Getting Started

A bit after 9:30 Thursday morning, Kraken defenseman Mark Giordano stepped on the ice at Kraken Community Iceplex to cheers and applause from several hundred fans in attendance. Our famed Seattle sports noise -- and the Kraken's inaugural training camp -- officially opened for observations. Here's the list from Day 1:

They Know the Drills

While dozens upon dozens of fans sporting official team jerseys looked on, Kraken head coach, Dave Hakstol, rolled out an early drill in both practice sessions (44 player separated into two squads) that featured a hockey version of keep-away. Four players stand on the perimeter of a faceoff circle passing to each other on the move while two teammates position inside the circle attempting to intercept.
Fitting exercise, given the indications are Hakstol wants this team to get pucks "down low" in the offensive zone. Shots near the net, especially in front, are statistically most likely to become goals.
Another early drill featured line combinations (a center and two wings) working against defensive pairings. The offensive rushes on goalie Philipp Grubauer instantly prompted 40-some media members to begin speculating on which Kraken players might form a line or D-pairing.

Lining Up and Across

In the early group, long-time NHL wings Jordan Eberle (11 seasons) and Jaden Schwartz (10 seasons) were centered by another veteran, Jared McCann (six season). Another first-squad line combo: Morgan Geekie worked between Joonas Donskoi and Ryan Donato.
Donskoi and Donato worked together during 2-on-1 drills while Geekie moved over to work with Mason Appleton. When asked about Appleton during a media scrum, the former Calgary Flame Giordano praised his younger teammate who played for Winnipeg last year.

"Mason is very underrated and skilled with a great shot," said Giordano. "If you watched the Winnipeg-Edmonton playoff series last season, his line was a big reason for Winnipeg's success [sweeping the series in four games].
The late squad featured free-agent signee and Swede Alexander Wennberg centering for fellow Swedes Marcus Johansson and Calle Jarnkrok.
The defensive pairings were switched up more often, but it is to be duly noted the first day of training camp is exactly that. More to come on who lines up together.

Game-Time Decisions

Hakstol provided an insightful answer during his time answering media questions after practice. When asked about potential lines and developing chemistry with teammates, Hakstol said he and his coaches "put some combinations together to see if there's chemistry," explaining he thinks those combos need "two to three days and possibly through an exhibition game" to see if the trio is working. He added "we can't be all over the map" trying combos.
Both Grubauer and goalie Chris Driedger deferred to the coaching staff on the plan for the tandem to get ice time during the six-game preseason slate. But fans can figure to see both goaltenders in net during Kraken games this coming week.
"We get in our work during 'goalie ice' [sessions with goalie coach Andrew Allen before team practices start]," said Grubauer during his press availability off-ice at the Starbucks rink "But playing with five guys crossing the goal crease is something you can only do in games."

Driedger told the media he wasn't totally surprised by Grubauer signing on the first day of unrestricted free agency, just a week after Driedger signed as a restricted free agent and expansion draft choice from the Florida Panthers. He said he considered the Kraken might be "going into [free agency] with a lack of experience."
Both Driedger and Grubauer were top five in the NHL last season for goals-against average. Driedger said the informal "captain skate" workouts at the Iceplex in recent weeks were "great for timing with everyone on an NHL level."
At the end of each session, Kraken players lifted sticks and tapped sticks on the ice in salute to fans in the stands. The players noticed and appreciated the support.
"To see how excited the fans are watching us work out ... it's an incredible feeling right now," said Grubauer.

Seeing Red

Kraken players, coaches and hockey operations leaders were happy to see Yanni Gourde in the locker room and on the ice for Thursday's second session. Gourde's July 21 shoulder schedule figured to put him out of action until early December.
But Seattle GM Ron Francis told the media Gourde is undoubtedly "ahead of schedule" without setting any revised timeline. Gourde wore a red jersey among blues and whites as a mark of no-contact given his shoulder rehab status.

It was evident the ebullient Gourde, a two-time Cup winner in Tampa Bay, was skating with his usual speed and smiling throughout all drills. He looked great and Driedger, for one among many, was smiling too.
"I know Yanni a little well," said Driedger, laughing. "He potted two goals against me last year [during the heated rivalry games between Florida and Tampa Bay]. He certainly looks ahead of schedule. He is such a great guy."

News and Notes

Forward Colin Blackwell did not practice. Hakstol told the media the former New York Rangers forward is "day-to-day" ... No fan should be surprised that Hakstol included forechecking drills, plus defensive zone coverage whiteboard diagramming in the day's work ... Driedger complimented defenseman Haydn Fleury's shot and also "the meat" in Donskoi's shot ... Giordano gave the media a rundown of the players' schedules on practice days during camp: "It's a full day. Get a good breakfast, warmup and stretch [off ice], video meetings, execute on the ice, then post-practice workouts and recovery."