Jessica: Eleven centers. A goalie battle that could decide the season before puck drop. And yes, we are still number one in the Pacific despite having played exactly zero games. If you think that’s crazy, wait until you hear what our fans have to say about it.
Mark: It is a lot of bodies, Jessica. But when you look at the structure, specifically with Matt Murray stepping into the crease alongside Joey Daccord, and Shane Wright pushing for thirty-goal pace, the depth chart tells a very specific story about Seattle's ceiling this year.
Jessica: Welcome back to the Beatline Podcast Network! I’m Jessica, and joining me as always is Mark. We are kicking off mailbag Wednesday by diving straight into your questions about the Kraken’s preseason roster construction. Today we’ve got three segments: first, we’re tackling the big-picture questions about the Pacific Division lead; second, we’re breaking down the center competition and the netminder situation; and finally, we’re doing a lightning round on some fun hypotheticals. Let’s get right into the inbox.
Mark: We mentioned yesterday how strange it feels to be sitting atop the standings with an 0-0-0 record, but the metrics don’t lie. The defensive pairings with Dunn, Montour, and Larsson provide a floor that most teams in this division simply can't match yet. So let’s see if the fans agree with that assessment.
Jessica: Okay, let’s start with a question from Sarah in Everett who asks: 'With the Kraken currently holding first place in the Pacific Division, is this just a placeholder ranking based on projected talent, or do you really believe Seattle has the structural advantage over Vancouver and Edmonton right now?' Mark, you’ve been vocal about this. Is it real?
Mark: I think it’s real, Sarah. And I know that sounds bold when you haven’t played a game. But look at the defensive zone exits. With Adam Larsson anchoring the back end and Brandon Montour moving the puck up ice efficiently, Seattle’s neutral-zone play is structured differently than Vancouver’s or Edmonton’s right now. It’s not about wins yet; it’s about possession metrics in practice scenarios and lineup stability. The infrastructure is there.
Jessica: That’s a strong take. So you’re saying the system is ahead of the schedule? Let’s bring in another voice here. Marcus in Tacoma asks: 'How does the Kraken’s current center depth compare to their rivals in the division? Do you think having eleven centers is a strength or a liability during camp?' This ties directly into what we talked about regarding Shane Wright.
Mark: It’s definitely a strength, Marcus, though it creates internal competition. You have Matty Beniers leading the charge, but then you’ve got Chandler Stephenson bringing experience, Frederick Gaudreau’s two-way play, and frankly, the sheer volume of young talent like Ryden Evers and Oscar Fisker Molgaard. Most teams in the Pacific are thin on center depth. Seattle has options. The risk is chemistry—too many mouths to feed—but the upside is unmatched.
Jessica: Right, and we’ve seen before that too much competition can sometimes stall momentum, but with a coach who values versatility, having guys like Bobby McMann and Logan Morrison ready to slide in makes them incredibly tough to break down defensively. Let’s hit the next question from @KrakenFan88 who wants to know: 'Is the upcoming matchup against the Canucks on September 20th going to be the true test of this new depth, or is it just another preseason exhibition?' How do you view that date?
Mark: Preseason games are tricky. They’re often about evaluating bottom-six forwards and seeing how the third pairing handles pressure. But against Vancouver? That rivalry adds intensity. Even if it’s a pre-game state, the physicality will be higher. I expect to see more aggressive forechecking from both sides. It won’t tell us everything, but it’ll show us who’s willing to compete physically early on. I’d watch how Jared McCann and Jordan Eberle handle their assignments against Vancouver’s defensemen.
Jessica: Exactly. It’s about energy levels. If Seattle comes out flat, that’s a red flag. If they match the Canucks’ grit, that’s a green light. Alright, shifting gears now. We have a massive topic looming: the goalie situation. We’ve predicted all week that Joey Daccord might start on opening night, but things change in camp. Let’s dive into Segment Two.
Jessica: Our first question here comes from Emily in Bellevue: 'Everyone keeps talking about Joey Daccord vs. Matt Murray, but where does Philipp Grubauer fit in? Is he completely out of the picture for the starting role, or is he a viable trade asset given his contract and performance history?' Mark, break down the netminder hierarchy for us.
Mark: Grubauer is certainly in a different spot than he was last year, Emily. When Daccord and Murray are both healthy and performing, Grubauer becomes the odd man out for the top two spots. He’s a veteran presence, sure, but if the goal is to win now, you need the hot hand. Right now, Daccord has shown consistency, and Murray brings that elite upside we discussed previously. Grubauer’s value is likely highest on the trade market rather than as a starter, unless injuries strike.
