Tag: Seattle Kraken

Eeli Tolvanen in talks with multiple NHL teams

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | August 25, 2026

Story Summary

Eeli Tolvanen is a free-agent figure of interest around the NHL after his representatives told a reporter he has held discussions with multiple clubs. The forward’s contract with the Seattle Kraken ended after last season; Pacific North Hockey reporter Rob Simpson says the Kraken are no longer among the teams in talks. Tolvanen played 78 games last season, recording 12 goals and 24 assists.

Key Facts

Report originates from Pacific North Hockey reporter Rob Simpson, as cited by the source.
Tolvanen’s representatives said the player has spoken with several NHL teams; specific clubs were not disclosed.
Tolvanen’s contract with the Seattle Kraken expired at the end of last season.
Rob Simpson said the Kraken are no longer among the teams Tolvanen is negotiating with.
Tolvanen, 27, played 78 games last season for Seattle, scoring 12 goals and adding 24 assists (36 points).
The next team for Tolvanen has not been confirmed.

IHM Discussion

The new detail is twofold: that Tolvanen has active conversations with more than one NHL club and that the Seattle Kraken are explicitly out of the current picture.

Statistically, Tolvanen’s 78 appearances and 36 points last season constitute the most recent, concrete evidence NHL clubs will use when assessing him. Those figures are a primary talking point for any team weighing a signing: they represent recent availability across a full season and an offensive return that can be measured against internal needs and budget.

At this stage the situation should be read as a live free-agent process rather than a pending move. The source keeps the membership of the suitors confidential, so there is no public confirmation of offers, contract structure or timing. The only confirmed transactional detail is that his Kraken contract concluded last season.

Why It Matters

For NHL clubs seeking depth or a middle-six scoring option, Tolvanen’s availability creates a low-risk opportunity to add a player with a recent full season of games. His 12 goals and 24 assists provide a clear statistical baseline that teams can compare to candidates internally and on the market.

For Seattle, Simpson’s comment that the Kraken are no longer involved closes one potential reunion path and signals that Tolvanen’s next move will be entirely external. For fans and roster planners around the league, the lack of named suitors keeps this firmly in the speculative phase until a team is publicly identified.

Mini Q&A

Is Eeli Tolvanen still under contract with the Seattle Kraken?

No. Reportedly, Tolvanen’s contract with the Seattle Kraken ended after last season.

Is Seattle one of the teams currently involved in negotiations?

The Kraken are reportedly no longer among the teams negotiating with Tolvanen.

How did Tolvanen perform last season?

He played 78 games and recorded 12 goals and 24 assists in the regular season.

How old is Tolvanen?

He is 27 years old, as stated.

Coach Mark Comment

From a coach’s viewpoint, a player who appeared in 78 games last season brings value through proven availability. Tolvanen’s 36 points are a measurable output teams can slot into various roles depending on need. The crucial next step for any interested club is an evaluation of how his playstyle and recent form fit their systems rather than assuming a fixed role.

IHM Final View

This is a developing free-agent story: Tolvanen is reported to be in discussions with several NHL teams while Seattle is no longer part of that conversation. The essential facts are his availability, his last-season numbers and the absence of disclosed suitors; until a team is named or a contract is announced, the situation remains unresolved.

Eduard Šalé to reshape his game as NHL bid continues

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | August 19, 2026

Story Summary

Eduard Šalé, the 21-year-old first-round pick from 2023, is explicitly working to change his game to fit the North American model as he prepares to begin a third season in the AHL with the Coachella Valley Firebirds. Šalé accepts that strength, acceleration, off-puck work and defensive play must improve before he can force a regular NHL role with the Seattle Kraken.

