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Kraken Breakdown: The impact of Seattle’s top 4 offseason additions

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2 years ago

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Kraken Breakdown: The impact of Seattle’s top 4 offseason additions


The Kraken completed off a season-long, six-game homestand Wednesday with a loopy 8-5 win in opposition to the San Jose Sharks. They completed the homestand with a 4-1-1 report which lifted them to second within the Pacific Division as they put together for a Friday night time take a look at in opposition to the first-place Vegas Golden Knights.

What’s permitting Seattle Kraken to have success in OT, shut video games?

Seattle has began robust and the enhancements over final season are apparent. A lot of that enchancment got here from the additions they made this summer season, each via free company and trades.

The brand new additions have all paid off to this point and are contributing to the Kraken’s early success. Right here’s a take a look at the brand new guys and the way they’ve helped.

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Martin Jones, goalie

Signed to a one-year, $2 million contract this previous summer season, Jones was to be a stopgap to fill in for Chris Driedger, who injured his knee on the IIHF and is anticipated to be out long-term.

Jones, 32, was previously the starter in San Jose however had fallen out of favor with the Sharks and was relegated to the backup spot in Philadelphia final season. Seems he simply could be the Kraken MVP for the primary quarter of the season.

Compelled into the No. 1 goalie place due to an harm to Philipp Grubauer, Jones has performed higher than anybody anticipated.

To this point with Seattle, he’s appeared in 16 video games, beginning 15 of them, whereas having a 10-4-2 report, 2.49 goals-against common and a .906 save proportion. He was simply named one of many NHL stars of the week, and it’s exhausting to think about the place the Kraken can be with out him.

He seems to be just like the Jones of previous who led the Sharks to the Stanley Cup Closing in 2016. For no matter motive, he has discovered the fountain of youth in Seattle and the Kraken are reaping the rewards.

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Jones performs a really regular objective with nice positioning and an economic system of movement. He hardly ever seems to be rattled, even when there’s a scramble in entrance of him. His calmness in web has influenced the skaters, who’re rapidly gaining confidence in him.

With Grubuaer now again and accessible it will likely be fascinating how coach Dave Hakstol handles the goalie rotation. Jones has been the starter within the two video games that Grubauer has been again for. With a three-game street journey in opposition to division opponents beginning, count on Jones to be entrance and middle.

Andre Burakovsky, ahead

After handing over a profession season in 2021-22 for the Colorado Avalanche with 22 targets and 61 factors, Burakovsky was a lovely free-agent goal for the Kraken this summer season.

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They landed the 27-year-old from Sweden, who’s the proprietor of two Stanley Cup rings, signing him to a five-year, $5.5 million deal. To this point, it’s been a terrific match.

“I be ok with being right here,” Burakovsky stated final week at observe. “I prefer it so much, the group is nice, we’re profitable video games. I be ok with my sport and like the place we’re dwelling now, it’s good.”

The sensation is mutual and Burakovsky has delivered. By the primary 19 video games, he leads the Kraken in scoring with 18 factors on 5 targets and 13 assists. He’s been one of many massive causes that Seattle has been higher offensively this season.

Objectives and assists have helped, however he’s been a play driver, and with Burakovsky on the ice at 5-on-5 the Kraken have taken 52.48% of the shot makes an attempt. His earlier stops with Colorado and the Washington Capitals have seen him play behind a number of the NHL’s largest superstars. He’s not satisfied you want superstars to win.

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“I believe we’ve sort of proved that we don’t have to have that,” Burakovsky stated. “Our power on this group is that we’re a very deep group and we’ve 4 traces that may win any matchup they’re taking part in, and so we’ve simply proved it.”

The Kraken hope they will hold profitable with no famous person.

Oliver Bjorkstrand, ahead

In one of many extra savvy trades that basic supervisor Ron Francis has pulled off to this point in his tenure, he was capable of leverage cap house and commerce belongings to pry Bjorkstrand out of Columbus for only a third- and fourth-round draft decide this July.

Bjorstrand is an offensive risk and might shoot from all over the place on the ice.

He has had dangerous luck, hitting a number of posts, which have restricted him to only a pair of targets to this point. However that sluggish begin in scoring has not stopped Bjorkstrand from being part of the Kraken assault.

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Bjorkstrand has assisted on eight targets and been a puck possession monster, and the Kraken have taken 54.88% p.c of the 5-on-5 shot makes an attempt when he’s been on the ice. Protected to say that Seattle is pushing the tempo when Bjorkstrand is out for a shift.

The scoring will come, and his fairly backhanded objective Wednesday might be what breaks the dam and will get him going.

