The April 9 episode of Kraken Weekly, hosted by Mike Benton and joined by Ian Furness. Guests include Kraken defenseman Adam Larsson and skills consultant Matt Larke.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
The Cracking back home against Saint Louis Saturday. They host
the Kings next Tuesday, and then that's a wrap before
the summer of hot stove action. So a lot to
cover here this heating. We'll hear from defenseman Adam Larson
what's his outlook for the team moving forward, Plus a
look inside the Kraken with skills consultant Matt Lark but
(00:20):
looking forward to sharing this conversation with you. You'll talk
more on the fundamentals that NHLer is built on and
how his helping hand makes each player better inside the
Kraken dressing room. That plus our mail bag. As Ian Forness,
the mayor of Maple Valley, joining us in just a bit.
For this show. You can find us by the Way
podcast and on demand on the iHeartRadio app. Find the
(00:43):
Crack and Audio Network to get this show a course
on demand. You can also find KJR at X at
ninety three to three KJR and the Crack and Audio
Network at Kraken Audio Net. I'm at X at Benton Underscore.
Mike Ian by the way, as we said, joining us
in a moment. You can find him at E and
D Furness Pull question open right now find that ad
(01:04):
X at Crack and audio Net. With a season finale
now six days away, that'll mean fan appreciation is coming
up and also a team awards ceremony. So who's your
pick for fan favorite? Is it going to be Brandon Montour,
Is it going to be Jared McCann, Is it going
to be Joey Decord or someone else? You get a
fill and vote as well. Find that right now at
(01:26):
X at Krack and audio Net. So one game left
here on the road side of the schedule and the
Crack and right now have three games and behind them
to begin this road trip, which showed a lot of
growth and potential as a Crack in blitz Vancouver and
San Jose offensively, and then one in Los Angeles Monday,
and they won in a defensive fistfight. First off, a
(01:48):
five to nothing win at Vancouver, five to one win
at San Jose, then a two to one win at
Los Angeles where the Kraken add thirty blocked shots. You
heard that correctly, thirty locked shots as they turned in
the fifth game this season to and the Kings of
loss in regulation on home mice. Well Tuesday after that,
(02:10):
a tough one to digest seven to one. Lost last
evening in Utah, but the Krack and have a chance
for four wins out of five here on this final
road trip of the season and going through Vancouver, San Jose,
Los Angeles and Utah. Here's a sample of what you
may have heard. The offensive for Connor Garland.
Speaker 2 (02:27):
Garland on his back hand of that door, same bye,
Joey to Cord, my goodness.
Speaker 1 (02:35):
Drew O'Connor all along.
Speaker 3 (02:37):
On the right side to.
Speaker 2 (02:38):
Chord from his right to hits left, gets the glove
to knock it down and the Seattle rocket per day Store.
Speaker 1 (02:46):
Shane right storre.
Speaker 2 (02:49):
Shane right from the left circle the exact same place
the Chanler Stevenson goal was.
Speaker 1 (02:56):
Top right corner of the goal. Hits a third nothing Seattle.
Speaker 4 (03:01):
Lead by Shane Wright, being a right handed shot, comes
down the left side, gets a fantastic drop pass from
Jared McCann and puts it right in that top corner
above the glove. On Demko's side, it's three nothing.
Speaker 2 (03:13):
Cracked McCann up the left side, McCann on the slot.
Speaker 1 (03:16):
Perekowski sto.
Speaker 2 (03:20):
It's a two point night for Andreke Berekowski and the
Seattle Krackt had one more.
Speaker 1 (03:26):
They lead by four four nothing eleven.
Speaker 4 (03:28):
Oh five to play absolutely in another great feed by
Jared McCann. He waits waits, waits down the slot, sells
the shot to Demko, so Demko has to respect that
and come up to attacking it in the last second,
slides it over to his right and berkoffskis on his
off wing. It's easy shot in the back of the net.
Four nothing kracking and McCann has.
Speaker 2 (03:48):
At wits it out the center down the right side
comes Virekowski.
Speaker 1 (03:52):
He's got McCann down the slot.
Speaker 2 (03:54):
Stood yes, he McCann Jared McCann thirteen fourteen.
Speaker 1 (04:01):
To click hand near side goal line on the corner.
Speaker 2 (04:04):
Brakoski scors Adam Larson from the corner. Andre Barrakowski got
the puck in the low slot while falling able to
beg it in by you are you have?
Speaker 1 (04:17):
Emily skates it right back out to us last Stephenson
bent to Beverly right wing into the zone.
Speaker 5 (04:21):
Goos cross eyes.
Speaker 1 (04:22):
Montor shooting stars Brandon Montour off the bar and then
thirty point six to go in period one and the Kraken.
They have taken their first lead of the game in
Los Angeles at two and a one.
Speaker 4 (04:36):
Well again, it's a straight up three on two rush
up the ice. Stevenson moves out puck up to Eperly
down the right side. Eperley waits to find that scene.
Montor's jumped into the rush. He's on his off wing
and Evererley finds him over on that far side. He
beats Kemper glove side under the bar to one crack.
At that point spence up by Anderson.
Speaker 1 (04:55):
One timer and a glove say by Joey Decord. He
hangs on with six fifty left in period three to
still keep it a two to one.
Speaker 5 (05:04):
Cracking.
Speaker 1 (05:04):
A cannon front scores.
Speaker 2 (05:07):
Andre Barkowski finds McCann in front. It's a power play
goal for Seattle just twenty three seconds in and the
crackner on the board.
Speaker 1 (05:17):
It's a seven to one Utah.
Speaker 4 (05:20):
Lead, much the way the Utah Utah Hockey Club has
scored a couple of times tonight. That backdoor pass, it's
Breukowski on the half wall on the power play finds
McKinnon streaking in times to pass perfectly, puts it on
his forehead.
Speaker 1 (05:33):
It's an easy tap in This game's now seven zent
up the wall redirected end of the New York corner.
Speaker 4 (05:38):
Here's Adam Larcit now for Krause put back toward the
goaltone left side.
Speaker 1 (05:44):
Victor Offfman makes his first save in the NHL. All right,
the cracking finishing back to back games, unfortunately with that loss,
and we'll talk about this more with the in here
in a bit, but still attacking, more offense on the board.
And a reminder for you all sees long, Hearts plumbers,
electricians and each technicians will donate fifty dollars to Children's
Hospital for every Kraken goal scored. So far, Hearts is
(06:06):
pledged eleven eight hundred dollars two Children's Hospital with two
hundred and thirty six goals on the season. So let's
keep it up, Cracking fans and follow along all season
long see how much we can raise for Children's Hospital
thanks to Hearts. Well the crack can try to get
through the illness bug right now, Ryker Evans missing the
game in Los Angeles and then last night Philip Grubauer
(06:28):
out of commission at Utah. Plenty of shuffling going on
in the process. Ford Yannie Newman, Gray Stard He's had
six points in his first twelve NHL games. He was
sent back to AHL Coachello Valley Monday. Ryan Winterton called
up one day after that. Goaltender Victor Osman as well,
called up on an emergency basis and pressed right into
(06:51):
action after Joey Decord unfortunately gave up seven goals on
twenty nine shots in Utah for the first two periods,
Osman making the most of it. His debut twelve saves flawless,
and he looked great in nets. So we'll see if
health is better with this team tomorrow in Vegas. As Osman,
by the way, sent back to AHL Coachella Valley earlier today.
(07:13):
All Right, the mayor of Maple Valley joining us right now.
That's Ian forness. Ian. We're gonna get to nitty gritty
stuff in a moment, but I want to step aside
and pause. Three and one so far on this trip,
and based on the body of work in Vancouver, San
Jose and Los Angeles, how much does that affect where
(07:33):
this team is grasping a long term blueprint Given the
fact that you have to weigh in the seven to
one loss last night in Utah. All right, Ian Finess,
joins us now Ian. We're gonna get to nitty gritty
stuff in a moment, but I want to step aside
and pause. Three and one so far on this trip
(07:54):
and based on the body of work in Vancouver, San
Jose and Los Angeles, how much does that effect where
this team is grasping a long term blueprint Given the
fact that you have to weigh in the seven to
one loss last night in Utah.
Speaker 3 (08:12):
Well, the seven to one loss shot down up to
a couple of things. One, we know how dismal they've
been in terms of the second half of back to back.
Now oh and fourteen over the last two seasons. Is
the streak oh and twelve this year in the second
half of back to back. But keep in mind they're
not healthy. And I'm not talking about you know, these arms, laganments,
(08:36):
what have you there, They're sick. I mean, there's a
there's a bug going through you know. Drew Bauer didn't
make didn't dress last night. Jessica Campbell, for example, didn't
finish the game on the fence because she fell ill.
I mean, you can see it on the faces of guys.
They looked like they were gray like basically just awful
all the way around. And so you know, I think
he chalked that up to that yesterday, you know, And
(08:59):
it depends on who you asked what these games mean.
You know, Jordan Everley, he's a captain. We should listen
to him, for sure. He'll tell you that it's establishing
a culture for next year. All that stuff. I've never
seen it in any sport, I mean, any sport, hockey
or any other sport where what you did at the
end of a season by finishing strong carried over to
the next year. So I wouldn't put it into that
(09:21):
outside of if you want to build a culture or
whatever that culture would be, then so be it. That's
hard to define.
Speaker 1 (09:27):
I mean, you know, I know when you try to
go to work at half energy, when a bug gets through,
it is awfully, awfully tough to get through. And I
think about what happened last year when the Kraken. Similarly,
we're on a trip to Vegas through New York as well.
I mean, it takes a lot to wipe out a
guy like Adam Larson who couldn't make it through the
first period in a game like that last year. But
that's what happens when you have something like that flowing
(09:50):
through a team. So the back to back numbers, Ian,
you mentioned they aren't easy here to look at, and
you mentioned ohen twelve this season. Gold differential in that
respect for those games this year is minus thirty three.
That's the number in the second game of back to backs.
And this is where I really get into the what
if game. What if you don't even find a way
(10:13):
to win a ton of those games. What if you
just win half of those, that's twelve points you're adding
on to your total. So I think to you, Ian,
what stood out the most in these types of games,
secondhanded back to back?
Speaker 3 (10:27):
How badly they've been outplayed game the numbers they could
they've been no shows in those games, and they'll just
plug you take yesterday out, say let's look at the
previous eleven this year, or the previous thirteen going back
to the last two last year. They just were no shows.
They were non existent. And in that regard that that's
(10:50):
just that's a problem because this is the league peop
will play back to back in and you have to
be better. Though you're right, they left points on the table.
I mean, every team at the end of the year
is going to look around and say, we left points
on the table, right, like we left points on the
table here, we left points on the table there. Whoever
you left points on the table. Every team is going
to look at that during the course of the season
and say that we did that. And but then you
(11:12):
have to look at you know, like, how can you
correct it? And in the case of the Kraken, they must.
I I can't fathom. And now I don't have the
numbers of front of the mic, and maybe the numbers
won't bear this out. If they don't, then and I'm
the idiot, okay, But how many of those games were
games in which Philip Rubauer went the second game and
(11:35):
it was when he was really struggled. He's played well lately,
no doubt about it, like he both played well lately,
But how many of those second half of those back
to backs where he just couldn't stop the buck and
you know a couple of those times Joey had to
go in, So you know, what were the reasons? What
were the issues? There's there are many, but that's a
coaching staff thing, and they employ enough people and the
(11:56):
analytics department and the sports performers departments and they've got
to figure that out because borderline non competitive in too
many of those games.