Jessica: So he’s potentially movable? That opens up cap space or assets. Let’s keep going on the goalie front. David in Portland asks: 'If Matt Murray takes the reins, how does that change the defensive structure? Does he need more protection in front of the net compared to Daccord?' This is a tactical question, so I want your best analysis here.
Mark: Great question, David. Murray tends to prefer a bit more space to read plays, whereas Daccord is great at cutting angles aggressively. If Murray starts, you absolutely need better gap control from the defensemen—Larsson and Evans need to be tighter in the neutral zone to prevent high-danger chances from developing. It’s less about blocking shots and more about limiting rebounds and controlling the perimeter. The defensive pairings would need to adjust their zone entries to support him.
Jessica: That makes sense. Tighter gaps, better transition support. Now, let’s talk about the centers again because the inbox is flooded with questions about Shane Wright. We predicted earlier that he could score thirty goals this season. Is that realistic with this lineup? Tyler in Kirkland asks: 'Shane Wright has the tools, but does he have the NHL-ready body and hockey IQ to handle a full workload right away, or should we temper expectations for his rookie campaign?' What’s your read on his development curve?
Mark: Tyler, this is the million-dollar question. Thirty goals is a tall order for any rookie, but Wright isn’t just a scorer; he’s a complete two-way player. His shot is heavy, and his vision is elite. However, the NHL game is faster. He needs to adapt his neutral-zone play quickly. I think thirty is the ceiling, but a more realistic, sustainable target might be twenty to twenty-five points in the first half while he adjusts. If he stays healthy, though, that thirty-goal pace is possible later in the season.
Jessica: Twenty to twenty-five to start seems very fair. It allows him to learn without burning him out. We also have a question from @HockeyNerd_Seattle asking: 'With eleven centers, who gets cut? Who are the sleepers like Ben Meyers or Julius Miettinen that could make the team out of training camp?' This is pure roster crunch time speculation.
Mark: Ben Meyers has been impressive in camp, showing excellent face-off skills and defensive awareness. He’s a strong candidate for the fourth line. Miettinen is a wildcard—he’s got size and skill, but he needs to prove he can handle the physical toll. Guys like Curtis Douglas and Ryan Winterton are likely to be sent down to the AHL to gain experience. The coaching staff loves versatility, so whoever can play multiple forward positions probably has the edge. It’s going to be a tight cut.
Jessica: Alright, we’re running low on time but we have one more segment coming up—a lightning round of fun hypotheticals! But before we get there, I want to take a quick moment to thank you all for listening. If these daily breakdowns help you get through your commute or morning routine, a small contribution goes a long way in keeping this show free and daily for everyone. Check out the link in the episode description to support the network—we appreciate every bit of help.
Jessica: Welcome back! Let’s lighten the mood. First up: Hypothetical scenario. If the Kraken could only keep five players from the current roster for the rest of their careers, who makes the cut? Mark, go first. Five names only.
Mark: Okay, hard choice. Vince Dunn, obviously—the offensive engine. Matty Beniers for his two-way dominance. Joey Daccord for the goaltending stability. Jared McCann for scoring punch. And... Shane Wright. He’s the future. Those five give you a core that competes for championships.
Jessica: Solid core. I’d swap Dunn for Brandon Montour maybe, just for the power play expertise, but I love the inclusion of Wright. Okay, lightning round! First question: Who is the most underrated player on this roster? Go.
Mark: Frederick Gaudreau. People forget how good he is at winning battles in the corners and driving play without putting up flashy stats. He’s the glue guy.
Jessica: Agreed. Gaudreau is essential. Next: Which rookie has the highest ceiling? Ryden Evers or Oscar Fisker Molgaard?
Mark: Evers. His speed and shot are just special. Molgaard is talented, but Evers feels more NHL-ready offensively.
Jessica: Final question: Will the Kraken win the Pacific Division this year? Yes or no?
Mark: Yes. The depth and defensive structure are too strong. They’ll grind out the wins.
Jessica: There you have it! The Kraken are poised for a huge season. Thanks for tuning in to today’s mailbag. Please subscribe, rate, and review the show wherever you listen—it helps more fans find us. Go Kraken!
Mark: See you next time. Keep watching the depth chart closely.