Jessica: If you think Joey Daccord is a lock for opening night against Calgary, think again. We’re looking at four goalies, eleven centers, and a roster so deep it might break the salary cap before October even starts.
Mark: It’s not just about who starts; it’s about who survives the first month of grind. From Shane Wright’s goal-scoring promise to the defensive pairings, every inch of this ice has competition written all over it.
Jessica: Welcome back to the Beatline Podcast Network, your daily dose of hockey truth. I’m Jessica, and alongside me is Mark. Today is a pure roster battles episode. No distractions, no NHL 27 facial scans—we’re talking about who wears the jersey on October second.
Mark: That’s right. We’ve got three segments today. First, we tackle the goalie controversy head-on. Then, we dive into that massive center depth chart that had us talking for days. And finally, we predict who gets sent down to make room for the regular season.
Jessica: And remember, last week we said Joey Daccord would start against Calgary. Well, things have shifted. Let’s get into Segment One: The Crease.
Jessica: Okay, let’s address the elephant in the room. You guys predicted Daccord would start against Calgary. But looking at the roster list, Matt Murray is here. Nikke Kokko is here. Victor Ostman is here. Philipp Grubauer is here. That’s five goalies listed on the active roster file. How do you pick one starter?
Mark: First off, let’s clarify the count. We have Joey Daccord, Philipp Grubauer, Nikke Kokko, Matt Murray, and Victor Ostman. Five names. But in terms of actual NHL readiness for an opener, it’s really between Daccord and Murray. Grubauer brings veteran stability, but he’s coming off a contract year vibe. Daccord has been the face of the crease since the inception.
Jessica: But Mark, look at the trajectory. Daccord had his moments, sure. But Matt Murray? He’s won a Cup. He’s proven he can handle the pressure. If Steve Yzerman wants a winner on opening night, why isn’t Murray the clear choice? It feels like we’re sticking with the past rather than betting on the present.
Mark: I hear you, but let’s talk about the defensive structure around them. Ryan Lindgren and Adam Larsson are anchoring the blue line. They need a goalie who plays the angles perfectly. Daccord knows the system better. He’s been in the film room with these guys for two seasons. Murray has to learn the specific zone entries and neutral-zone traps Seattle runs. That chemistry takes time.
Jessica: So you’re saying experience within the system beats raw talent? That’s a bold take. Because when you look at the Pacific Division standings, Seattle is currently sitting first. They don’t need to prove they can win; they need to prove they can sustain it. If Daccord gives up a soft goal in the first period, does he lose the job immediately?
Mark: Not immediately. But in the modern NHL, patience is thin. However, consider the workload. If Daccord starts, he carries the mental load. If Murray starts, he has to be perfect from puck drop. I think Yzerman will go with Daccord for the opener because it’s safer. But watch closely: if Grubauer or Murray steals the show in camp, the narrative flips by Week Two.
Jessica: I’m still not sold. I feel like Matt Murray is sleeping on the bench too much. He’s ready. He’s hungry. Putting him behind Daccord feels like a mistake if the goal is playoff contention. But okay, let’s pivot. Even if Daccord starts, what about the rest? Where do Kokko and Ostman fit?
Mark: Kokko and Ostman are development players. They’re likely going to AHL time. Grubauer is the swing guy. If Daccord struggles, Grubauer comes in. If both struggle, then you’re making a panic move. For now, it’s Daccord vs. Murray for the starting gig, and everyone else is fighting for the backup role.
Jessica: Alright, I’ll concede that Daccord has the system advantage. But I’m keeping my eye on Murray. If he outshines Daccord in the first three games, I’m calling for the change. Now, let’s move to Segment Two. The Center Ice War. This is where the Kraken have more bodies than any team in the league.
Jessica: We’re talking about eleven centers. Matty Beniers, Chandler Stephenson, Jared McCann—who’s actually left wing, but we’ll get to that—Berkly Catton, Frederick Gaudreau, Bobby McMann, Ben Meyers, Logan Morrison, Oscar Fisker Molgaard, Ryan Winterton, Curtis Douglas, and Shane Wright. Eleven names. Who makes the team?
Mark: This is fascinating. You have your top six locked in: Beniers, Stephenson, McCann, Gaudreau, Catton, and Wright. That’s six centers. Then you have depth pieces like McMann, Meyers, and Morrison. But wait, McCann is listed as LW on some charts, which opens up a center spot. So really, it’s Beniers, Stephenson, Gaudreau, Catton, Wright, and one open seat.
Jessica: Exactly! And that’s where it gets messy. McMann is physical. Meyers is fast. Morrison has size. And then you have Shane Wright. Last week we predicted he’d score thirty goals. Do you still stand by that with this much competition eating into his ice time?