Speaker 1 (12:03):
I mean the Utah game last night, because since this
one really getting away when Utah made a two nothing
and the penalty issue began rearing its ugly head once again,
Joey to Cord was in there for the second straight
night because Grubauer was ill. But where are you at
right now with his workload because he has grabbed a
ton of games over the most recent weeks.
Speaker 3 (12:25):
Yeah, I mean I was just, guys, just what I'll
go back and chock it up. I mean, he wasn't
supposed to play last night. He probably think he was
gonna play until, you know, whenever they found out that
Grubauer was not able to go so and I thought
he was tired because I was, you know, a texting
somebody else, you know on none of the member of
broadcast teams, uh, saying it is Joey's skin because he
looked slow and lethargic, and I was. The reply was, no,
(12:47):
he's just exhausted. You know, you probably could have made
the case to take him out earlier. What does the
game matter? It doesn't at this point. You're you're playing
for lottery bald and lottery tickets at this point. So
you know, look at then, how about a stick staff
to Victor Oswein.
Speaker 1 (13:02):
Oh goodness, yeah yeah.
Speaker 3 (13:04):
Most of most of the season and the playing in
the coast and he's playing in the jungle all year
and now he's playing and is making his NHL debut
and thirteen stays on thirteen shots. Good for him, man,
I thought that was at the cool storyline last night.
You know, who knows what the future holds for him
and how many more games he's got at the show,
hopefully a lot for his sake. And but you know,
(13:25):
we mentioned this on the on the Crack and Hockey
Network last night. You know, because our colleague Brett fest
Wing was a journeyman around the league and bounced up
and down and then ended up finishing in Europe. But
he played in the NHL. It's like, you know less
than you know, one half of one half of one
percent or whatever it is. The kids that laced him
up playing the National Hockey League and Victor Rosman got
to play in the NHL last night. A strange year.
(13:47):
You know, a team that had gone through what four
goalies total in the first three seasons with three guard
Jones to Cord and Gruenauer, and they played five goaltenders
this year, so just one of those years, one of
those nights last night. But I thought it was awesome
to seek Rosman do it the game last night. I
just don't think it's worth even dwelling on except for
one issue outside of the illness. And Vince then came
(14:07):
on and Piper asked him last night about you know,
the illness, and he said, you know. She says, how
would you chalk it up to any of that? And
he said zero, zero excuse, which I like. I like
that attitude. I like what he said there. But that's
the reality, if you want to look at it from
a hockey standpoint, you can't be shorthanded all night. And
they were shorthanded a good chunk of the night. And
I didn't mind the Riker penalty. I thought, you know,
(14:29):
when Evans, that's an aggressive hockey play. Yeah, high stick
on the shortest player in the league, which seems to
be an impossibility. That's a hard one to stomach. That's
four minutes a couple holds, clutches and grabs, probably fatigued
kicking in and you're just shorthanded, you can't get things done.
And that's a good that's a good skilled team to
put on the power play, and that's kind of what
hurt them.
Speaker 1 (14:49):
Cracking we're shuffling the deck Monday night in Los Angeles,
but yet one of defensive fist fighting and where they
laid down thirty blocked shots in that game. And more
so to me, how impressive they were in navigating center
ice in a tight third period and you felt the
crowd really getting into it, but they didn't take any shortcuts.
(15:11):
They made the simple smart play and Joey was great
in that game. So to you, how did you maybe
look at the Los Angeles win for a kind of
win this team can bank on for the future.
Speaker 3 (15:22):
I'm going to give you a word you're probably not expecting,
but I would say excruciating. And what I mean by
that is it's a better hockey team than the record
is shown this year. And that's the off season, and
that's that's the challenge of the off season, which you've
got to figure out why, why why is the team
that capable of going in beating the Los Angeles Kings,
(15:43):
which I think at the time the second best record
home record of the league working on twenty nine wins,
just four lots on the year. You were able to
go in there and beat those guys. And yeah, they
scored all three goals in the first period to two
to one, F one, two to one, F two to
one final. But why, why, why where's the team been
(16:03):
on here? I think we all thought this game is
better personnel Wiseman had shown this season. That was a
good example of it. It's frustrating and excruciating to see
like this, the fact that they were out of the
playoff rates so early, it's just odd. I don't understand.
It's the power play, you know. And Jill said on
the TV broadcast last night, and he was pretty blunt,
(16:26):
and I think I think i'd agree. He's like, hey,
you know, the power play has been an issue all
season long, and if you want to look at all
the issues and all the problems they've had, far too
often the power play failed this team. And I mean
he went, he had a pretty good rant in the
middle of the game about that last night. I thought
he was one hundred percent rate. Uh, you know. And
then I think because of the lack of scoring at times,
(16:47):
the defenseman have had to you know, we know what
the numbers are when the top scoring in it to
the league in terms of the defenders with monteur and
Done and everybody else chipping in. But the problem is
that is it kind at the expense of you know, your
own zone and your own defensive zone. Probably at times
it has Joey failed them out. But I always come
(17:08):
back and think one thing, I don't think this team
is that far away. The question is can they make
the necessary moves in the off season to get over
the huff and to get back into you know, the
post seeds and where anything can happen. And if Joey
gets hot in the in the postseason. I'd love to
see Joey to court the postseason get hot. Yeah, let
(17:29):
him get hot, see what he can do and carry
a team. But what can they do in the off
season because there's a lot of teams with cap room,
there's also a lot of teams with their own draft
picks that can do the same thing Seattle can in
terms of you want to start doing offer sheet. So
it's a really easily the most challenging offseason coming up
for general manager Ron Francis and his staff to try
(17:51):
to put this thing over the top. Good young players
come up with the pipeline, lots to be excited about,
but can they put the can they do what they
need to do to put the thing over the top
In the.
Speaker 1 (18:01):
Offseason, friends, we know that you have questions. We're going
to be here for answers as well. That's a great transition, Ian,
because we're we're gonna get to our mailbag segment coming
up here in just a bit right around the corner though,
a conversation with Adam Larson, Cracking Skills consultant Matt Lark
as well, plus a look at the Firebirds. Ian back
with us after that right here on Cracking Weekly on
(18:22):
ninety three to three KJRFM. But Coachelle Valley is a
playoff team once again, third straight year in as many
seasons of existence. Yet they come off a four to
one loss to Henderson. The Silver Knights have been a
problem for them here for this season, but they're all
done with Henderson. They are back home now and a
(18:42):
very heavily favored home schedule to end the season. In particular,
it's four games in a row at Akrosher Arena, San
Jose tonight. They're just getting underway. Bakersfield after that coming
up on Saturday, back to back as far as game
Saturday and Sunday. The Sunday matchup they're taken on San
Diego and then two more to wrap up the season,
(19:04):
the home finale against Abbotsford on the eighteenth and the
regular season concluding at San Diego on April nineteenth. So
Coachelle Valley under head coach Eric lastall getting more reinforcements
back in their lineup. We mentioned, of course, Yonnie Newman,
sent down from the Crack into the American Hockey League.
He's going to be a much needed piece of their
(19:25):
weaponry coming up in playoff time, and the question for
him right now is does he have enough in the
tank right now to hit thirty goals? He needs four
in the remaining five games to hit the thirty goal
plateau and become the third player in as many seasons
to hit the thirty goal plateau in Coachelle Valley. Cole
Lynd did that in their expansion season of two years ago.
(19:46):
Max McCormick as a single season record at thirty two,
and Newman will need a massive heater to reach that
or surpassive, but four goals in five games in theory
that would get him to to thirty again Coachella Valley.
This evening taken on San Jose and the Barracuda, who
are the Sharks affiliate, also trying to lock up their
(20:07):
playoff future as well, once again with Coachella Valley sitting
forth in the Pacific Division at thirty six, twenty four
two and five, first seventy nine points on the campaign.
All right, as far as Kraken matters, we talk with
defenseman Adam Larson on recent success he's found offensively from
the blue line. However, a part of his game that
(20:28):
he's not well known for, nor is of his primary responsibility.
He's of course earned a reputation as a shutdown defenseman,
but Larson needs two more goals for a new career high.
He had eight in eighty two with the Kraken in
their expansion season, and then two years ago on the
way to the playoffs, he hit eight in eighty two
games once again. But Larson also a big part of
(20:51):
this crack and dressing room with more thoughts on the
psychological state of the team and how this summer could
dictate an important path moving forward. Here's that Larson for
the crack and dressing room with us one on one.
Adam Larson joining us right now and Adam, been a
while since we've had a chance to chat. But first off,
when you get a day off you've had between for
roadstops and you go back home, what's the best day
(21:13):
to unwind.
Speaker 5 (21:14):
At this time of year? First off, a sunny day,
a little bit more out there. Yeah, I know, I.
Speaker 6 (21:20):
Do a lot of dog walks, go out for lunch,
and the dinner plans kind of gets canceled out with
the kids, So it's it's more focus on the lunch
these days and just being outside and chill.
Speaker 7 (21:33):
Baby is growing. We'll get to that in a little bit.
And I hear a family is doing awesome, which I
think a lot of us are thrilled to hear.
Speaker 1 (21:39):
But first off, i'd love your perspective from the last
few games before this season comes to an end. What
do you want to accomplish with what time is left
here heading into the off season.
Speaker 6 (21:50):
Well, we're still trying to win as much as we can,
and I kind of like what the team hasn't just quit.
We're kind of still battling hard for each other, for
everyone involved. And I mean it's it's a lot of
pride guys in here, so it's just bowling hard and
(22:10):
play as a team. I think it's a very important demonstrutcher.
Speaker 7 (22:14):
Players would say that battle level comes in certain forms,
whether it's resilience from the mind, whether it's the physical
as well, and the perception is out there that this
team is growing with how it plays the game physically.
Speaker 1 (22:26):
How much would you agree with that?
Speaker 5 (22:27):
Yeah, yeah, I would say so.
Speaker 6 (22:29):
I mean it's I don't know I would We're obviously
not happy with our year, and we're hoping we were
sitting in a different possession right now, but we I
still think that this team and this group has a
really bright future with the stars and with the young
players they have here. So yeah, I mean when it
(22:53):
comes to the physical aspect, I think it is. Yeah,
we just played more like a team and just looks
more connected.
Speaker 7 (23:01):
When you get into the off season, I know that
there are a few games to go until you can
kind of finish what you started here. But what can
that off season do to help you recharge mentally and
understand what core values mean the most to this team
heading into this next season.
Speaker 6 (23:16):
I think everyone kind of needs to reflect how their
personal year was and what the team, what you need
to bring to the team, not just for short spurts,
but for for a full season. I mean, I think
we all kind of need to take a hard look
in the mirror and because we need to get better.
We need to be better everybody in here. So it's yeah,
(23:39):
that's what those those weeks are for before you start.
Speaker 7 (23:42):
Kind of getting back here to the physical thing. When
you see guys recently like Yannie Newman, Mikey A. Simon
who's new here to this team, and others dive in,
you know, whether it's giving a little bit back, you know, pushing,
shoving and even a little bit of chirping as well.
What kind of a lift does that give for the bench?
Speaker 3 (23:58):
A lot?
Speaker 6 (23:59):
I mean, even not to forget anyone, but John Hayden
is I think very important for this team, and I
think we have a little different look when he's in
the lineup, and you can see the swagger coming out
too from from a lot of guys. But I mean
Jianna has been playing unreal and Mikey too. I mean,
it's it's just fun to watch. So obviously they've scored
(24:22):
a lot of goals too, which which help.