Key Facts

Player: Eduard Šalé, age 21, identified in the article as a winger.
Draft status: Selected in the first round of the 2023 NHL draft by Seattle.
Current club situation: Entering his third AHL season with Coachella Valley Firebirds this coming autumn.
2025-26 AHL numbers cited: 13 goals and 27 points in 58 regular-season games.
Playoffs: Coachella Valley reached the Western Conference semifinals (Calder Cup quarterfinals stage).
Contract: Šalé is described as having two years remaining on his contract.
Development notes: Kraken development staff consider Šalé in need of further physical and tactical development before an NHL promotion.
Personal comments: Šalé says he must become more dynamic for the American style and that he will not return to Kometa Brno for now, adding that a move back is “not my case yet.”
Organisational changes: Ron Francis left his position; Jason Botterill is serving as general manager. Šalé commented that head scout Robert Krona “should continue” because Krona has one year left on his contract, according to Šalé.
National team and training: Šalé trained in Říčany and said Aleš Stezka helped him through a difficult first year in North America. He has met head coach Jaromír (referred to in the source as Gross) twice and skated on the ice with the new national staff.
Local ties: Šalé lives about seven minutes on foot from Kometa Brno’s new arena and plans to watch Kometa’s first game in the venue in January from a distance.

IHM Discussion

The reporting draws a clear development arc: Šalé remains a technically gifted, creative player but accepts that the pathway to an NHL role runs through a stylistic change. He himself maps the work – get stronger in contact, speed up acceleration, improve off-puck reads and defensive responsibility – and Seattle’s development staff appear aligned in that assessment. That concurrence matters because it shapes how the Firebirds will use him this season and what the Kraken will expect when they evaluate him for NHL minutes.

Statistically, the raw numbers are neither a failure nor a breakout. Thirteen goals and 27 points from 58 AHL games mark a player who contributed but did not dominate. The Firebirds’ run to the Western Conference semifinals gave Šalé playoff experience, yet the Kraken again kept few call-ups from the farm, which leaves him in the longer development track rather than on the doorstep of a permanent NHL roster spot.

Šalé’s public comments show the right attitude for a prospect in this position. He openly accepts that his natural long-ice, finesse game must be integrated with a more direct, physical North American template. He also signals focus: returning to Kometa is explicitly off the table for now and his stated horizon is an NHL breakthrough rather than an early homecoming.

Why It Matters

For Seattle, Šalé represents a notable investment: a first-round pick from 2023 whom the club still considers a potential upper-line contributor. The combination of organisational patience and Šalé’s willingness to adapt reduces the chance of a rushed promotion that could stall his progress. For Šalé, a third AHL season is a critical checkpoint: it is where he needs to translate the technical tools the source praises into the physical and consistent package NHL coaches require.

What Comes Next

Šalé will begin his third season with the Coachella Valley Firebirds this coming autumn.
He plans to follow Kometa Brno’s opening in their new arena, with Kometa’s first game versus Sparta scheduled for January.

Mini Q&A

Who is Eduard Šalé?

A 21-year-old Czech winger, taken in the first round of the 2023 draft and currently developing with Seattle’s AHL affiliate.

How did he perform last season?

He scored 13 goals and collected 27 points in 58 regular-season AHL games, and his Firebirds reached the Western Conference semifinals.

Is a return to Kometa Brno likely?

Šalé said returning to Kometa “is not my case yet” and that his focus is on pushing for an NHL role with Seattle.

What are the immediate development priorities?

He highlighted strength, acceleration, off-puck work and defensive contribution as areas to improve to fit the American style.

Coach Mark Comment

From a coaching perspective, Šalé’s checklist is familiar: a gifted skater with playmaking skill must add measurable physicality and consistency to survive more frequently in NHL matchups. That does not mean abandoning creativity; it means learning to deliver it inside tighter windows, win more puck battles, and be defensively available for shifts when opponents apply pressure. The third AHL season is the practical lab for that refinement – reps in board battles, situational forechecking and consistent execution over a full campaign will show whether those attributes are developing into an NHL-ready package.

IHM Final View

Eduard Šalé is still on a conventional development timeline rather than on the fast track. The sourced facts show a player who understands what is required and an organisation prepared to let him mature. The coming AHL season is the clearest, source-grounded test of whether his technical gifts will be reshaped into the complete player Seattle needs at the NHL level.

Seattle Kraken 4-1 San Jose Sharks: Schwartz leads special-teams clinic | IHM News IHM

Seattle Kraken 4-1 San Jose Sharks: Schwartz drives special-teams statement at home

Date: November 16, 2025 – Author: IHM News

Seattle opened the weekend with a composed 4-1 win against the San Jose Sharks at Climate Pledge Arena, leaning on five-on-five structure and sharp special teams rather than raw shot volume. The Kraken were outshot 26-24 but controlled the game once they settled after a busy first period, turning a 1-1 scoreline into a two-goal cushion in the second and closing the night with a shorthanded empty-net dagger.