Justin Schultz, protection

Maybe a signing that was considerably missed, the Kraken added the veteran Schultz on a two-year, $2 million contract this summer season with hopes the 32-year-old would bolster the group’s energy play.

The facility play has improved however Schultz’s presence has had an even bigger impression. He’s an offensive-minded defenseman who has scored thrice and is second amongst Kraken defensemen in scoring with 11 factors to this point.

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Taking part in near dwelling, Kraken newcomer Justin Schultz developing massive

“It’s been good for guys. All of us get alongside rather well,” Schultz stated. “We’ve chemistry and having enjoyable proper now – every little thing’s enjoyable whenever you’re profitable, proper? So we’ve simply received to attempt to hold this going. Seattle’s been superior so I’m having fun with it.”

When his defensive companion, Jamie Oleksiak, received damage in early November, Schultz was the man who performed with Cale Fleury and AHL call-up Gustav Olofsson, which allowed Hakstol to keep away from scrambling his pairings. There was little to no distinction in how Seattle performed defensively.

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Schultz has slot in properly and a few of which may be as a consequence of his familiarity with many Kraken. Having beforehand performed in Edmonton, Pittsburgh and Washington, he had already performed with a number of guys on the Kraken roster.

“Washington and Pittsburgh, once I received traded there, I didn’t know anybody,” Schultz stated. “That’s so much totally different right here, I knew a bunch of men really so made it simpler to come back in. Like my spouse, she knew these guys’ important others and made it simple on all of us.”

Kraken star Jared McCann on Seattle’s Yr 2 success, confidence

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Seattle, WA

Seattle Public Schools official scraps plan to close schools

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3 hours ago

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November 26, 2024

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Seattle Public Schools official scraps plan to close schools


In a letter to parents, teachers and staff sent Monday, Seattle Public Schools (SPS) Superintendent Brent Jones announced the school district will not close or consolidate schools for the 2025-26 academic year.

Jones wrote in his letter that he plans to withdraw his preliminary proposal to the Seattle School Board to close four schools.

In his letter, which has been republished in full on the Seattle’s Child website, Jones noted the Seattle School Board had directed him to come up with a plan for closures and consolidations to “address enrollment declines, budgetary challenges, stabilizing programs and services.” Jones and the district will not move in that direction.

“After much deliberation, reflection, and engagement with our community, it is clear there is no longer a pathway for this approach for the 2025-26 school year,” Jones wrote. “I am withdrawing my preliminary recommendation, and we will not pursue school closures and consolidations for the upcoming school year. The Board will vote Tuesday to formally approve this direction.”

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Jones explained this latest decision “was not made lightly and reflects the Board and my shared priority: the needs and well-being of our students, families, and community.” The decision allows those involved look at the situation more and “thoughtfully determine” the next steps.

“The projected $5.5 million savings from the proposed closures are significant,” Jones wrote. “However, we agree that achieving these savings should not come at the cost of dividing our community.”

The superintendent went on to state in the letter the district will address the budget shortfall that exists through “legislative and levy renewal advocacy, as well as pursuing operational efficiencies aligned with our shared values and priorities.”

They came to America looking for better lives — and better schools: The results were mixed

Why the Seattle School Board considered closing schools

Earlier this year, SPS stated it is contending with a $104 million budget shortfall. Therefore, the district came up with two different options earlier this fall to close the gap in funds.

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The first option is to operate 52 attendance-area elementary schools, closing 21 elementary and K-8 schools. This option would have saved SPS 31.5 million.

In the second option, the district would operate 56 schools, including attendance-area elementary and one K-8 school per region, closing 17 schools. This second option would have saved SPS $25.5 million.

“Many of our schools are struggling to provide the resources our students deserve,” the district wrote in a statement at that time. “To address this, we are working to ensure our schools are the right size and have the resources needed for preschool through 5th-grade students to succeed.”

As the fall went on, SPS plan went from as many as 21 schools closing all the way down to four closing and consolidating with four others. Four schools — one each in the Northwest Northeast, Central and Southwest regions — were announced as the places of learning set to shut down. They were announced as the following:

  • North Beach Elementary, consolidating with Viewlands Elementary at Viewlands.
  • Sacajawea Elementary, consolidating with John Rogers Elementary at John Rogers.
  • Stevens Elementary, consolidating with Montlake Elementary at Montlake.
  • Sansilo Elementary, consolidating with Highland Park Elementary at Highland Park.

“We understand this change is difficult,” SPS stated on its website at the time. “We chose these schools based on factors like building condition, space, and the goal of minimizing disruption to students and families.”

Protests from parents within the district soon followed, including one late last month outside Sacajawea Elementary.

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All four of Joshua Newman’s children attended or are currently enrolled at Sacajawea. He said both state and district school leaders need to balance their budgets better.