Speaker 7 (24:25):
I love how you bring up John Hayden because he
does have experience. He has a reputation as well with
other teams. But when he's in and making a big impact,
what does that impact look and feel like here?
Speaker 5 (24:35):
Well, I think it's just a confidence thing for the group.
Speaker 6 (24:37):
And he knows what kind of player is. The coaches
know what kind of players is, and we know what
kind of players is. He brings that hardness, toughness and
a lot of energy through your room, which I think
I think you need. And that's why why he's up
here and he's been playing really good.
Speaker 7 (24:57):
The points have been coming for you lately.
Speaker 5 (24:59):
What's working for you your game? I don't know. I mean,
I don't feel like I've changed much.
Speaker 6 (25:06):
Sometimes it goes and spurse and yeah.
Speaker 7 (25:11):
I can't get out of here without asking about the
guys sitting to your left and your d partner and
Vince done. And this is getting to the end of
the three seasons where you have been paired on a
routine basis. How has he made you better even to
present day.
Speaker 6 (25:25):
I think it's more of the chemistry like we built
throughout these years.
Speaker 3 (25:29):
And.
Speaker 6 (25:32):
Yeah, we kind of know where each other is going
to be, And I mean it's so much easier to
have that chemistry with someone and kind of don't have
to read off or you just read off each other
and not.
Speaker 5 (25:44):
Reacting that much. So it's it's for sure helping.
Speaker 6 (25:47):
And obviously he scrolled is grown his own game a
lot since I first started playing with him, but it's
I mean, it's it's a hell with players, so it's
always nice to have.
Speaker 5 (25:57):
Him, I must.
Speaker 7 (25:59):
Does that chemistry also extend to you know, life on
the road and even hanging out as well at home?
Speaker 6 (26:04):
Yeah, I mean pretty much hang out everywhere. Sleeps next
to me on the plane at all times. Have you
sleeper on the plane? Yes, I know, it is. It's good.
Speaker 5 (26:20):
I mean we pretty much hang out all the time,
so it's fun.
Speaker 7 (26:22):
Finally, how's family and I guess all but is turning
one correct?
Speaker 5 (26:26):
Yeah? Tomorrow, And yeah they're good. I mean.
Speaker 6 (26:32):
It's play time pretty much all day, every day, so
it's no different than then before bet it was just
like now it's she's growing and teething and everybody with
kids know what that's like.
Speaker 7 (26:50):
So so then what's the best part about fatherhood to get.
Speaker 5 (26:53):
I would just say, like, how much. I don't know.
Speaker 6 (26:56):
You kind of see life from his perspective when you
get kid and I don't know, I love it and
I'll have everything about it. I don't know a specific thing,
but I just think it's great. It's the coolest thing
in the world.
Speaker 7 (27:12):
So amazing world, Adam, Thank you very much.
Speaker 5 (27:14):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (27:15):
You know why I love talking with Adam Larson. We've
been doing this here for four years. Introspective, direct, deliberate
and honest. We've received that ever since the start, from
twenty twenty one, and this is what makes him such
an incredible conversation. Adam Larson joining us a family first
as well. Great to see family as of course, happy
(27:35):
and healthy as he is almost finished with his fourth
season on the Crack and Blue Line. Well, if you're
at Cracking practices or even morning skates, you may see
an additional figure on the ice and a coaching capacity,
and he works with the cracking player's hand in hand
to improve their skill set from shooting, passing, skating all
(27:55):
across the board. His name is Matt Lark, serving on
staff as the team's skill consultant since twenty twenty two.
He travels with the team on a regular basis, previously
competing as a right winger across several minor league outfits,
including the Canadian Hockey League, the Southern Professional Hockey League,
and EHL as well. Here's our conversation with Matt Lark
(28:16):
on his background, philosophy and more.
Speaker 7 (28:19):
Well, Matt, thank you for doing this here, and first off,
I want to bring up your background. What did playing
throughout the minor leagues give you as far as perspective
on how these guys operate?
Speaker 8 (28:28):
You know, like the minor.
Speaker 9 (28:29):
Leagues is nothing compared to obviously the NHL, but it
put me through the ring of grinding and out and
you know.
Speaker 8 (28:37):
These coaches work so hard.
Speaker 9 (28:39):
They're here at the rink at five and they're gone
by four or five in the afternoon. So the grinding
part definitely helped me. Operation wise. It's obviously a lot
better here in NHL.
Speaker 7 (28:52):
What would you say makes the biggest difference in between
a player's schedule and the coach's schedule That really goes
into making all this work.
Speaker 9 (29:00):
Know what, we we analyze a lot of video, all
the coaches do, and there's nothing to be missed with
details and video. There's no hiding in a good way.
Or a bad way, so you know, the players really
don't have to worry about that stuff. It's already set
up and cut out from the players once they get here,
and it's seamless from there.
Speaker 7 (29:22):
And I know that we talked about this earlier, and
it's you know, it's understood that coaches, you know, coaching
goes beyond the whole x's and no type of thing.
And this league is the best league in the world
for a reason is because the players are the master.
But they also want to get better here. But they're
also not settling. So what's the one thing that they
have in common? You think when it comes to how
they want to get better, whether it's from shooting or
(29:43):
passing or skating as well.
Speaker 9 (29:45):
I always say, always circle back to the fundamentals. The
best analogy I can use is like an NBA player
never stops shooting free throws, free throws, So you know,
if it's extra reps just to have them feel better
going into the.
Speaker 8 (30:00):
Next game, I'm there for them.
Speaker 9 (30:02):
And obviously it's just maybe pointing out a couple of
different things where uh, you know, just to add more
tools to the toolbox, per se, maybe a different way
of shooting situational, what shot to use. If the pass
is slow, you got a soft catch, change the angle.
If it's a hard pass, you got to stop.
Speaker 8 (30:24):
It and push.
Speaker 9 (30:25):
So it's it's it's small stuff like that. I sound
like a nerd right now, but I really get into it.
Speaker 7 (30:30):
A helpful information here is that we're joining again by
Matt Lark skills coach here for the Seattle Crack and
taking the name out of it here to kind of
remove any kind of trade secret. Talk about all this,
but what's one example of a player who's really taking
the next step as far as leaps and bounds and
what you've had to do and working with that kind
of player?
Speaker 9 (30:47):
Uh, you know, it's the guys that always come out early,
and it's just showing them different things. But I mean,
I could I could pick ten of them, Like, I
never have to bag any of the guys that are
always willing and wanting to come out and get better
no matter what it is.
Speaker 7 (31:02):
When a guy is hurt, how often do you have
to put some guardrails up psychologically versus physically on the
road of recovery.
Speaker 8 (31:10):
So I have a good communication with JR.
Speaker 9 (31:13):
And he pretty much tells me like a timeframe, and
then I'm just watching the player to see if they're
wincing or anything like that. So, lower body injury, like
we're doing a lot of edge work. If it's an
upper body injury, we're doing more skating, less stickhandling, so
on and so forth.
Speaker 7 (31:30):
When you work with those kind of players, how often
is there you know, a talk of you know, because
these players are so hyper focused and getting back in
helping their teammates, but the communication of a slower role,
take your time, use patients here to effectively get back.
Speaker 5 (31:44):
Yeah.
Speaker 9 (31:44):
Absolutely, you know, like their mindset is they're gonna feel
like they are where they were before they got hurt.
That's usually not the case. So like they have to
just start slow and build their self up with progressions,
and then obviously once that happens, I regain their confidence.
Speaker 7 (32:01):
What got you into this business with the idea that
coaching was the right fit for you?
Speaker 8 (32:05):
You know what, I don't dictate ice time, but I'm
here to help the coaches and here to help the
players as well.
Speaker 9 (32:11):
If I can help them get maybe two extra minutes
a night, my job is a success.
Speaker 7 (32:18):
So yeah, what's the one thing that you would tell
yourself back when you were playing, of what it would
take to be able to succeed and reach the NHL level.
Speaker 9 (32:28):
If I knew some of the things that I do now,
I think I'd be a better player, obviously. But that's
why I never cracked it. Yeah, it's just it's it's
great to be here every day and see these guys.
Speaker 8 (32:40):
Put in the work and I enjoy every day. I
don't take a day off and I love it. Matt,
Thank you, Thank you very much.
Speaker 1 (32:48):
All right, big thanks once again to Matt Lark an
incredible story he has shared right now skills consulting for
the Cracking and previously a minor leaguer as a right
winger at thirty seven years of age, now coming out
of a that spans cities such as Fort Wayne, Tulsa,
Rapid City, Bloomington, and Dayton, also SPHL outposts with Mississippi
(33:09):
and Richmond and entrusted now by helping build the skill
set of each and every Cracking player in the dressing room.
Matt Lark joining us. Also, big things once again to
Adam Larson for hanging out with us for a few minutes.
Ian Farness's back with us next right here on Cracking
Weekly on ninety three to three KJRFM. We mentioned this
earlier because after tomorrow night, the crack And just have
(33:30):
two games left, they're both at home, and six days
from now it will be fan appreciation Night when the
Kraken close out the season against the Los Angeles Kings.
Team Awards. I'm on the pageant tree coming up to
finally end the year. So we put this question on
your plate at ex at crack and Audio Net. Who's
your fan favorite here for this year? Is it Joey Decord,
(33:52):
Is it Jared McCann, is it Brandon montor or is
it other? And you get a fill in as well.
Right now, forty three percent of you say Joey Decord
is your fan favorite. Joey Decord clocking into forty three
percent and among the fill ins right now Kevin saying
Shane Wright. I vote continuing right now, ad exit crack
(34:15):
An Audio Net. You can find this show, by the way,
podcasted on the iHeartRadio app again, just search for the
crack and Audio Network. I Mike Ian's back with us
now Ian before we get into matters of looking ahead,
who gets your vote? If you could do this from
the seeds for fan favorite.
Speaker 3 (34:33):
So not an MVP, just a fan favorite. Go for it, Compo, Cocko,
go Copple Coco. I he you know, we talked about
it on the CV broadcast on on Tuesday night with
bretton Allison and myself that you know, I mean, and
I think I think Alison Brett mentioned, you know, the
(34:55):
cracking before Cocko, cracking after Coco, two different teams. Yeah,
and al you mentioned a Alison mentioned Coppocco pre seat
Rangers version and Seattle version, two different types of players
a lot better too. Copo Coco is just down at home.
It's but awesome to see. You know, I'd give an
honorable mention if I'm just talking about how I like,
(35:16):
you know, the player this year, Ellie colvinen leads the
team and hits by a ton, plays physical finish. It
is probably the best finisher on the team. Part of
the pun and uh you know, and obviously he helps
Coco along the way and New Middle on the way
as the veteran Spin rolling into town. So I those
are the guys. I mean, I'm I'm a fan of
the two fins for sure, but Coppo would be if
(35:36):
I'm having to go with a fan favorite. I would
go with Coppo because.
Speaker 1 (35:39):
I don't want to blow up your spot here because
we get to vote for Team MVP and that's going
to get revealed coming up here for this next Tuesday.
But to Allison's point as well, Coppocco, the metrics support
the surface stuff and it's not a question to look
at maybe as Copocaco, can he be a twenty goal
guy this next season, maybe even push fifty points with
(36:01):
Matty benears.