Jaden Schwartz finished with two goals, including the late shorthanded empty-netter that sealed it at 4-1. Eeli Tolvanen and Adam Larsson supplied the other Seattle tallies, while Chandler Stephenson and Jamie Oleksiak combined for four assists out of the top six. On the other side, the Sharks generated plenty of perimeter looks but only broke through on an early power-play marker from Alexander Wennberg.

First period: trading punches and a late goalie change

Seattle struck first at 8:14 of the opening frame when Schwartz jumped into space off the rush and finished a clean feed from Stephenson, with Oleksiak providing the secondary assist for a 1-0 lead. San Jose answered late in the period on the power play: after a hooking minor against Ryan Lindgren, Wennberg tied it 1-1 at 19:42, wiring a one-timer from the right side off passes by celebrated rookie Macklin Celebrini and William Eklund.

The goal came at the end of a heavy Sharks push and triggered a change in the Seattle crease, with Philipp Grubauer coming in to relieve starter Matt Murray for the rest of the night. From there, the Kraken tightened their puck management through the neutral zone and stopped feeding San Jose transition looks.

Second period: blue-line punch swings control to Seattle

The middle frame belonged to the Kraken defense. After killing off early penalties to Tolvanen and Vince Dunn, Seattle flipped the momentum at 16:05 when Larsson jumped down from the blue line and buried a cross-slot pass from Mason Marchment, with Matty Beniers picking up the second assist for a 2-1 advantage.

Less than a minute and a half later, the same cycle pressure broke the Sharks again. Tolvanen found soft ice in the left circle and snapped home Seattle’s third of the night at 16:43, finishing another clean passing sequence from Stephenson and Oleksiak to push the lead to 3-1. San Jose struggled to clear the zone under pressure, spending long stretches defending layered point shots and net-front tips rather than attacking off the rush.

Third period: disciplined kill and shorthanded knockout

The Sharks tried to climb back in the third, earning multiple power plays as the Kraken took a string of minor penalties, including delays of game and tripping calls. Seattle’s penalty kill stayed compact in the middle, forcing San Jose to the outside and allowing Grubauer to handle the long looks cleanly.

With time running out and the Sharks pressing with the goalie pulled on a late advantage, the Kraken delivered the final blow. Lindgren read a loose puck, transitioned quickly through the neutral zone and found Schwartz in stride; the winger finished into the empty cage shorthanded at 16:31 for his second of the night and the 4-1 final.

Key numbers | IHM Performance Metrics

Shots on goal: Seattle 24, San Jose 26
Shooting percentage: Seattle 16.67% (4/24), San Jose 3.85% (1/26)
Goalie saves: Kraken goalies combined 25/26 (96.15% SV%), Sharks 20/23 (86.96% SV%), fourth goal allowed empty net
Blocked shots: Seattle 8, San Jose 25
Penalties / PIM: Seattle 6 minors for 12 PIM, San Jose 2 minors for 4 PIM
Special teams snapshot: Kraken penalty kill perfect on the night, Sharks convert once on the power play

Team notes and standout performers

For Seattle, Schwartz’s two-goal performance was backed up by a quietly dominant night from the Stephenson line; the center finished with two primary assists and drove a steady forecheck that wore down San Jose’s top pair. Tolvanen’s release was again a difference-maker from the left flank, while Larsson’s timing on his pinches kept the Sharks guessing on point pressure.

On the Sharks side, Wennberg’s power-play strike and Celebrini’s poise on the puck were positives, and the shot edge shows San Jose was not out of the game territorially. But with only one goal on 26 shots and heavy reliance on blocked attempts, the visitors lacked interior presence and second-chance pressure in front of the Seattle net.

Coach Mark comment

From a coaching perspective, this game is a clinic in staying patient when the shot clock is not in your favour. Seattle trusted their defensive layers, kept the middle of the ice protected and punished mistakes when the Sharks overextended. If the Kraken repeat this kind of special-teams discipline and structured breakout under pressure, they will stay in the Pacific Division conversation all season.

Questions & Answers | IHM Performance Metrics

Q: How did Seattle win despite being outshot?
A: The Kraken limited high-danger looks, protected the slot and finished at a far better clip, converting four of 24 shots while holding San Jose to one goal on 26 attempts.

