Kraken Distractions: Mascots, Woodworking & T-Shirts

How to say the Seattle Kraken are playing out the string without saying they're playing out the string.

Well, the Kraken's official website has a story about defenseman Adam Larsson's secret sense of humor, and more details about his infamous T-shirt. (It's a good read .)

Alison Lukan, who wrote the Larsson story, is working as hard as anyone on the team. Later this week, a feature on center Yanni Gourde and his love for woodworking.

By the way, when the Kraken host the Buffalo Sabres Monday to conclude a five game homestand, Gourde will be on a new line alongside Tye Kartye and Kailer Yamamoto.

Why? Hmm. Y anni? Y amamoto? T y e Kart y e? If they click, I propose they be called the "Y" line.

Meanwhile, the team's social media account re-posted a Saturday pregame video from the Kraken mascot Buoy. Given how the season has gone, this was an incredibly risky stunt.

Let me state clearly and for the record: I am in no way disparaging these media efforts. In fact, I applaud them - heck, look what I'm writing about. Two days ago, I wrote a story about knitting .

No Offense

No offense, but in the three of the first four games on the current homestand, the Kraken have displayed no offense.

Seattle failed to score in the first or second periods of losses to Washington (2-1) and Nashville (4-1). They failed to score in all three periods of a 3-0 shutout by Winnipeg.

Even when the Kraken broke out for three 3rd period goals and took a 4-2 lead over Vegas, they couldn't hang on - eventually losing 5-4 in overtime.

Those scores also reflect an imbalance between offense and defense. Seattle's "D" ranks an admirable 8th in the NHL, allowing 2.82 goals per game. But the "O" ranks 28th, 2.68 goals per game.

Kraken GM Ron Francis in the offseason will do his best to acquire one or more prolific forwards. After the trade deadline, he hinted at a willingness to package draft picks for roster players.

Given what trading partners will demand in return, as well as a somewhat sparse free agent market, Francis could have as much trouble scoring as his team.