Speaker 3 (36:03):
I'd be disappointed if he's not a twenty gold guy.
And I think he's got to be a sixty point
guy for this team. To be honest with you, I
think I think that's all. I think that's realistic. I
think that's what you expect. He's going to be a
year older, he's in a comfortable spot still a young
guy playing with Maddie and whoever else he's paired with
next year. Yeah, man, I got to think twenty five,
(36:25):
thirty five, twenty twenty forty. He's got a sixty point
guy in my mind.
Speaker 1 (36:29):
Let's get to our mailbag segment here again. Ian joining
us right now on Crack and Weekly, and I pose
this question last night of what's on your mind? The
most from how the cracking played last evening in Utah,
and he and we touched on this just from the
sake if you don't want to dwell on it too
much all the conditions that went in as well. But
we get one question here asking in his own words,
(36:51):
is the tank on because the fourth position in the
lottery is within reach. I would be very careful about
that because number one, Todd light Wickie has said this
is not going to be a rebuild. That's fact. He's
already said so. And I think number two, you have
to be careful as far as what you want out
of this draft from a long term build. It's not
(37:12):
going to be as strong of a draft egan as
we've seen last two, three, four, maybe even five years.
And on top of that as well, this draft day
likely won't be one of where you want to accumulate
a lot here for the future and say where can
these guys be five years down the road? But how
(37:33):
much transaction activity is going to be going down here
for this team as they can build for the now.
Speaker 3 (37:41):
Yeah, they're not thanking, that's not how they think. That's
now athletes think, and can you know I would just
listen it'd be great to have an aircraft carrier and
a franchise, a young franchise caliber player like a Maxlum
celebrity or Colin Connor Badard. But look where those teams are.
They're both below Seattle and the standings, right, So those
(38:01):
are long term rebuild, long term issues that those teams
have that they got to deal with. And I don't
know or I don't see that being Seattle in any way,
shape or form. So yeah, no, that's that's not something
they're looking at or going to do or anything like that.
You know, what they're looking at is simple. I mean,
it's it's all those draft picks. Francis has said before
(38:24):
he's not using him because I could use all those
draft picks and and he's gonna you know, they're gonna
listen those two days in the draft and free agency
begins and all that that period of time it's critical,
it's crucial. It's also going to be really really busy,
I think for the Seattle crack. And like I said,
(38:44):
it's a very open, it's a very tough, very challenging offseason,
and Ron France is in his staff have to take
that next step and I you know, I think they will.
I've got confidence they're gona able toccomplish what they need
to accomplish and get this team back to where it
needs to be, and that's back in the scalely coup layoffs.
Speaker 1 (38:57):
We get one reaction here from JR W one six
nine at X saying he's questioning how people can look
at the roster and performance and think that this is
a roster just a move or two away from contention,
and that this isn't a rebuild. Here where I look
at this team from where they are built. You are
(39:18):
great with goalie one A. You have arguably defensively one
of the better decours in the entire league. Montour is
a real deal. Vince Dunn's a real deal. Adam Larsen
the real deal. We're seeing very defensive play now at
A Jamie alexiak Ryker Evans has had his ups and downs,
but he's got a long, long road ahead, and we
(39:39):
know defensemen have a longer curve for improvement in tracking
as compared to Fords as well. Then the forward part
of this, Shane Wright's erupted. Matty Beniers is getting there
once again. He's going to be a great, great top
six guy. For a Cup contender, Chandler Stevenson point total
(40:00):
in Vegas, Ellie Tolbenen twenty gold guy, Jaden Schwartz, twenty
gold guy. There's McCann, there's Cocko. So as of right now,
from what I see this Ian we touched on this.
You add a big piece, an aircraft carrier, that's setting
yourself up potentially for a big, big upgrade.
Speaker 3 (40:20):
Yeah, listen, if you're the person saying that they should
tear it down or they're in the middle of a rebuild,
you're just not paying attention. You're just you's not like
it's it's a first of all, it's a dumb word,
to be honest with you, in sports, it's just a
dumb word. If people use it all the time, and
he'sn't all sports. You know, we hear I hear it
all the time locally with the NFL team. Like, like,
(40:42):
first of all, I always say, like, define what a
rebuild is. Do that for me, because you know when
you're rebuilding. You know, in the NFL, for example, you're
coming off a two or three win season and you
probably don't have a quarterback, and you don't have any
core pieces. That's very few key in the NFL that
are down that road, like if if, if you're the
(41:05):
in the NHL. You just talked about it, the most
important commodity is a center iceman. Well, they're set down
the middle. They're they're completely set down the middle between
Vaneer's right, Stevenson one, two three. You know, I don't
know how how many more times we can say that.
We said that on this podcast Mike or the show
(41:26):
a number of times.
Speaker 1 (41:27):
And here's the thing, Gan right is still is still
a ways away from peaking away.
Speaker 3 (41:32):
He's twenty he's twenty one years old. Like their core pieces,
a lot of their not a lot of their core
pieces are our kids, Vaneers, Coppo Cocko, Shane Wright. You
go down that list, right, you know, I mean it's
it's these guys are all young players. And then you know,
(41:53):
I first of all, you've got a really strong you know,
let's say five guys you know and who knows what
happens you know with let's just go through it. I
mean dark Larson and Dunne. That's a great top pair.
If you go number two, I mean, Rikers only play.
This is rikers first full year for being honest, aren't
we like let's be honest, he didn't play. What did
(42:15):
you play last year, Mike thirty, How many games did
you play last year?
Speaker 5 (42:19):
Last year?
Speaker 3 (42:20):
Okay, yeah, so Riker and Montour one, two, three, four,
Alexia a piece five or a piece four, it doesn't matter.
That's a really good four or five. And then you
pair him with whatever you want to do. If you
want to have Kale flurry back to the right shot,
you want to have Mahura, who's been a really solid
player back, well, then I like that that those three
pairs pretty good goalie one a uh, you mentioned Chandler Stevens.
(42:42):
This is a game where people are stupid, like, look
at his numbers. You mentioned the same numbers as Vegas.
He has put together a hell of a season quietly
because he's not a splashy guy. Best passer in the league, specifically,
the best passer in the league connects on more passes
at a higher rate than anybody in the NAH. You know,
that's an elite player. Get him a finisher on the side.
(43:03):
You know, Jared McCann took a gift this year, But
I'll give Jared mccannon a little bit of a break.
They asked him to do a lot, see a lot.
He's playing just he's playing all over the place. Man.
The guy is a warrior. He bought five block shots
the other night, like lean score it five block shots.
(43:24):
They have to add some pieces. But when you say rebuild,
I'm like, rebuild, what are you getting rid of them?
On tour? In Stevens's contracts? Are you getting rid of
of Shane Wright at the age of twenty one? And
Matty Veneer's You know you're not going to resign compo
cocko or you're gonna let on Ellie Pulman walk. What
are we doing? You know, Yanni Newman's gonna be here
(43:44):
next year. You know, I'm really excited watch Janny Newman
in the Cold Cup playoffs to see what he does
the NHL experience, you know, with that NHL experience and
that confidence, he's gonna have you watch what that kid
does in the NHL player in the Calder Cup playoffs.
And by the way, I'll a lot more bite and
edge to his game than people thought too. With Janny Newman,
(44:04):
I mean when he's telling off rand Alist Pederson, You
and me like when he's mouthing that to him, that
guy's got a little bit of fight. And I was
talking to remember the hockey operations staff the other day.
They're staying we kind of thought he had that, but
weren't really sure. And then we sawt in Vancouver, like, okay, good,
like plays big Berkeley Catton. You know, can to count
(44:25):
on him. He gonna get the start of the season
next year. Ron Francis is already on record saying that
there's a lot to be excited about. They just have
to make those two or remove the offseason to improve
this team.
Speaker 1 (44:34):
I did want to get to that, and that's a
great segue because on the prospect side, Andre Losco signed
out of the OHL, Nathan vill Nev signed out of
the OHL, two players who have done some damage in
Major Junior Ian vill Nev in particular is the case
I can't wait to keep following. He can play, but
he's nasty, just a bracing in your face, love to hit,
(44:58):
love to chirp falls a ka Chuck Brothers. I know
we're a long way away here. I want to be
careful of this, but if he can put it all together,
it make the NHL. This could be a guy who
helps change the game for this team and their complexion
and then we get to Berkeley Catton as well, spoke
(45:19):
and sees Victoria in the second round and Berkeley Catton
fourteen points in five playoff games. That's obscene. This isn't
just a Ford on a mission. He's a heat seeking missile.
Speaker 3 (45:32):
Well, he can't play, he can't play with Dad next year.
It just doesn't help him right at this point. So
you know he's going to be here more than likely
a good chunk of the year. Probably load him out
for World Juniors and then let him come back, and
you know they'll ease him into the lineup. I wouldn't
expect too much. Villanu is a guy that gives them
bite the heat a couple of years away, probably, But
I do like I like his game. He's got enough
(45:55):
skill with thirty four goals this season, I think seventy
points and he got fight the game. He's definitely got
an edge and they need more of that. I mean,
it can't just be you know, Ty Carr James. You
know he's fighting out of his weight class the other night,
and you know, I give him all the threat in
the world, but it can't just be high running around,
hitting people, trying to.
Speaker 5 (46:13):
Set the doll.
Speaker 3 (46:14):
I think you resigned mikey At. I think we all
like the team with his game so far, so I
think if you resign him, that works well. But yeah,
I think there's a lot of things you can be
excited about, for sure.
Speaker 1 (46:24):
Big shout out here, by the way, on the prospects side,
the ever of Silvertips get the Portland winter Hawks for
seven games that series open Friday, or we'll open Friday.
Three cracking prospects in that series, Kate and Hammeld, Julius
miettn and on the Silvertip side, Tyson Jugnath on the
winter Hawks side. Before we go, let's look ahead of
he in Vegas tomorrow and we'll see if Grubauer starts
(46:46):
with Victor Osman back in the American Hockey League. But
I would love to see a clean game from the
box and a clean game from the first five minutes.
Jack Eigel reportedly day to day, Ian, what's on your
mind for Vegas tomorrow?
Speaker 3 (47:02):
You know, I think i'd like, I guess, the one
thing I'd like to see, I'd like to see Ellie's
Holden get a chance in the power play in the
final three games. I mean, he's you know, he's a
twenty goal scorer for a good junk of the year,
your leading goal scorer, and he hasn't played on the
power play. I'd like to see me a chance there.
Speaker 5 (47:16):
All right.
Speaker 1 (47:16):
Cracking in Vegas tomorrow seven o'clock puck drops, six thirty airtime.
Ian back on the desk once again as we close
out the TV side. By the way, my man, you
did a fantastic job all year long. This is our
last conversation before you guys can drop the curtain on
the TV side of things, before the Kings come in
and that's a national game. But fantastic work once again. Man,
(47:37):
you deserve this.
Speaker 5 (47:38):
Proud of you.
Speaker 3 (47:39):
I appreciate. I appreciate, Mike, Thank you.
Speaker 1 (47:41):
All right, Thank you again. Cracking in Vegas tomorrow on
air for the radio side, also on the Emerald Queen
Casino Crack at Audio Network at six thirty. Then Saturday
against Saint Louis. Next Tuesday, the season wrapping up against
the Los Angeles Kings. Will be here for you big
thanks again to Adam Larsen Skills consultant Matt Laura Ian
for hanging out with us. Talk soon again. I'm Mike Benton,
(48:04):
Thanks for hanging out with us on Cracking Weekly on
ninety three three KJRFM.
