Seattle Kraken head coach Dan Bylsma spoke to 93.3 KJR and stated that Andre Burakovsky's healthy scratch is "not a long-term move."
Seattle Kraken head coach Dan Bylsma spoke to 93.3 KJR and stated that Andre Burakovsky's healthy scratch is "not a long-term move."
Seattle Kraken head coach Dan Bylsma spoke to 93.3 KJR and stated that Andre Burakovsky's healthy scratch is "not a long-term move."
Through the team's first 26 games, Bylsma hasn't been afraid to healthy scratch key Kraken players to send a message or allow a player to reset, and he did so with Burakovsky against the Carolina Hurricanes. Bylsma first utilized this strategy by healthy scratching Oliver Bjorkstrand.
Bjorkstrand's game had been suffering; he wasn't producing offence, and the other parts of his game were struggling because of it. Bylsma scratched Bjorkstrand, saying it was a wake-up call to everyone on the team. Bjorkstrand's game improved when he returned, scoring a goal in his first game back before going on a three-game point streak. He's currently on a six-game point streak heading into tonight's matchup against the New York Islanders.
Shane Wright was the next player to receive this treatment, sitting out three games. The message from Bylsma was to use it as a reset and see the game from a different perspective. Wright did just that, regaining his confidence, scoring three goals and five points in his first six games back. He's been more engaged offensively and driving play.
Burakovsky is on pace for the worst season of his career, scoring just one goal in his first 25 games. Bylsma compared Burakovsky's situation to Wright's.
"No, it's not a long-term move at all," said Bylsma. "I think conversations have happened; it's not a one-day conversation, it's a conversation over the whole season, to be honest. You're having conversations with the guy, the expectations of his game and, what he brings and what he's good at, and I think this situation is no different than sitting out Shane Wright for a few games and having a reset and just a refocus. The great thing about Andre is that he puts everything into his game and everything into his thoughts. He had a response early in the season, and I'm confident he'll have it again."
The Kraken need Burakovsky to be a driving force offensively, the way he was just two years ago. If he can do so, the Kraken may be able to fight for a playoff spot.
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