Forecasting the Kraken Power Play for 2024

Free Agency Moves

The Seattle Kraken made a significant splash in free agency, investing $90 million in two top-tier players. With no trades expected, the roster for the 2024-25 season appears set. Chandler Stephenson and Brandon Montour are projected to join the first power play unit, as discussed on the Sound Of Hockey Podcast. This article explores the potential impact of these additions.

Historical Performance

Last season, the Kraken's power play ranked 17th in the league, just below the average. Over the past three seasons, their power play has shown steady improvement. Key acquisitions like Oliver Bjorkstrand, Andre Burakovsky, Eeli Tolvanen, and Daniel Sprong contributed significantly to this progress, replacing players such as Marcus Johansson and Calle Jarnkrok.

New Additions

Brandon Montour is expected to take over Justin Schultz's power play minutes, while Chandler Stephenson will likely replace Alexander Wennberg and Jaden Schwartz. Montour logged the most power play minutes for Florida with over 15,000 seconds, and Stephenson ranked third for Vegas with nearly 13,000 seconds. Both were crucial to their previous teams' power plays.

Impact Analysis

To gauge their potential impact, we can compare their power play contributions from last season with the Kraken's performance. If Montour and Stephenson can replicate their previous success, they will enhance the Kraken's power play significantly.

Stephenson's Passing

Stephenson's passing ability is not fully captured by public models, as NHL play-by-play data lacks detailed passing metrics. However, his reputation as a strong passer is evident. Here are some notable examples of his assists:

- Assist to Marchessault: Marchessault scores for Vegas on a smart pass from Stephenson.

- Eichel's Goal: Stephenson's precise pass leads to a goal by Jack Eichel, doubling Vegas' lead.

Adding a player like Stephenson could elevate the Kraken's power play, making it more dynamic and efficient.

Conclusion

The Kraken's power play has been on an upward trajectory, and the additions of Stephenson and Montour could continue this trend. Both players bring valuable experience and skills that could transform the Kraken into one of the league's top power play teams. As the season progresses, it will be exciting to see how these changes play out on the ice.