The Cracking back home against Saint Louis Saturday. They host
the Kings next Tuesday, and then that's a wrap before
the summer of hot stove action. So a lot to
cover here this heating. We'll hear from defenseman Adam Larson
what's his outlook for the team moving forward, Plus a
look inside the Kraken with skills consultant Matt Lark but
(00:20):
looking forward to sharing this conversation with you. You'll talk
more on the fundamentals that NHLer is built on and
how his helping hand makes each player better inside the
Kraken dressing room. That plus our mail bag. As Ian Forness,
the mayor of Maple Valley, joining us in just a bit.
For this show. You can find us by the Way
podcast and on demand on the iHeartRadio app. Find the
(00:43):
Crack and Audio Network to get this show a course
on demand. You can also find KJR at X at
ninety three to three KJR and the Crack and Audio
Network at Kraken Audio Net. I'm at X at Benton Underscore.
Mike Ian by the way, as we said, joining us
in a moment. You can find him at E and
D Furness Pull question open right now find that ad
(01:04):
X at Crack and audio Net. With a season finale
now six days away, that'll mean fan appreciation is coming
up and also a team awards ceremony. So who's your
pick for fan favorite? Is it going to be Brandon Montour,
Is it going to be Jared McCann, Is it going
to be Joey Decord or someone else? You get a
fill and vote as well. Find that right now at
(01:26):
X at Krack and audio Net. So one game left
here on the road side of the schedule and the
Crack and right now have three games and behind them
to begin this road trip, which showed a lot of
growth and potential as a Crack in blitz Vancouver and
San Jose offensively, and then one in Los Angeles Monday,
and they won in a defensive fistfight. First off, a
(01:48):
five to nothing win at Vancouver, five to one win
at San Jose, then a two to one win at
Los Angeles where the Kraken add thirty blocked shots. You
heard that correctly, thirty locked shots as they turned in
the fifth game this season to and the Kings of
loss in regulation on home mice. Well Tuesday after that,
(02:10):
a tough one to digest seven to one. Lost last
evening in Utah, but the Krack and have a chance
for four wins out of five here on this final
road trip of the season and going through Vancouver, San Jose,
Los Angeles and Utah. Here's a sample of what you
may have heard. The offensive for Connor Garland.
Speaker 2 (02:27):
Garland on his back hand of that door, same bye,
Joey to Cord, my goodness.
Speaker 1 (02:35):
Drew O'Connor all along.
Speaker 3 (02:37):
On the right side to.
Speaker 2 (02:38):
Chord from his right to hits left, gets the glove
to knock it down and the Seattle rocket per day Store.
Speaker 1 (02:46):
Shane right storre.
Speaker 2 (02:49):
Shane right from the left circle the exact same place
the Chanler Stevenson goal was.
Speaker 1 (02:56):
Top right corner of the goal. Hits a third nothing Seattle.
Speaker 4 (03:01):
Lead by Shane Wright, being a right handed shot, comes
down the left side, gets a fantastic drop pass from
Jared McCann and puts it right in that top corner
above the glove. On Demko's side, it's three nothing.
Speaker 2 (03:13):
Cracked McCann up the left side, McCann on the slot.
Speaker 1 (03:16):
Perekowski sto.
Speaker 2 (03:20):
It's a two point night for Andreke Berekowski and the
Seattle Krackt had one more.
Speaker 1 (03:26):
They lead by four four nothing eleven.
Speaker 4 (03:28):
Oh five to play absolutely in another great feed by
Jared McCann. He waits waits, waits down the slot, sells
the shot to Demko, so Demko has to respect that
and come up to attacking it in the last second,
slides it over to his right and berkoffskis on his
off wing. It's easy shot in the back of the net.
Four nothing kracking and McCann has.
Speaker 2 (03:48):
At wits it out the center down the right side
comes Virekowski.
Speaker 1 (03:52):
He's got McCann down the slot.
Speaker 2 (03:54):
Stood yes, he McCann Jared McCann thirteen fourteen.
Speaker 1 (04:01):
To click hand near side goal line on the corner.
Speaker 2 (04:04):
Brakoski scors Adam Larson from the corner. Andre Barrakowski got
the puck in the low slot while falling able to
beg it in by you are you have?
Speaker 1 (04:17):
Emily skates it right back out to us last Stephenson
bent to Beverly right wing into the zone.
Speaker 5 (04:21):
Goos cross eyes.
Speaker 1 (04:22):
Montor shooting stars Brandon Montour off the bar and then
thirty point six to go in period one and the Kraken.
They have taken their first lead of the game in
Los Angeles at two and a one.
Speaker 4 (04:36):
Well again, it's a straight up three on two rush
up the ice. Stevenson moves out puck up to Eperly
down the right side. Eperley waits to find that scene.
Montor's jumped into the rush. He's on his off wing
and Evererley finds him over on that far side. He
beats Kemper glove side under the bar to one crack.
At that point spence up by Anderson.
Speaker 1 (04:55):
One timer and a glove say by Joey Decord. He
hangs on with six fifty left in period three to
still keep it a two to one.
Speaker 5 (05:04):
Cracking.
Speaker 1 (05:04):
A cannon front scores.
Speaker 2 (05:07):
Andre Barkowski finds McCann in front. It's a power play
goal for Seattle just twenty three seconds in and the
crackner on the board.
Speaker 1 (05:17):
It's a seven to one Utah.
Speaker 4 (05:20):
Lead, much the way the Utah Utah Hockey Club has
scored a couple of times tonight. That backdoor pass, it's
Breukowski on the half wall on the power play finds
McKinnon streaking in times to pass perfectly, puts it on
his forehead.
Speaker 1 (05:33):
It's an easy tap in This game's now seven zent
up the wall redirected end of the New York corner.
Speaker 4 (05:38):
Here's Adam Larcit now for Krause put back toward the
goaltone left side.
Speaker 1 (05:44):
Victor Offfman makes his first save in the NHL. All right,
the cracking finishing back to back games, unfortunately with that loss,
and we'll talk about this more with the in here
in a bit, but still attacking, more offense on the board.
And a reminder for you all sees long, Hearts plumbers,
electricians and each technicians will donate fifty dollars to Children's
Hospital for every Kraken goal scored. So far, Hearts is
(06:06):
pledged eleven eight hundred dollars two Children's Hospital with two
hundred and thirty six goals on the season. So let's
keep it up, Cracking fans and follow along all season
long see how much we can raise for Children's Hospital
thanks to Hearts. Well the crack can try to get
through the illness bug right now, Ryker Evans missing the
game in Los Angeles and then last night Philip Grubauer
(06:28):
out of commission at Utah. Plenty of shuffling going on
in the process. Ford Yannie Newman, Gray Stard He's had
six points in his first twelve NHL games. He was
sent back to AHL Coachello Valley Monday. Ryan Winterton called
up one day after that. Goaltender Victor Osman as well,
called up on an emergency basis and pressed right into
(06:51):
action after Joey Decord unfortunately gave up seven goals on
twenty nine shots in Utah for the first two periods,
Osman making the most of it. His debut twelve saves flawless,
and he looked great in nets. So we'll see if
health is better with this team tomorrow in Vegas. As Osman,
by the way, sent back to AHL Coachella Valley earlier today.
(07:13):
All Right, the mayor of Maple Valley joining us right now.
That's Ian forness. Ian. We're gonna get to nitty gritty
stuff in a moment, but I want to step aside
and pause. Three and one so far on this trip,
and based on the body of work in Vancouver, San
Jose and Los Angeles, how much does that affect where
(07:33):
this team is grasping a long term blueprint Given the
fact that you have to weigh in the seven to
one loss last night in Utah. All right, Ian Finess,
joins us now Ian. We're gonna get to nitty gritty
stuff in a moment, but I want to step aside
and pause. Three and one so far on this trip
(07:54):
and based on the body of work in Vancouver, San
Jose and Los Angeles, how much does that effect where
this team is grasping a long term blueprint Given the
fact that you have to weigh in the seven to
one loss last night in Utah.
Speaker 3 (08:12):
Well, the seven to one loss shot down up to
a couple of things. One, we know how dismal they've
been in terms of the second half of back to back.
Now oh and fourteen over the last two seasons. Is
the streak oh and twelve this year in the second
half of back to back. But keep in mind they're
not healthy. And I'm not talking about you know, these arms, laganments,
(08:36):
what have you there, They're sick. I mean, there's a
there's a bug going through you know. Drew Bauer didn't
make didn't dress last night. Jessica Campbell, for example, didn't
finish the game on the fence because she fell ill.
I mean, you can see it on the faces of guys.
They looked like they were gray like basically just awful
all the way around. And so you know, I think
he chalked that up to that yesterday, you know, And
(08:59):
it depends on who you asked what these games mean.
You know, Jordan Everley, he's a captain. We should listen
to him, for sure. He'll tell you that it's establishing
a culture for next year. All that stuff. I've never
seen it in any sport, I mean, any sport, hockey
or any other sport where what you did at the
end of a season by finishing strong carried over to
the next year. So I wouldn't put it into that
(09:21):
outside of if you want to build a culture or
whatever that culture would be, then so be it. That's
hard to define.
Speaker 1 (09:27):
I mean, you know, I know when you try to
go to work at half energy, when a bug gets through,
it is awfully, awfully tough to get through. And I
think about what happened last year when the Kraken. Similarly,
we're on a trip to Vegas through New York as well.
I mean, it takes a lot to wipe out a
guy like Adam Larson who couldn't make it through the
first period in a game like that last year. But
that's what happens when you have something like that flowing
(09:50):
through a team. So the back to back numbers, Ian,
you mentioned they aren't easy here to look at, and
you mentioned ohen twelve this season. Gold differential in that
respect for those games this year is minus thirty three.
That's the number in the second game of back to backs.
And this is where I really get into the what
if game. What if you don't even find a way
(10:13):
to win a ton of those games. What if you
just win half of those, that's twelve points you're adding
on to your total. So I think to you, Ian,
what stood out the most in these types of games,
secondhanded back to back?
Speaker 3 (10:27):
How badly they've been outplayed game the numbers they could
they've been no shows in those games, and they'll just
plug you take yesterday out, say let's look at the
previous eleven this year, or the previous thirteen going back
to the last two last year. They just were no shows.
They were non existent. And in that regard that that's
(10:50):
just that's a problem because this is the league peop
will play back to back in and you have to
be better. Though you're right, they left points on the table.
I mean, every team at the end of the year
is going to look around and say, we left points
on the table, right, like we left points on the
table here, we left points on the table there. Whoever
you left points on the table. Every team is going
to look at that during the course of the season
and say that we did that. And but then you
(11:12):
have to look at you know, like, how can you
correct it? And in the case of the Kraken, they must.
I I can't fathom. And now I don't have the
numbers of front of the mic, and maybe the numbers
won't bear this out. If they don't, then and I'm
the idiot, okay, But how many of those games were
games in which Philip Rubauer went the second game and
(11:35):
it was when he was really struggled. He's played well lately,
no doubt about it, like he both played well lately,
But how many of those second half of those back
to backs where he just couldn't stop the buck and
you know a couple of those times Joey had to
go in, So you know, what were the reasons? What
were the issues? There's there are many, but that's a
coaching staff thing, and they employ enough people and the
(11:56):
analytics department and the sports performers departments and they've got
to figure that out because borderline non competitive in too
many of those games.
