The Seattle Kraken have bolstered their defence by signing Brandon Montour to a seven-year deal and trading veteran Brian Dumoulin to the Anaheim Ducks. This move not only opened a roster spot for Ryker Evans but also freed up cap space to potentially sign Matty Beniers.
Roster Adjustments and New Faces
For the 2024-25 season head coach Dan Bylsma and assistant coach Bob Woods have six NHL-calibre defensemen to work with: Montour Evans Vince DunnAdam LarssonJamie Oleksiak and Will Borgen.
Montour Larsson and Borgen will play on the right side of the blue line. Montour is known for his offensive skills while Larsson and Borgen are solid defenders who excel at moving the puck efficiently.
Left Side Defence
The left side features Dunn and Evans both smooth-skating offensive defensemen who have honed their defensive skills. They are crucial in generating rush chances for the Kraken. Oleksiak at 6'7" adds a physical presence unafraid to engage in physical play or fights when necessary.
Potential Defensive Pairings
Balanced Approach:
Dunn-Larsson
Oleksiak-Montour
Evans-Borgen
This setup combines offensive prowess with defensive reliability in each pairing.
Offensive Drive:
Dunn-Montour
Evans-Larsson
Oleksiak-Borgen
Here the top two pairs focus on generating offense while the third pair serves as a shutdown duo.
Depth and Flexibility
If Evans struggles or an injury occurs Josh Mahura the Kraken's latest signing is ready to step in. Mahura is a dependable defender who can seamlessly integrate into the lineup.
With this robust defence group the Kraken are well-equipped to compete against any team in the NHL.