hughes will play today, he'll play Sunday against Boston and
you know, we'll see where it goes. But they they've
they've transformed the nature of their team by adding that player.
Speaker 4 (24:00):
To say, your insights for us are like a gift
in the stocking stuff for here, Johnny, appreciate you have
a good call.
Speaker 1 (24:07):
Okay, Mike, take care.
Speaker 4 (24:08):
You got a Johnny all killer, no filler. That's why
we appreciate you. Certainly. The time is always well spent
with you to have a great call, my friend. Ay,
the cracking taking on the Buffalo Sabers in the game
that you won't want to miss. Also across a pretty
busy sports day in the Seattle landscape, of course, the
Seattle Seahawks will be in action against Indianapolis for a
one pm kickoff, So hey, doubleheader might not be a
(24:30):
bad idea here if you're down for the NFL side
in the afternoon and the NHL side as well in
the evening. The Krack and facing the Sabers team first
of two matchups on the campaign and historically this MATCHUB
says it's a good time for the Kraken to get
back onto winning matters. They have won seven of eight
meetings overall against Buffalo, including three of four on home ice.
(24:52):
They will square off once again in Buffalo on March
twenty eighth. Chandler Stevenson right now leads the Cracking as
far as who's hot with points in four consecutive games,
and for the Savers we mentioned Tase Thompson and Rasmus Dahlin.
Without question there are the big ones to stop as well,
Thompson riding a three game goal scoring streak and Dahleen
(25:13):
on the back end with points in four consecutive games
and a total overall. Looking forward to having you join
us again this evening five pm put Drop four thirty
airtime all across the global Credit Union Craken Audio Network,
Postgamer going live across the street at Tom's watchbar. We
certainly hope that you can join us. Big thank you
(25:34):
again to John Forest lind And for cracking this morning.
I'm Mike Benton. Enjoy the game man, have a happy Sunday.
Speaker 3 (25:39):
You're home for the Kraken Sports Radio ninety three point
three kJ r FM
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