Speaker 1 (12:03):
I mean the Utah game last night, because since this
one really getting away when Utah made a two nothing
and the penalty issue began rearing its ugly head once again,
Joey to Cord was in there for the second straight
night because Grubauer was ill. But where are you at
right now with his workload because he has grabbed a
ton of games over the most recent weeks.
Speaker 3 (12:25):
Yeah, I mean I was just, guys, just what I'll
go back and chock it up. I mean, he wasn't
supposed to play last night. He probably think he was
gonna play until, you know, whenever they found out that
Grubauer was not able to go so and I thought
he was tired because I was, you know, a texting
somebody else, you know on none of the member of
broadcast teams, uh, saying it is Joey's skin because he
looked slow and lethargic, and I was. The reply was, no,
(12:47):
he's just exhausted. You know, you probably could have made
the case to take him out earlier. What does the
game matter? It doesn't at this point. You're you're playing
for lottery bald and lottery tickets at this point. So
you know, look at then, how about a stick staff
to Victor Oswein.
Speaker 1 (13:02):
Oh goodness, yeah yeah.
Speaker 3 (13:04):
Most of most of the season and the playing in
the coast and he's playing in the jungle all year
and now he's playing and is making his NHL debut
and thirteen stays on thirteen shots. Good for him, man,
I thought that was at the cool storyline last night.
You know, who knows what the future holds for him
and how many more games he's got at the show,
hopefully a lot for his sake. And but you know,
(13:25):
we mentioned this on the on the Crack and Hockey
Network last night. You know, because our colleague Brett fest
Wing was a journeyman around the league and bounced up
and down and then ended up finishing in Europe. But
he played in the NHL. It's like, you know less
than you know, one half of one half of one
percent or whatever it is. The kids that laced him
up playing the National Hockey League and Victor Rosman got
to play in the NHL last night. A strange year.
(13:47):
You know, a team that had gone through what four
goalies total in the first three seasons with three guard
Jones to Cord and Gruenauer, and they played five goaltenders
this year, so just one of those years, one of
those nights last night. But I thought it was awesome
to seek Rosman do it the game last night. I
just don't think it's worth even dwelling on except for
one issue outside of the illness. And Vince then came
(14:07):
on and Piper asked him last night about you know,
the illness, and he said, you know. She says, how
would you chalk it up to any of that? And
he said zero, zero excuse, which I like. I like
that attitude. I like what he said there. But that's
the reality, if you want to look at it from
a hockey standpoint, you can't be shorthanded all night. And
they were shorthanded a good chunk of the night. And
I didn't mind the Riker penalty. I thought, you know,
(14:29):
when Evans, that's an aggressive hockey play. Yeah, high stick
on the shortest player in the league, which seems to
be an impossibility. That's a hard one to stomach. That's
four minutes a couple holds, clutches and grabs, probably fatigued
kicking in and you're just shorthanded, you can't get things done.
And that's a good that's a good skilled team to
put on the power play, and that's kind of what
hurt them.
Speaker 1 (14:49):
Cracking we're shuffling the deck Monday night in Los Angeles,
but yet one of defensive fist fighting and where they
laid down thirty blocked shots in that game. And more
so to me, how impressive they were in navigating center
ice in a tight third period and you felt the
crowd really getting into it, but they didn't take any shortcuts.
(15:11):
They made the simple smart play and Joey was great
in that game. So to you, how did you maybe
look at the Los Angeles win for a kind of
win this team can bank on for the future.
Speaker 3 (15:22):
I'm going to give you a word you're probably not expecting,
but I would say excruciating. And what I mean by
that is it's a better hockey team than the record
is shown this year. And that's the off season, and
that's that's the challenge of the off season, which you've
got to figure out why, why why is the team
that capable of going in beating the Los Angeles Kings,
(15:43):
which I think at the time the second best record
home record of the league working on twenty nine wins,
just four lots on the year. You were able to
go in there and beat those guys. And yeah, they
scored all three goals in the first period to two
to one, F one, two to one, F two to
one final. But why, why, why where's the team been
(16:03):
on here? I think we all thought this game is
better personnel Wiseman had shown this season. That was a
good example of it. It's frustrating and excruciating to see
like this, the fact that they were out of the
playoff rates so early, it's just odd. I don't understand.
It's the power play, you know. And Jill said on
the TV broadcast last night, and he was pretty blunt,
(16:26):
and I think I think i'd agree. He's like, hey,
you know, the power play has been an issue all
season long, and if you want to look at all
the issues and all the problems they've had, far too
often the power play failed this team. And I mean
he went, he had a pretty good rant in the
middle of the game about that last night. I thought
he was one hundred percent rate. Uh, you know. And
then I think because of the lack of scoring at times,
(16:47):
the defenseman have had to you know, we know what
the numbers are when the top scoring in it to
the league in terms of the defenders with monteur and
Done and everybody else chipping in. But the problem is
that is it kind at the expense of you know, your
own zone and your own defensive zone. Probably at times
it has Joey failed them out. But I always come
(17:08):
back and think one thing, I don't think this team
is that far away. The question is can they make
the necessary moves in the off season to get over
the huff and to get back into you know, the
post seeds and where anything can happen. And if Joey
gets hot in the in the postseason. I'd love to
see Joey to court the postseason get hot. Yeah, let
(17:29):
him get hot, see what he can do and carry
a team. But what can they do in the off
season because there's a lot of teams with cap room,
there's also a lot of teams with their own draft
picks that can do the same thing Seattle can in
terms of you want to start doing offer sheet. So
it's a really easily the most challenging offseason coming up
for general manager Ron Francis and his staff to try
(17:51):
to put this thing over the top. Good young players
come up with the pipeline, lots to be excited about,
but can they put the can they do what they
need to do to put the thing over the top
In the.
Speaker 1 (18:01):
Offseason, friends, we know that you have questions. We're going
to be here for answers as well. That's a great transition, Ian,
because we're we're gonna get to our mailbag segment coming
up here in just a bit right around the corner though,
a conversation with Adam Larson, Cracking Skills consultant Matt Lark
as well, plus a look at the Firebirds. Ian back
with us after that right here on Cracking Weekly on
(18:22):
ninety three to three KJRFM. But Coachelle Valley is a
playoff team once again, third straight year in as many
seasons of existence. Yet they come off a four to
one loss to Henderson. The Silver Knights have been a
problem for them here for this season, but they're all
done with Henderson. They are back home now and a
(18:42):
very heavily favored home schedule to end the season. In particular,
it's four games in a row at Akrosher Arena, San
Jose tonight. They're just getting underway. Bakersfield after that coming
up on Saturday, back to back as far as game
Saturday and Sunday. The Sunday matchup they're taken on San
Diego and then two more to wrap up the season,
(19:04):
the home finale against Abbotsford on the eighteenth and the
regular season concluding at San Diego on April nineteenth. So
Coachelle Valley under head coach Eric lastall getting more reinforcements
back in their lineup. We mentioned, of course, Yonnie Newman,
sent down from the Crack into the American Hockey League.
He's going to be a much needed piece of their
(19:25):
weaponry coming up in playoff time, and the question for
him right now is does he have enough in the
tank right now to hit thirty goals? He needs four
in the remaining five games to hit the thirty goal
plateau and become the third player in as many seasons
to hit the thirty goal plateau in Coachelle Valley. Cole
Lynd did that in their expansion season of two years ago.
(19:46):
Max McCormick as a single season record at thirty two,
and Newman will need a massive heater to reach that
or surpassive, but four goals in five games in theory
that would get him to to thirty again Coachella Valley.
This evening taken on San Jose and the Barracuda, who
are the Sharks affiliate, also trying to lock up their
(20:07):
playoff future as well, once again with Coachella Valley sitting
forth in the Pacific Division at thirty six, twenty four
two and five, first seventy nine points on the campaign.
All right, as far as Kraken matters, we talk with
defenseman Adam Larson on recent success he's found offensively from
the blue line. However, a part of his game that
(20:28):
he's not well known for, nor is of his primary responsibility.
He's of course earned a reputation as a shutdown defenseman,
but Larson needs two more goals for a new career high.
He had eight in eighty two with the Kraken in
their expansion season, and then two years ago on the
way to the playoffs, he hit eight in eighty two
games once again. But Larson also a big part of
(20:51):
this crack and dressing room with more thoughts on the
psychological state of the team and how this summer could
dictate an important path moving forward. Here's that Larson for
the crack and dressing room with us one on one.
Adam Larson joining us right now and Adam, been a
while since we've had a chance to chat. But first off,
when you get a day off you've had between for
roadstops and you go back home, what's the best day
(21:13):
to unwind.
Speaker 5 (21:14):
At this time of year? First off, a sunny day,
a little bit more out there. Yeah, I know, I.
Speaker 6 (21:20):
Do a lot of dog walks, go out for lunch,
and the dinner plans kind of gets canceled out with
the kids, So it's it's more focus on the lunch
these days and just being outside and chill.
Speaker 7 (21:33):
Baby is growing. We'll get to that in a little bit.
And I hear a family is doing awesome, which I
think a lot of us are thrilled to hear.
Speaker 1 (21:39):
But first off, i'd love your perspective from the last
few games before this season comes to an end. What
do you want to accomplish with what time is left
here heading into the off season.
Speaker 6 (21:50):
Well, we're still trying to win as much as we can,
and I kind of like what the team hasn't just quit.
We're kind of still battling hard for each other, for
everyone involved. And I mean it's it's a lot of
pride guys in here, so it's just bowling hard and
(22:10):
play as a team. I think it's a very important demonstrutcher.
Speaker 7 (22:14):
Players would say that battle level comes in certain forms,
whether it's resilience from the mind, whether it's the physical
as well, and the perception is out there that this
team is growing with how it plays the game physically.
Speaker 1 (22:26):
How much would you agree with that?
Speaker 5 (22:27):
Yeah, yeah, I would say so.
Speaker 6 (22:29):
I mean it's I don't know I would We're obviously
not happy with our year, and we're hoping we were
sitting in a different possession right now, but we I
still think that this team and this group has a
really bright future with the stars and with the young
players they have here. So yeah, I mean when it
(22:53):
comes to the physical aspect, I think it is. Yeah,
we just played more like a team and just looks
more connected.
Speaker 7 (23:01):
When you get into the off season, I know that
there are a few games to go until you can
kind of finish what you started here. But what can
that off season do to help you recharge mentally and
understand what core values mean the most to this team
heading into this next season.
Speaker 6 (23:16):
I think everyone kind of needs to reflect how their
personal year was and what the team, what you need
to bring to the team, not just for short spurts,
but for for a full season. I mean, I think
we all kind of need to take a hard look
in the mirror and because we need to get better.
We need to be better everybody in here. So it's yeah,
(23:39):
that's what those those weeks are for before you start.
Speaker 7 (23:42):
Kind of getting back here to the physical thing. When
you see guys recently like Yannie Newman, Mikey A. Simon
who's new here to this team, and others dive in,
you know, whether it's giving a little bit back, you know, pushing,
shoving and even a little bit of chirping as well.
What kind of a lift does that give for the bench?
Speaker 3 (23:58):
A lot?
Speaker 6 (23:59):
I mean, even not to forget anyone, but John Hayden
is I think very important for this team, and I
think we have a little different look when he's in
the lineup, and you can see the swagger coming out
too from from a lot of guys. But I mean
Jianna has been playing unreal and Mikey too. I mean,
it's it's just fun to watch. So obviously they've scored
(24:22):
a lot of goals too, which which help.