Q: What was the turning point of the game?
A: The late second-period stretch where Larsson and Tolvanen scored less than two minutes apart. That spell flipped a 1-1 game into a 3-1 cushion and forced the Sharks to chase in the third.

Q: How important was special-teams play in this matchup?
A: Very important. San Jose’s lone goal came on the power play, but Seattle’s penalty kill tightened as the game went on and then added a shorthanded empty-netter to close it out.

Q: Did the goalie change affect Seattle’s stability?
A: If anything it calmed the group. Grubauer stepped in and, together with Murray’s early work, the Kraken goalies combined for 25 saves on 26 shots, giving the skaters confidence to keep playing their structure.

Q: What does this result mean for both teams going forward?
A: For Seattle, it reinforces a blueprint built on structure, depth scoring and special-teams detail. For San Jose, the takeaway is clear: more net-front traffic and fewer perimeter cycles if they want their shot volume to translate into goals.

More NHL coverage on IHM

For more nightly recaps, performance metrics and long-form features from across the League, visit IceHockeyMan - IHM News.

NHL One-Month Shock Meter | IHM Performance Metrics

Seattle Kraken 5-3 Winnipeg Jets | NHL Game Recap | IHM News

Seattle Kraken 5-3 Winnipeg Jets

Result: Seattle rallies with three unanswered goals in the third period to stun Winnipeg at Climate Pledge Arena.

Date: November 14, 2025 | Author: IHM News

Kraken flip the script with third-period surge

For two periods the Kraken skated from behind, chasing a Jets team that looked comfortable playing with the lead. Winnipeg struck first through Alex Iafallo and then reclaimed control twice on goals from Mark Scheifele and Kyle Connor, leaning on their top line and transition game. Seattle, however, never broke structure, and once the special teams battle tilted their way in the third, the entire flow of the night changed.

Down 3-2 after forty minutes, the Kraken exploited Winnipeg’s discipline issues and finally converted on the power play. A clean zone entry and set-up allowed Eeli Tolvanen to hammer home the 3-3 equaliser from the left circle early in the third, igniting the building. From that point on Seattle controlled the pace, rolling four lines, finishing checks and forcing the Jets into extended defensive shifts.

Jordan Eberle then took over at even strength. First he found soft ice in the slot and buried the 4-3 go-ahead marker off a feed from Matty Beniers, punishing Winnipeg’s loose backside coverage. With the Jets pressing late and their goalie pulled, Eberle sealed the points with an empty-netter to complete the comeback and cap a clinical, veteran performance from Seattle’s top six.

How the scoring unfolded

Winnipeg opened the scoring midway through the first period when Alex Iafallo finished a net-front sequence to make it 1-0 for the visitors. Seattle answered before the intermission as Kaapo Kakko tied the game 1-1, jumping on a feed from Jaden Schwartz after sustained pressure in the offensive zone.

The second period belonged mostly to the Jets. Mark Scheifele restored the lead early in the frame, slipping behind coverage to beat Philipp Grubauer for 2-1. Seattle responded through Vince Dunn, whose weak-side activation and wrist shot levelled the score at 2-2. A late penalty on the Kraken, however, proved costly; on the ensuing power play Kyle Connor wired home a one-timer for 3-2 Winnipeg, sending the visitors to the second intermission back in front.

The final period swung entirely Seattle’s way. Tolvanen’s power-play strike at 4:11 rebalanced the game at 3-3, and the Kraken never looked back. Eberle’s two third-period goals - one at even strength and one into the empty net - completed a 5-3 win and gave Seattle a statement home victory against a Western Conference rival.

Key numbers and IHM Performance Metrics

Shots on goal: Seattle 18, Winnipeg 26 - Jets generated more volume, but Seattle’s shot selection was more dangerous.
Shooting percentage: Seattle 27.8% (5/18), Winnipeg 11.5% (3/26) - the Kraken turned a low-volume night into high conversion.
Blocked shots: Seattle 13, Winnipeg 12 - Seattle’s forwards bought in defensively, especially with the lead late.
Goaltending: Grubauer 23 saves on 26 shots; Hellebuyck 13 saves on 17 shots before the empty-net goal - edge to Seattle in timely stops.
Discipline: Penalties 3-3; the decisive swing came from Seattle capitalising on a third-period power play, while Winnipeg failed to close it out with theirs in the second.

