Nyman Makes Opening Argument For NHL Promotion

Kraken prospect Jani Nyman acknowledged after showing off two of his bigger skills in Sunday’s preseason opening win that his goal is to keep on playing in the NHL once these contests start counting for real.

The Kraken have said the 6-foot-2, 212-pounder, who scored three goals for them in a dozen games last season while also undergoing a stellar AHL rookie campaign, will get a long look in camp to see whether he belongs in the NHL full-time. Nyman jumpstarted that quest with two second period goals in this 5-3 victory over the Vancouver Canucks at Climate Pledge Arena, the markers resulting from both the hulking winger’s penchant for heading to the net front as well as his ability to unleash a devastating shot.

“This summer was very long for me – I spent four months training hard,” Nyman said of meeting what he knows is a huge training camp opportunity. “I tried doing everything (needed) so that one day, I can play in the NHL.”

He took some of that NHL future into his hands with the score tied midway through this one by streaking toward the Vancouver net just as a Kaapo Kakko pass deflected off a defender and right on to his stick. Nyman typically doesn’t miss from such close range and quickly buried the puck behind Canucks netminder Nikita Tolopilo to put the Kraken ahead to stay.

That goal launched a barrage of three Kraken scores in a span of 3:31 as Jaden Schwartz converted on an ensuing power play and then Nyman delivered again with a blistering slap shot one-timed from the top of the right circle for a three-goal lead. Chase Stillman got one back for Vancouver on a penalty shot against Joey Daccord right at the frame’s end, but John Hayden added a third period goal to ensure the Nyman-fueled rally held up the rest of the way.

“I liked that I scored and last year I liked the way I played,” Nyman said. “But it’s the first game and I’ll try to do the same for next game.”

Nils Aman closed out the scoring for Vancouver in the third after Nikke Kokko had come on to replace Daccord in net for the final 20 minutes as planned in advance. Victor Mancini also scored for the Canucks early in the second period to erase an initial goal in the opening frame by Kraken prospect winger Eduard Sale.

The goal by Sale, drafted in the first round, 20^th overall in 2023, came off a neutral zone turnover caused by Jordan Eberle. Sale raced down the right side on a 2-on-1 break, using centerman Berkly Catton as a decoy before firing a wrist shot up high, short side on netminder Tolopilo.

It was an alert play by Sale, who kept looking at Catton until the very last second and enticed the goalie to start cheating to his right just a little too early. Sale was one of five Kraken first round picks on the ice in this one, along with Matty Beniers, Shane Wright, Catton and Jake O’Brien.

Wright and O’Brien both had opening period breakaway chances that were stopped by Tolopilo before Sale finally converted.

But it’s Nyman, 21, a second rounder taken in the second round, 49^th overall in 2022, who looms as the most likely among the franchise’s higher-line AHL wingers to earn a coveted promotion.

Beyond the 28 goals scored in 58 games his AHL debut season, Nyman also found the net early and often in limited Kraken opportunities. For a Kraken team wanting more size up front and some additional goal scoring, the combination offered by Finland native Nyman is an enticing one so long as his skating takes a step forward as well.

That’s why these preseason games present a huge opportunity for Nyman to show he belongs.

The Kraken were impressed by some of Nyman’s chemistry alongside Finnish countryman Kakko last season and the pair picked right up again in this contest on a line centered by Beniers. Kakko assisted on both of Nyman’s goals, the second one seeing him feed the puck gingerly toward the youngster in the right faceoff circle where he could tee-off one of his patented slappers he didn’t miss often on from that range a season ago.

“Of course, he’s the Finnish guy so we’re both speaking the same language,” Nyman joked with a smile. “But Kaapo (Kakko) and (Matty) Beniers are very good players and I like playing with them.”

Kakko said he felt the entire line had “pretty good” chemistry throughout, generating plenty of chances and scoring the two goals and not allowing any against.

While admitting the first Nyman goal on the deflected pass was somewhat lucky, he said the thought behind it was the right one and it worked out well. On the second goal, the pair switched up positioning on the ice so Nyman could find open space in the right circle to unleash his rocket shot teed up by Kakko.

“I mean, he’s got a good shot,” Kakko said of Nyman. “I think we know that and we all saw that last year already. I mean, there was nobody net front, so it was a pretty heavy shot. Hopefully, me and Matty (Beniers) can find him a little more.”

If they do, it will make a decision on sending Nyman back to the AHL a whole lot tougher for the Kraken brain trust, who have a squad currently loaded with experienced wingers and also will take a long look at keeping Catton. Kraken head coach Lane Lambert said afterwards that Nyman did a good job of utilizing his formidable skills on both goals.

“His second one was a good shot, his first one was going to the net hard and a great play by Kakko,” Lambert said. “The thing that really excited me about that (first Nyman) goal was that it started in the defensive zone. We killed the play (by Vancouver) and then it wound up in the back of their net. From my perspective, that’s what I’m talking about when we’re talking about defense and it translates into offense. So, Jani (Nyman) played well.”

Nyman keeps on playing well whenever he puts on a Kraken uniform, which certainly isn’t hurting his chances. The winger admitted the stint last season has made his transition to this year’s training camp a lot more comfortable.

“Of course it’s a little bit easier,” Nyman said. “I have very good memories from last year of the 12 games. But the season now is new. It’s hard for players to play in the first (preseason) game but we played very well. I liked how we played.”