Opening night is close, but the Seattle Kraken debut might be hampered with five players in COVID-19 protocols. News of Jared McCann, Joonas Donskoi, Calle Jarnkrok, Jamie Oleksiak and Marcus Johansson broke on Monday afternoon. It is not confirmed that they are out but expected.
The Seattle Kraken are expected to be without five players for the season opener at Vegas due to COVID-19 protocols.https://t.co/Ul1Lrv5IqP
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) October 11, 2021
Seattle Kraken Debut Will Have Roster Changes
Jarnkrok had been in protocol since last week while the others were announced on Monday. Seattle general manager Ron Francis said the entire roster got vaccinated at the beginning of training camp. All the players missed the final practice before the team departed to face the Vegas Golden Knights.
Collin Blackwell and Yanni Gourde are also out of the lineup for the Kraken. However, Gourde is practicing and will travel with the team for its debut. Seattle has been preparing for changed lineup by claiming Alex Barre-Boulet from the Tampa Bay Lightning. He may be available for Tuesday’s game depending on travel. Kraken head coach Dave Hakstol said the roster will be full before Tuesday’s inaugural game.
It’s been an eventful day for the franchise after naming Mark Giordano as the team’s first captain. Jordan Eberle, Adam Larsson, Jaden Schwartz and Gourde are the team’s assistant captains.
“Things happen quickly and sometimes at inopportune times,” Hakstol said to the media. “There’s different challenges as you go throughout the season and this is one of them for us early on.”
What it Means
McCann has been practicing on the top line with Schwarts and Eberle. Donskoi and Johansson are slated to be in the middle-six while Oleksiak is a top-four defenceman.
Tuesday’s game against a Stanley Cup contender will be hard enough, but taking on a team with an all-new lineup will be difficult. The Kraken have a roster that’s got solid goaltending and defence, but that will be tested against the Knights.
Seattle plays its first five games on the road before hosting the Vancouver Canucks for its first home game on Oct. 23.