Speaker 7 (24:25):
I love how you bring up John Hayden because he
does have experience. He has a reputation as well with
other teams. But when he's in and making a big impact,
what does that impact look and feel like here?
Speaker 5 (24:35):
Well, I think it's just a confidence thing for the group.
Speaker 6 (24:37):
And he knows what kind of player is. The coaches
know what kind of players is, and we know what
kind of players is. He brings that hardness, toughness and
a lot of energy through your room, which I think
I think you need. And that's why why he's up
here and he's been playing really good.
Speaker 7 (24:57):
The points have been coming for you lately.
Speaker 5 (24:59):
What's working for you your game? I don't know. I mean,
I don't feel like I've changed much.
Speaker 6 (25:06):
Sometimes it goes and spurse and yeah.
Speaker 7 (25:11):
I can't get out of here without asking about the
guys sitting to your left and your d partner and
Vince done. And this is getting to the end of
the three seasons where you have been paired on a
routine basis. How has he made you better even to
present day.
Speaker 6 (25:25):
I think it's more of the chemistry like we built
throughout these years.
Speaker 3 (25:29):
And.
Speaker 6 (25:32):
Yeah, we kind of know where each other is going
to be, And I mean it's so much easier to
have that chemistry with someone and kind of don't have
to read off or you just read off each other
and not.
Speaker 5 (25:44):
Reacting that much. So it's it's for sure helping.
Speaker 6 (25:47):
And obviously he scrolled is grown his own game a
lot since I first started playing with him, but it's
I mean, it's it's a hell with players, so it's
always nice to have.
Speaker 5 (25:57):
Him, I must.
Speaker 7 (25:59):
Does that chemistry also extend to you know, life on
the road and even hanging out as well at home?
Speaker 6 (26:04):
Yeah, I mean pretty much hang out everywhere. Sleeps next
to me on the plane at all times. Have you
sleeper on the plane? Yes, I know, it is. It's good.
Speaker 5 (26:20):
I mean we pretty much hang out all the time,
so it's fun.
Speaker 7 (26:22):
Finally, how's family and I guess all but is turning
one correct?
Speaker 5 (26:26):
Yeah? Tomorrow, And yeah they're good. I mean.
Speaker 6 (26:32):
It's play time pretty much all day, every day, so
it's no different than then before bet it was just
like now it's she's growing and teething and everybody with
kids know what that's like.
Speaker 7 (26:50):
So so then what's the best part about fatherhood to get.
Speaker 5 (26:53):
I would just say, like, how much. I don't know.
Speaker 6 (26:56):
You kind of see life from his perspective when you
get kid and I don't know, I love it and
I'll have everything about it. I don't know a specific thing,
but I just think it's great. It's the coolest thing
in the world.
Speaker 7 (27:12):
So amazing world, Adam, Thank you very much.
Speaker 5 (27:14):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (27:15):
You know why I love talking with Adam Larson. We've
been doing this here for four years. Introspective, direct, deliberate
and honest. We've received that ever since the start, from
twenty twenty one, and this is what makes him such
an incredible conversation. Adam Larson joining us a family first
as well. Great to see family as of course, happy
(27:35):
and healthy as he is almost finished with his fourth
season on the Crack and Blue Line. Well, if you're
at Cracking practices or even morning skates, you may see
an additional figure on the ice and a coaching capacity,
and he works with the cracking player's hand in hand
to improve their skill set from shooting, passing, skating all
(27:55):
across the board. His name is Matt Lark, serving on
staff as the team's skill consultant since twenty twenty two.
He travels with the team on a regular basis, previously
competing as a right winger across several minor league outfits,
including the Canadian Hockey League, the Southern Professional Hockey League,
and EHL as well. Here's our conversation with Matt Lark
(28:16):
on his background, philosophy and more.
Speaker 7 (28:19):
Well, Matt, thank you for doing this here, and first off,
I want to bring up your background. What did playing
throughout the minor leagues give you as far as perspective
on how these guys operate?
Speaker 8 (28:28):
You know, like the minor.
Speaker 9 (28:29):
Leagues is nothing compared to obviously the NHL, but it
put me through the ring of grinding and out and
you know.
Speaker 8 (28:37):
These coaches work so hard.
Speaker 9 (28:39):
They're here at the rink at five and they're gone
by four or five in the afternoon. So the grinding
part definitely helped me. Operation wise. It's obviously a lot
better here in NHL.
Speaker 7 (28:52):
What would you say makes the biggest difference in between
a player's schedule and the coach's schedule That really goes
into making all this work.
Speaker 9 (29:00):
Know what, we we analyze a lot of video, all
the coaches do, and there's nothing to be missed with
details and video. There's no hiding in a good way.
Or a bad way, so you know, the players really
don't have to worry about that stuff. It's already set
up and cut out from the players once they get here,
and it's seamless from there.
Speaker 7 (29:22):
And I know that we talked about this earlier, and
it's you know, it's understood that coaches, you know, coaching
goes beyond the whole x's and no type of thing.
And this league is the best league in the world
for a reason is because the players are the master.
But they also want to get better here. But they're
also not settling. So what's the one thing that they
have in common? You think when it comes to how
they want to get better, whether it's from shooting or
(29:43):
passing or skating as well.
Speaker 9 (29:45):
I always say, always circle back to the fundamentals. The
best analogy I can use is like an NBA player
never stops shooting free throws, free throws, So you know,
if it's extra reps just to have them feel better
going into the.
Speaker 8 (30:00):
Next game, I'm there for them.
Speaker 9 (30:02):
And obviously it's just maybe pointing out a couple of
different things where uh, you know, just to add more
tools to the toolbox, per se, maybe a different way
of shooting situational, what shot to use. If the pass
is slow, you got a soft catch, change the angle.
If it's a hard pass, you got to stop.
Speaker 8 (30:24):
It and push.
Speaker 9 (30:25):
So it's it's it's small stuff like that. I sound
like a nerd right now, but I really get into it.
Speaker 7 (30:30):
A helpful information here is that we're joining again by
Matt Lark skills coach here for the Seattle Crack and
taking the name out of it here to kind of
remove any kind of trade secret. Talk about all this,
but what's one example of a player who's really taking
the next step as far as leaps and bounds and
what you've had to do and working with that kind
of player?
Speaker 9 (30:47):
Uh, you know, it's the guys that always come out early,
and it's just showing them different things. But I mean,
I could I could pick ten of them, Like, I
never have to bag any of the guys that are
always willing and wanting to come out and get better
no matter what it is.
Speaker 7 (31:02):
When a guy is hurt, how often do you have
to put some guardrails up psychologically versus physically on the
road of recovery.
Speaker 8 (31:10):
So I have a good communication with JR.
Speaker 9 (31:13):
And he pretty much tells me like a timeframe, and
then I'm just watching the player to see if they're
wincing or anything like that. So, lower body injury, like
we're doing a lot of edge work. If it's an
upper body injury, we're doing more skating, less stickhandling, so
on and so forth.
Speaker 7 (31:30):
When you work with those kind of players, how often
is there you know, a talk of you know, because
these players are so hyper focused and getting back in
helping their teammates, but the communication of a slower role,
take your time, use patients here to effectively get back.
Speaker 5 (31:44):
Yeah.
Speaker 9 (31:44):
Absolutely, you know, like their mindset is they're gonna feel
like they are where they were before they got hurt.
That's usually not the case. So like they have to
just start slow and build their self up with progressions,
and then obviously once that happens, I regain their confidence.
Speaker 7 (32:01):
What got you into this business with the idea that
coaching was the right fit for you?
Speaker 8 (32:05):
You know what, I don't dictate ice time, but I'm
here to help the coaches and here to help the
players as well.
Speaker 9 (32:11):
If I can help them get maybe two extra minutes
a night, my job is a success.
Speaker 7 (32:18):
So yeah, what's the one thing that you would tell
yourself back when you were playing, of what it would
take to be able to succeed and reach the NHL level.
Speaker 9 (32:28):
If I knew some of the things that I do now,
I think I'd be a better player, obviously. But that's
why I never cracked it. Yeah, it's just it's it's
great to be here every day and see these guys.
Speaker 8 (32:40):
Put in the work and I enjoy every day. I
don't take a day off and I love it. Matt,
Thank you, Thank you very much.
Speaker 1 (32:48):
All right, big thanks once again to Matt Lark an
incredible story he has shared right now skills consulting for
the Cracking and previously a minor leaguer as a right
winger at thirty seven years of age, now coming out
of a that spans cities such as Fort Wayne, Tulsa,
Rapid City, Bloomington, and Dayton, also SPHL outposts with Mississippi
(33:09):
and Richmond and entrusted now by helping build the skill
set of each and every Cracking player in the dressing room.
Matt Lark joining us. Also, big things once again to
Adam Larson for hanging out with us for a few minutes.
Ian Farness's back with us next right here on Cracking
Weekly on ninety three to three KJRFM. We mentioned this
earlier because after tomorrow night, the crack And just have
(33:30):
two games left, they're both at home, and six days
from now it will be fan appreciation Night when the
Kraken close out the season against the Los Angeles Kings.
Team Awards. I'm on the pageant tree coming up to
finally end the year. So we put this question on
your plate at ex at crack and Audio Net. Who's
your fan favorite here for this year? Is it Joey Decord,
(33:52):
Is it Jared McCann, is it Brandon montor or is
it other? And you get a fill in as well.
Right now, forty three percent of you say Joey Decord
is your fan favorite. Joey Decord clocking into forty three
percent and among the fill ins right now Kevin saying
Shane Wright. I vote continuing right now, ad exit crack
(34:15):
An Audio Net. You can find this show, by the way,
podcasted on the iHeartRadio app again, just search for the
crack and Audio Network. I Mike Ian's back with us
now Ian before we get into matters of looking ahead,
who gets your vote? If you could do this from
the seeds for fan favorite.
Speaker 3 (34:33):
So not an MVP, just a fan favorite. Go for it, Compo, Cocko,
go Copple Coco. I he you know, we talked about
it on the CV broadcast on on Tuesday night with
bretton Allison and myself that you know, I mean, and
I think I think Alison Brett mentioned, you know, the
(34:55):
cracking before Cocko, cracking after Coco, two different teams. Yeah,
and al you mentioned a Alison mentioned Coppocco pre seat
Rangers version and Seattle version, two different types of players
a lot better too. Copo Coco is just down at home.
It's but awesome to see. You know, I'd give an
honorable mention if I'm just talking about how I like,
(35:16):
you know, the player this year, Ellie colvinen leads the
team and hits by a ton, plays physical finish. It
is probably the best finisher on the team. Part of
the pun and uh you know, and obviously he helps
Coco along the way and New Middle on the way
as the veteran Spin rolling into town. So I those
are the guys. I mean, I'm I'm a fan of
the two fins for sure, but Coppo would be if
(35:36):
I'm having to go with a fan favorite. I would
go with Coppo because.
Speaker 1 (35:39):
I don't want to blow up your spot here because
we get to vote for Team MVP and that's going
to get revealed coming up here for this next Tuesday.
But to Allison's point as well, Coppocco, the metrics support
the surface stuff and it's not a question to look
at maybe as Copocaco, can he be a twenty goal
guy this next season, maybe even push fifty points with
(36:01):
Matty benears.
Speaker 3 (36:03):
I'd be disappointed if he's not a twenty gold guy.