“The district needs to look at its own operations and its own administrative costs and not lay the burden on where, frankly, the value is actually added and that’s the teachers, and by the individual principals and staff who are involved in the kids’ lives,” Newman said to KIRO Newsradio.

Rachel Kubiak and her child showed up at the rally as well. They illustrated how closing the school would close a part of their community and their lives.

“We’re really sad. When we heard the news, I was texting with my husband and just — I’m crushed,” she said to KIRO 7.

From left, Seattle Public Schools Superintendent Brent Jones, Ph.D., and Seattle School Board President Liza Rankin are seen in recent images. (Photos courtesy of Seattle Public Schools)

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Last week, Jones shared a key update about the potential school closures, explaining the district was canceling prescheduled community meetings at the schools set to close.

“We are doing so as the board has decided to delay the December closure and consolidation hearings, in part based on important input from families that we all value,” Jones wrote in his statement available on  SPS’ website. “As a result, I am considering withdrawing my earlier recommendations for closure and consolidation.”

Contributing: Julia Dallas, MyNorthwest; Luke Duecy, KIRO Newsradio

Steve Coogan is the lead editor of MyNorthwest. You can read more of his stories here. Follow Steve on X, or email him here.

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Seattle, WA

Uchenna Nwosu Returning To Practice & Other News From Mike Macdonald’s Press Conference

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11 hours ago

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November 25, 2024

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Uchenna Nwosu Returning To Practice & Other News From Mike Macdonald’s Press Conference


Seahawks will “take a long look at “Sataoa Laumea” following Anthony Bradford’s injury.

Starting right guard exited Sunday’s game with an ankle injury, and after the game Macdonald said Anthony Bradford will likely miss at least this week’s game. And while Christian Haynes, who took over for Bradford after the injury, would seem the likely candidate to take over, especially considering he split reps at that spot with Bradford earlier this season, Macdonald said the Seahawks will also look at another member of the 2024 draft class, sixth-round pick Sataoa Laumea.

“Sataoa is someone we’re going to take a long look at as well,” Macdonald said when asked about Haynes in that role. “But Christian played winning football for us, but we want him to grow. Keep growing man, you’ve got to go prove it every week on the practice field and in preparation. But right now, he deserves all the credit for being a guy that was rotating in, then AB took over, he still prepared, knew all the things that we—no mentals on the day, but some technique stuff we’ve got to get cleaned up. But overall, good enough to win the game, so, happy with his ability to step in and help us win the football game.”

Asked about Laumea’s rookie campaign so far, Macdonald said, “Just a guy who continues to work his craft and take it day by day. He can play both left and right guard. Just a guy we were really excited about bringing him in, and then to see his approach every day, and now that he gets an opportunity, it’s another example of, ‘Hey, what are you going to do with it? Go to work.’”



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Former Seattle Mariners Lefty Yusei Kikuchi Signs with Division-Rival Angels

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19 hours ago

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November 25, 2024

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Former Seattle Mariners Lefty Yusei Kikuchi Signs with Division-Rival Angels


Former Seattle Mariners left-hander Yusei Kikuchi has signed a three-year deal with the M’s division rivals, the Los Angeles Angels.

Jon Heyman of the New York Post had the news on Monday morning. It’s a three-year deal worth $63 million.

The move continues the spending spree for Los Angeles, who finished last in the American League West last season. In addition to Kikuchi, they’ve added Jorge Soler, Travis d’Arnaud, Kevin Newman, Scott Kingery and Kyle Hendricks this offseason.

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Kikuchi reportedly had a strong market this offseason, which isn’t surprising considering that he made 32 starts last season, showing a level of dependability. He also made 32 in 2023 with the Toronto Blue Jays. Furthermore, after a mid-season trade from Toronto to Houston in 2024, he went 5-1 with a 2.70 ERA. He struck out 206 total batters for the year in 175.2 innings, flashing elite level stuff. He has a mid-90s fastball and a wipeout slider. He helped the Astros upend the Mariners in the West and get to the playoffs, where they were beaten by the Detroit Tigers in the wild card round.

Kikuchi spent three years with the Mariners after coming over from Japan, going 15-24 in his tenure. One of the more frustrating pitchers in recent M’s memory, he failed to be consistent. He made the All-Star Game with Seattle in 2021 but didn’t even finish the year in the rotation that season. He opted for free agency after the 2021 season, a move that has served him well financially.

Continue to follow our Inside the Mariners coverage on social media by liking us on Facebook and by following Teren Kowatsch and Brady Farkas on “X” @Teren_Kowatsch and @wdevradiobrady. You can subscribe to the “Refuse to Lose” podcast by clicking HERE:





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