Coach Mark comment

Coach Mark Lehtonen notes that this was a classic example of a team trusting its structure when trailing. Seattle tightened their neutral-zone gaps after the first period and stopped gifting Winnipeg clean entries. Once the Kraken earned their chance on the power play in the third, their puck movement was precise and they executed with purpose.

Questions & Answers | IHM Performance Metrics

Why did Seattle win despite being outshot?

The Kraken generated higher-quality looks (inside lanes, slot touches and one-timers) rather than pure volume. Their 27.8% shooting rate reflects a night where they attacked dangerous areas instead of the perimeter.

What was the turning point of the game?

The equalising power-play goal from Tolvanen early in the third period flipped momentum. Winnipeg’s structure sagged after that, and Seattle’s top six controlled the puck for long stretches.

How did special teams influence the result?

Both teams had opportunities, but Seattle’s late power-play conversion arrived at a critical moment, while the Jets failed to extend their lead with the man advantage in the second. The timing of those swings mattered more than the raw totals.

Which players drove Seattle’s offensive push?

Eberle and Beniers were central, combining on the go-ahead and empty-net goals, while Dunn quietly drove possession from the back end with a goal and a primary assist on the power play.

More NHL coverage

For more NHL news, tactical breakdowns and IHM Performance Metrics reports, visit the main page of IceHockeyMan.com.

Colorado Avalanche 6-3 Buffalo Sabres | NHL Game Recap | IHM News

Seattle Kraken 1-2 Columbus Blue Jackets (SO) – Game Recap | IHM News

Seattle Kraken 1-2 Columbus Blue Jackets (SO)

Blue Jackets survive on special teams and win it in the shootout; Fantilli’s PPG forces overtime.

Nov. 12, 2025 – Author: IHM News

Columbus walked out of Seattle with two points, claiming a 2-1 victory after the shootout. The Blue Jackets erased an early deficit when Adam Fantilli struck on the power play late in the second, and then finished the job in the skills competition through Kirill Marchenko and Charlie Coyle. Seattle opened with a first-period punch but could not solve the Jackets’ structure again, despite a heavy block rate and a sterling performance in goal.

Game Flow

The Kraken landed first at 16:43 of the opening frame: Ryan Winterton drove inside space and finished a net-front touch from Ben Meyers and Jamie Oleksiak for 1-0. Seattle then leaned into a compact neutral-zone look and protected the middle.

Period two flipped on special teams. After a string of minors, Columbus leveled at 18:22 when Fantilli snapped home a left-dot feed on the man advantage, assisted by Kirill Marchenko and Sean Monahan. That sequence changed the tilt and sent the game tied into the third.

The third period was trench hockey: Seattle absorbed zone time (high block count) while Columbus funneled pucks from the points. Overtime brought controlled entries but no breakdowns, so it went to the shootout.

In the tiebreaker, Marchenko opened Columbus’ account and Coyle sealed it. Seattle’s attempts (including Jordan Eberle, Eeli Tolvanen, Kaapo Kakko) were turned away, giving the Jackets the road win.

Numbers Box

Shots on goal: Seattle 23, Columbus 34
Blocked shots: Seattle 21, Columbus 11
Goalkeeper saves: Seattle 33, Columbus 22
Save %: Seattle 97.06% (33/34), Columbus 95.65% (22/23)
Penalties: Seattle 4, Columbus 2
Power-play impact: Seattle 0 PPG, Columbus 1 PPG (Fantilli)

Team Notes

Seattle: Scored first but couldn’t add on; strong interior protection and high block volume kept it tight.
Columbus: Special-teams swing and cleaner exits in the third; confident finishes in the shootout.

Coach Mark comment

Columbus managed the middle better as the game wore on and trusted their power-play trigger. Seattle’s structure was fine, but they needed quicker weak-side activation to create second looks. In the shootout, the Jackets showed more deception and speed change.

Questions & Answers | IHM Performance Metrics

Q: What swung the game after Seattle’s first-period lead?
A: Penalties in the second created Columbus’ PPG and momentum; from there the Jackets drove more controlled entries.

Q: Why did Seattle lose despite elite goaltending numbers?
A: Low shot quality after the opener and limited interior touches; the shootout conversion gap finished it.

