Kraken Viewing Rookie Tournament As "Business Trip"

The Seattle Kraken wrapped up their final skate before heading to Los Angeles to compete in the 2024 NHL Rookie Faceoff tournament and multiple key members labelled it as a "business trip." 

The Kraken have a deep prospect pool that is widely regarded as one the best in the NHL. With players such as Shane Wright, Berkly Catton and Jagger Firkus, opposing teams are going to give it their all against them and it's something they are all prepared for. 

Wright has been the first player on the ice before both training sessions and has received praise from teammates and from newly hired Coachella Valley Firebirds head coach Derek Laxdal. Laxdal is running the rookie training camp for the first time. 

"We're not going to Disneyland," said Laxdal. "It's a business trip. That's what the Seattle Kraken are all about. We're all business here."

Laxdal also had a few talking points that likely made many Kraken fans smile. He mentioned that the Firebirds will be running the same system as the Kraken so they are prepared for if or when they are called up. He also had high praise for Wright when asked if he belongs in the NHL.

"He does. He’s a type of player that you build the organization around, right? He can play a 200-foot game. He's got the scoring knack, got good size, got a good shot, got great leadership qualities."

Catton also sang praises for the 20-year-old centre.

"He’s extremely detailed. I've noticed that in everything he does, it seems like he does it right. He's a guy that’s a leader here, that guys like me can kind of follow in his steps. He's always open if I ever question, he's the person to kind of jump to answer it."

Jagger Firkus is gearing up for his first professional season which likely looks to start in the AHL. The 20-year-old won the WHL and CHL MVP and led his team to the WHL championship. Despite that, both the Kraken and Firkus know there is room for growth, especially physically. 

"Get bigger and stronger. It's a cliché answer, but that's exactly what they tell me," said Firkus. "It’s obviously a big year for me. I think your first-year pro, you really don't know what to expect going into it. It's just excitement, to be honest, I obviously put goals for myself, goals I want to reach. Just excitement."

The Kraken begin their tournament on Saturday and at the moment there has been no word about who will be in the lineup and where they will play. Wright and Catton did skate alongside each other but there has been no confirmation if they will play together.

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