Mark: I absolutely stand by it. Thirty goals is realistic. Why? Because he’s playing on a line with Jared McCann and Jordan Eberle. Even if he’s not the #1 center, he’s getting prime power-play minutes. His shot release is elite. Competition for the fourth-line spot doesn’t hurt his scoring chances; it helps him stay sharp. He doesn’t need to play twenty minutes a night to hit thirty goals.
Jessica: That’s a good point. If he’s on the top line, he’s getting looked at less by defenders. But what about the bottom six? Who gets cut? Curtis Douglas? Ryan Winterton? These are guys who spent years grinding in the minors. Does their tenure protect them?
Mark: Tenure matters, but performance matters more. In preseason, coaches want speed and versatility. Winterton is reliable, but Douglas has that edge. I think Meyers and Morrison are the favorites to make the final cut because they offer different tools. Meyers can kill penalties, Morrison can board battle. You need both traits for a playoff run.
Jessica: So Meyers and Morrison survive. Douglas and Winterton go to the AHL. What about the wings? We have Kaapo Kakko, Jacob Melanson, Jani Nyman, Mackie Samoskevich, and Vince Dunn—wait, Dunn is a defenseman, don’t get confused. But looking at the right wings, Kakko is the question mark. Is he still a top-six threat?
Mark: Kakko is the biggest X-factor. If he clicks with Beniers, he’s a 25-goal winger. If he doesn’t, he’s a third-line grinder. Melanson and Samoskevich are younger, energy guys. Nyman is a specialist. I think Kakko makes the team because the Kraken need his size on the forecheck. Without him, the neutral-zone play suffers.
Jessica: Agreed. Kakko has to step up. If he’s passive, the whole lineup shifts. Now, let’s talk defense. Pairing up. Dunn and Montour are the big guns. Lindgren and Larsson are the shutdown guys. Evans and Fleury are the young legs. Mahura is the wild card. Who’s the sixth defenseman?
Mark: Joshua Mahura. He’s versatile, he can play both sides, and he’s comfortable in the defensive zone. Evans is great offensively, but Mahura’s two-way game fits the playoff style better. Fleury is a strong alternate. So Mahura makes the club, Evans and Fleury fight for the seventh spot or AHL duty.
Jessica: Mahura it is. Okay, we’ve talked about who stays. Now Segment Three: The Cuts. Who’s trending down? Who’s trending up? And who’s getting the axe before the opener?
Jessica: Let’s start with the cuts. Based on our analysis, who is most likely to be shipped out or sent down to Tacoma on October first? Name names.
Mark: I’m going with Ryan Winterton and Curtis Douglas. They’re both centers, and with Beniers, Stephenson, Gaudreau, Catton, Wright, McMann, and Meyers in the mix, there’s simply no room. Winterton’s contract is up, and Douglas is a prospect. Neither offers the immediate impact needed for a team projected to hit 95 points.
Jessica: I agree on Winterton. He’s been here forever, but the game moves faster now. Douglas is tougher to cut because he’s a fan favorite, but logically, he doesn’t fit the speed profile. What about the goalies? Is Matt Murray trending up?
Mark: Murray is definitely trending up. Every save he makes in camp pushes Daccord closer to the hot seat. Daccord isn’t trending down yet, but he’s on thin ice. If he allows two goals in the first ten minutes of the opener, that’s it. The momentum shifts instantly.
Jessica: Daccord needs to be sharp. Now, who is trending up overall? Besides Matt Murray, who is the sleeper star of training camp?
Mark: Ben Meyers. He’s small, but he’s fast. He’s winning faceoffs, killing penalties, and creating odd-man rushes. If he keeps this up, he’s locking in the eighth-center spot. Also, Joshua Mahura. He’s quiet, steady, and makes the hard plays look easy. Defensemen who can transition the puck are gold in this league.
Jessica: Meyers and Mahura. Solid picks. Okay, we’re wrapping up our breakdown. Before we sign off, I want to ask you something directly. We spend hours analyzing these rosters, breaking down the stats, watching the tape, and giving you this detailed preview so you’re ready for opening night. It’s free for you, but it costs us time and resources to keep this daily coverage going.
Mark: We love doing this work. We love digging into the Kraken’s depth chart and predicting who makes the cut. If you’ve found value in our analysis—if you feel more prepared for the season because of what we cover—we’d be incredibly grateful if you considered supporting us.
Jessica: Yes, please. Your support keeps this show free and daily. It helps us bring you the same level of detail and passion every single day. If you can, please check out the link in the episode description to chip in. Even a small contribution makes a huge difference for us.
Mark: Thank you so much. It means the world to us. Alright, Jessica, let’s recap. We’re betting on Daccord to start, but Murray is lurking. Beniers and Wright lead the offense. Meyers and Mahura are the sleepers. And Winterton is likely headed to the AHL.
Jessica: Right. We still stand by our prediction: Seattle secures the second wild card spot with 95 to 100 points. And Shane Wright? Still on track for thirty goals. Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review us wherever you listen. Share this with a fellow Kraken fan. Go Kraken!