Why Were Kraken Rookies MIA In L.A.?

No, an Amber Alert wasn't issued for Seattle Kraken rookies Ryan Winterton (above right photo) and Logan Morrison (above left) in Los Angeles Wednesday.

And no, their faces weren't plastered on the sides of milk cartons outside Crypto.com Arena, where the Kraken dropped a 5-2 decision to the L.A. Kings.

Winterton and Morrison are alive and well, though legitimate questions persist about why they were held out of the lineup, in favor of Tomas Tatar and at least one other Seattle veteran.

Morrison has actually been a spectator for the last two Kraken contests.

After all, aren't these last handful of games best used for prospect evaluation at the NHL level? If not, why not return the pair to AHL Coachella Valley, where they can continue to season in advance of next September's training camp?

While we await clarification from head coach Dave Hakstol and GM Ron Francis, some clues can be gleaned from Hakstol's recent comments. Whether they serve to lower the burners underneath the coach's hot seat is a matter for a different column.

Theory One: Rookie Performance

"We've had young players in the lineup because they've earned that opportunity," the coach said on Wednesday.

So it isn't sub-par rookie performances that influenced roster decisions. "They've shown they can think and play at this level, execute at this level."

Theory Two: Priorities

"Everybody wants to be in the lineup," coach Hakstol said before the Kings game. "The reality is we have 25 players here right now.

"Every game is important for everybody. We're looking to win hockey games. The launch point will come next year at training camp."

Theory Three: Things We Won't Get Told

Maybe the Kraken coaching staff feels there's value in practicing and observing at the NHL level. Maybe they feel a loyalty to the vets who got them within a game of the conference finals last season.

Maybe Hakstol feels under pressure to accumulate late-season wins - though we'd hope GM Francis has given him the green light to sacrifice results if need be for the sake of prospect progress.

And maybe this will all feel moot if the rookie duo reappear in Anaheim when the Kraken close out their road trip against the Ducks. You wouldn't leave the kids at the hotel when you visit Disneyland, would you?