Team Chemistry Class in Session

When defenseman Cale Fleury and forward Kole Lind stepped onto the ice to stretch before Friday's second practice, they didn't expect huge cheers and foot stomping from a few hundred fans on hand at the Kraken Community Iceplex. But that's what being the first Kraken on the rink will generate. Here are observations from Day 2 amid the fanfare:

Pairs Skating

Defensemen Vince Dunn and Adam Larsson have paired up frequently during the first two days of Kraken camp. There is a wide assumption among media members the duo represents a good match. Larsson is a stellar defense-first defenseman and Dunn excels at carrying or passing the puck out of the defensive zone to get an offensive rush started.
All makes sense. But that didn't stop Larsson from taking his fair share of shots on goal during team drills. His low, hard shot is one option and he rotated up toward the goal for scoring attempts on some possessions. Worth noting: Larsson is more than capable of 20-point seasons (mostly assists) as proven in past NHL stops in New Jersey and Edmonton.
Its more recently that Larsson has developed into an elite NHL defender. By his own observation, it worked out that coaching staffs appreciated and trusted his defensive work so highly he became a go-to guy for protecting the defensive zone. In fact, Larsson is among league leaders each year in analytics rating which D-men make the least number of mistakes in his own end.
"I look to make a good pass or exit from the zone," said Larsson during an interview this week. "And I want to be fast."

Let's Get Physical

Speaking to the local and national media scrum after the split-squad practices, Dunn said the Kraken have been competing hard during the first two days while also looking to come together as a team.
"It can be tough going into corners against teammates," said Dunn. "Without being too aggressive, you do want to get into each other's way. The captain skates [informal workouts training camp started this week] are more like shinny."
Dunn said Saturday's intra-squad scrimmage will up the competitive level, "then we can take that physicality into the games." The Kraken open up their preseason Sunday against Vancouver at the Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena (6 p.m., ROOT SPORTS, KJR-950).

Latest, But Not Last, on Lines

Full disclosure: Day 2 of training camp is not exactly going to feature the exact forward lines and defensive pairings Kraken fans will see take the ice for the season opener at Vegas Oct. 12. But head coach Dave Hakstol has said he and the coaching staff are not going to overdo it on trying every possible combo among a good 18 to 20 forwards who could be in the mix. Same for a dozen defensemen vying for spots on the 23-man NHL active roster.
Hakstol also told the media Thursday he wants chosen line combinations to get two to three practice days and probably at least one preseason game to determine chemistry among the center and his two wings.
Friday's Day 2 lines for drills and some 5-on-5 play continued with Jared McCann centering Jaden Schwartz and Jordan Eberle in the later session, plus Morgan Geekie working with wingers Joonas Donskoi and Ryan Donato. The Donato-Geekie-Donskoi line clicked on some picture-book scoring plays, highlighted by two bullet shots by Donato.
In the early session, the all-Swede line of Calle Jarnkrok and Marcus Johansson playing between Alex Wennberg looked fast and dangerous. Wennberg told the media the trio is using some Swedish to communicate on the ice.
"The puck doesn't seem to come off their sticks," said Dunn, who faced the Swedes alongside his partner and yet another Swede, Larsson. "For me, it's about being patient against them [not committing to a countermove too soon]. "They play well in the defensive zone too."
The first session featured another line with noticeable energy. Veteran center Riley Sheahan skated with Brandon Tanev and Nathan Bastian. The trio showed stellar forechecking skills and drove to the net at what Hakstol likes to call good pace. Over their careers, Tanev leads the group with 601 hits in six seasons, Sheahan has 206 over 10 seasons and Bastian has notched 160 hits in two seasons, including 136 in 41 games for the New Jersey Devils last season.
One early session D-pairing that looked both fluid and physically imposing was Haydn Fleury and Carson Soucy. The Thursday D-pairing of Mark Giordano and Jamie Oleksiak was divided for the most of Friday. Giordano worked with Jeremy Lauzon (Boston expansion pick) while Oleksiak lined up alongside Cale Fleury (Montreal expansion selection).

News and Notes

The team has not yet worked on special teams plays and systems during practice ... Yanni Gourde, who surprised even Kraken GM Ron Francis by skating Day 1, worked on the second rink solo for a bit to continue drills aimed at strengthening the shoulder for which he underwent surgery July 21 ... Gourde looked fantastic during skating drills ... Alex Wennberg skates with so much speed and fluidity-that is all ... For hockey parents looking to explain to kids how pros work at their craft no matter how accomplished, look no further than 37-year-old Kraken defenseman Mark Giordano. He doesn't coast one single stride during the 90-minute workouts and battles for every puck.