And I think he's got to be a sixty point
guy for this team. To be honest with you, I
think I think that's all. I think that's realistic. I
think that's what you expect. He's going to be a
year older, he's in a comfortable spot still a young
guy playing with Maddie and whoever else he's paired with
next year. Yeah, man, I got to think twenty five,
(36:25):
thirty five, twenty twenty forty. He's got a sixty point
guy in my mind.
Speaker 1 (36:29):
Let's get to our mailbag segment here again. Ian joining
us right now on Crack and Weekly, and I pose
this question last night of what's on your mind? The
most from how the cracking played last evening in Utah,
and he and we touched on this just from the
sake if you don't want to dwell on it too
much all the conditions that went in as well. But
we get one question here asking in his own words,
(36:51):
is the tank on because the fourth position in the
lottery is within reach. I would be very careful about
that because number one, Todd light Wickie has said this
is not going to be a rebuild. That's fact. He's
already said so. And I think number two, you have
to be careful as far as what you want out
of this draft from a long term build. It's not
(37:12):
going to be as strong of a draft egan as
we've seen last two, three, four, maybe even five years.
And on top of that as well, this draft day
likely won't be one of where you want to accumulate
a lot here for the future and say where can
these guys be five years down the road? But how
(37:33):
much transaction activity is going to be going down here
for this team as they can build for the now.
Speaker 3 (37:41):
Yeah, they're not thanking, that's not how they think. That's
now athletes think, and can you know I would just
listen it'd be great to have an aircraft carrier and
a franchise, a young franchise caliber player like a Maxlum
celebrity or Colin Connor Badard. But look where those teams are.
They're both below Seattle and the standings, right, So those
(38:01):
are long term rebuild, long term issues that those teams
have that they got to deal with. And I don't
know or I don't see that being Seattle in any way,
shape or form. So yeah, no, that's that's not something
they're looking at or going to do or anything like that.
You know, what they're looking at is simple. I mean,
it's it's all those draft picks. Francis has said before
(38:24):
he's not using him because I could use all those
draft picks and and he's gonna you know, they're gonna
listen those two days in the draft and free agency
begins and all that that period of time it's critical,
it's crucial. It's also going to be really really busy,
I think for the Seattle crack. And like I said,
(38:44):
it's a very open, it's a very tough, very challenging offseason,
and Ron France is in his staff have to take
that next step and I you know, I think they will.
I've got confidence they're gona able toccomplish what they need
to accomplish and get this team back to where it
needs to be, and that's back in the scalely coup layoffs.
Speaker 1 (38:57):
We get one reaction here from JR W one six
nine at X saying he's questioning how people can look
at the roster and performance and think that this is
a roster just a move or two away from contention,
and that this isn't a rebuild. Here where I look
at this team from where they are built. You are
(39:18):
great with goalie one A. You have arguably defensively one
of the better decours in the entire league. Montour is
a real deal. Vince Dunn's a real deal. Adam Larsen
the real deal. We're seeing very defensive play now at
A Jamie alexiak Ryker Evans has had his ups and downs,
but he's got a long, long road ahead, and we
(39:39):
know defensemen have a longer curve for improvement in tracking
as compared to Fords as well. Then the forward part
of this, Shane Wright's erupted. Matty Beniers is getting there
once again. He's going to be a great, great top
six guy. For a Cup contender, Chandler Stevenson point total
(40:00):
in Vegas, Ellie Tolbenen twenty gold guy, Jaden Schwartz, twenty
gold guy. There's McCann, there's Cocko. So as of right now,
from what I see this Ian we touched on this.
You add a big piece, an aircraft carrier, that's setting
yourself up potentially for a big, big upgrade.
Speaker 3 (40:20):
Yeah, listen, if you're the person saying that they should
tear it down or they're in the middle of a rebuild,
you're just not paying attention. You're just you's not like
it's it's a first of all, it's a dumb word,
to be honest with you, in sports, it's just a
dumb word. If people use it all the time, and
he'sn't all sports. You know, we hear I hear it
all the time locally with the NFL team. Like, like,
(40:42):
first of all, I always say, like, define what a
rebuild is. Do that for me, because you know when
you're rebuilding. You know, in the NFL, for example, you're
coming off a two or three win season and you
probably don't have a quarterback, and you don't have any
core pieces. That's very few key in the NFL that
are down that road, like if if, if you're the
(41:05):
in the NHL. You just talked about it, the most
important commodity is a center iceman. Well, they're set down
the middle. They're they're completely set down the middle between
Vaneer's right, Stevenson one, two three. You know, I don't
know how how many more times we can say that.
We said that on this podcast Mike or the show
(41:26):
a number of times.
Speaker 1 (41:27):
And here's the thing, Gan right is still is still
a ways away from peaking away.
Speaker 3 (41:32):
He's twenty he's twenty one years old. Like their core pieces,
a lot of their not a lot of their core
pieces are our kids, Vaneers, Coppo Cocko, Shane Wright. You
go down that list, right, you know, I mean it's
it's these guys are all young players. And then you know,
(41:53):
I first of all, you've got a really strong you know,
let's say five guys you know and who knows what
happens you know with let's just go through it. I
mean dark Larson and Dunne. That's a great top pair.
If you go number two, I mean, Rikers only play.
This is rikers first full year for being honest, aren't
we like let's be honest, he didn't play. What did
(42:15):
you play last year, Mike thirty, How many games did
you play last year?
Speaker 5 (42:19):
Last year?
Speaker 3 (42:20):
Okay, yeah, so Riker and Montour one, two, three, four,
Alexia a piece five or a piece four, it doesn't matter.
That's a really good four or five. And then you
pair him with whatever you want to do. If you
want to have Kale flurry back to the right shot,
you want to have Mahura, who's been a really solid
player back, well, then I like that that those three
pairs pretty good goalie one a uh, you mentioned Chandler Stevens.
(42:42):
This is a game where people are stupid, like, look
at his numbers. You mentioned the same numbers as Vegas.
He has put together a hell of a season quietly
because he's not a splashy guy. Best passer in the league, specifically,
the best passer in the league connects on more passes
at a higher rate than anybody in the NAH. You know,
that's an elite player. Get him a finisher on the side.
(43:03):
You know, Jared McCann took a gift this year, But
I'll give Jared mccannon a little bit of a break.
They asked him to do a lot, see a lot.
He's playing just he's playing all over the place. Man.
The guy is a warrior. He bought five block shots
the other night, like lean score it five block shots.
(43:24):
They have to add some pieces. But when you say rebuild,
I'm like, rebuild, what are you getting rid of them?
On tour? In Stevens's contracts? Are you getting rid of
of Shane Wright at the age of twenty one? And
Matty Veneer's You know you're not going to resign compo
cocko or you're gonna let on Ellie Pulman walk. What
are we doing? You know, Yanni Newman's gonna be here
(43:44):
next year. You know, I'm really excited watch Janny Newman
in the Cold Cup playoffs to see what he does
the NHL experience, you know, with that NHL experience and
that confidence, he's gonna have you watch what that kid
does in the NHL player in the Calder Cup playoffs.
And by the way, I'll a lot more bite and
edge to his game than people thought too. With Janny Newman,
(44:04):
I mean when he's telling off rand Alist Pederson, You
and me like when he's mouthing that to him, that
guy's got a little bit of fight. And I was
talking to remember the hockey operations staff the other day.
They're staying we kind of thought he had that, but
weren't really sure. And then we sawt in Vancouver, like, okay, good,
like plays big Berkeley Catton. You know, can to count
(44:25):
on him. He gonna get the start of the season
next year. Ron Francis is already on record saying that
there's a lot to be excited about. They just have
to make those two or remove the offseason to improve
this team.
Speaker 1 (44:34):
I did want to get to that, and that's a
great segue because on the prospect side, Andre Losco signed
out of the OHL, Nathan vill Nev signed out of
the OHL, two players who have done some damage in
Major Junior Ian vill Nev in particular is the case
I can't wait to keep following. He can play, but
he's nasty, just a bracing in your face, love to hit,
(44:58):
love to chirp falls a ka Chuck Brothers. I know
we're a long way away here. I want to be
careful of this, but if he can put it all together,
it make the NHL. This could be a guy who
helps change the game for this team and their complexion
and then we get to Berkeley Catton as well, spoke
(45:19):
and sees Victoria in the second round and Berkeley Catton
fourteen points in five playoff games. That's obscene. This isn't
just a Ford on a mission. He's a heat seeking missile.
Speaker 3 (45:32):
Well, he can't play, he can't play with Dad next year.
It just doesn't help him right at this point. So
you know he's going to be here more than likely
a good chunk of the year. Probably load him out
for World Juniors and then let him come back, and
you know they'll ease him into the lineup. I wouldn't
expect too much. Villanu is a guy that gives them
bite the heat a couple of years away, probably, But
I do like I like his game. He's got enough
(45:55):
skill with thirty four goals this season, I think seventy
points and he got fight the game. He's definitely got
an edge and they need more of that. I mean,
it can't just be you know, Ty Carr James. You
know he's fighting out of his weight class the other night,
and you know, I give him all the threat in
the world, but it can't just be high running around,
hitting people, trying to.
Speaker 5 (46:13):
Set the doll.
Speaker 3 (46:14):
I think you resigned mikey At. I think we all
like the team with his game so far, so I
think if you resign him, that works well. But yeah,
I think there's a lot of things you can be
excited about, for sure.
Speaker 1 (46:24):
Big shout out here, by the way, on the prospects side,
the ever of Silvertips get the Portland winter Hawks for
seven games that series open Friday, or we'll open Friday.
Three cracking prospects in that series, Kate and Hammeld, Julius
miettn and on the Silvertip side, Tyson Jugnath on the
winter Hawks side. Before we go, let's look ahead of
he in Vegas tomorrow and we'll see if Grubauer starts
(46:46):
with Victor Osman back in the American Hockey League. But
I would love to see a clean game from the
box and a clean game from the first five minutes.
Jack Eigel reportedly day to day, Ian, what's on your
mind for Vegas tomorrow?
Speaker 3 (47:02):
You know, I think i'd like, I guess, the one
thing I'd like to see, I'd like to see Ellie's
Holden get a chance in the power play in the
final three games. I mean, he's you know, he's a
twenty goal scorer for a good junk of the year,
your leading goal scorer, and he hasn't played on the
power play. I'd like to see me a chance there.
Speaker 5 (47:16):
All right.
Speaker 1 (47:16):
Cracking in Vegas tomorrow seven o'clock puck drops, six thirty airtime.
Ian back on the desk once again as we close
out the TV side. By the way, my man, you
did a fantastic job all year long. This is our
last conversation before you guys can drop the curtain on
the TV side of things, before the Kings come in
and that's a national game. But fantastic work once again. Man,
(47:37):
you deserve this.
Speaker 5 (47:38):
Proud of you.
Speaker 3 (47:39):
I appreciate. I appreciate, Mike, Thank you.
Speaker 1 (47:41):
All right, Thank you again. Cracking in Vegas tomorrow on
air for the radio side, also on the Emerald Queen
Casino Crack at Audio Network at six thirty. Then Saturday
against Saint Louis. Next Tuesday, the season wrapping up against
the Los Angeles Kings. Will be here for you big
thanks again to Adam Larsen Skills consultant Matt Laura Ian
for hanging out with us. Talk soon again. I'm Mike Benton,
(48:04):
Thanks for hanging out with us on Cracking Weekly on
ninety three three KJRFM.
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