Q: Which micro-areas Columbus won late?
A: D-zone retrievals and first pass exits, plus better spacing on the PP half-wall sequence.

Q: Who decided the shootout?
A: Kirill Marchenko and Charlie Coyle scored for Columbus; Seattle’s attempts were denied.

More NHL news on IHM

IHM Academy – Performance Metrics Masterclass • Lesson 1

Celebrini leads Sharks past Kraken 6-1 with 3-point night | IHM News

Date: November 6, 2025 | Author: IHM News

Celebrini dominates again as Sharks crush Kraken 6-1 in Seattle

Rookie phenom posts 3 points, Askarov locks down the crease, San Jose keeps rolling with 4th win in 6

SEATTLE – The youth movement in San Jose isn’t just alive – it’s accelerating. Macklin Celebrini delivered another breakout performance with three points (1G, 2A) as the San Jose Sharks dismantled the Seattle Kraken 6-1 at Climate Pledge Arena on Wednesday night.

San Jose is now 4-1-1 in its last six, showing structure, tempo, and confidence that wasn’t evident in October. Rookie goaltender Yaroslav Askarov added to that tone with a composed 28-save performance.

Celebrini sets the tone early
At 1:08 of the first, Celebrini slipped into the slot, took a feed from Tyler Toffoli, and snapped a blocker-side wrister past Joey Daccord for 1-0.

Seattle briefly equalized on Ryan Winterton’s first NHL goal at 16:30, but that was the final high point for the Kraken.

Sharks take over
Ethan Cardwell restored the lead at 18:42 after a perfect cross-ice pass from Alexander Wennberg (2-1). John Klingberg hammered a power-play one-timer at 11:21 of the second (3-1). Will Smith scored early in the third with a wrister from the right wing (4-1). Ty Dellandrea buried a short-handed rebound at 3:24 (5-1). Tyler Toffoli finished a breakaway moments later (6-1).

Six goals, six momentum swings – all controlled by San Jose.

Kraken struggle on home ice
Daccord allowed four goals before giving way to Matt Murray in the third. Seattle finished its five-game homestand 2-1-2 and struggled to keep pace.

“Our structure wasn’t good enough,” Kraken coach Lane Lambert said. “San Jose was quicker than us.”

Coach Mark comment
Celebrini reads layers like a veteran – timing, spacing, anticipation. San Jose is playing fast through the middle and recovering pucks with purpose. Askarov gave them the calm anchor they needed. Seattle’s gaps were too loose, and San Jose exploited every seam. This is the best stretch of hockey the Sharks have played all year.

NHL Status Report: Key Injuries and Returns Around the League | IHM News

Capitals Surge Past Kraken as Dowd Drives 4-1 Win

Author: IHM Team | Date: October 22, 2025

Washington needed a response and delivered one. At Capital One Arena the Capitals beat the Kraken 4-1, powered by Nic Dowd who posted 1+1 and set the tone on the forecheck. Rookie Ryan Leonard scored in a second straight game, Aliaksei Protas had two assists, and Logan Thompson stopped 18 shots. Washington has won five of six.

Fast start, cleaner second period

At 8:30 of the first, Brandon Duhaime drove the right wall, John Carlson touched inside, and Nic Dowd finished at the back post for 1-0.

The second period belonged to Washington. Ryan Leonard scored 25 seconds in on a quick snap shot after Aliaksei Protas forced a turnover below the goal line. At 1:33, Jakob Chychrun joined PP1 and wired a right-circle shot to the top corner off an Alex Ovechkin pass for 3-0. The Capitals outshot Seattle 16-3 in the frame.

Kraken flashes and Murray’s debut

Jaden Schwartz made it 3-1 at 3:50 of the third on a bounce from the end boards. Seattle pushed late but could not solve Logan Thompson. With the net empty, Tom Wilson scored at 19:10 for the 4-1 final. Matt Murray made 30 saves in his Kraken debut.

Ovechkin tracker

Alex Ovechkin recorded an assist and remains two goals shy of 900.

Coach Mark’s Comment: “Washington won the details. Dowd’s line tilted the ice, Protas drove retrievals, and the second-period structure was textbook. If PP1 stays this crisp with Chychrun’s shot threat, this team becomes much harder to chase.”