Ben Meyers and Ryan Winterton are doing everything in their power to earn a roster spot for opening night when the Seattle Kraken host the St. Louis Blues.
Ben Meyers and Ryan Winterton are doing everything in their power to earn a roster spot for opening night when the Seattle Kraken host the St. Louis Blues.
Ben Meyers and Ryan Winterton are doing everything in their power to earn a roster spot for opening night when the Seattle Kraken host the St. Louis Blues.
Meyers and Winterton will be dressing in their fourth consecutive game as they each continue to show the Kraken coaching staff that they are ready for NHL hockey. Meyers has points in all three games including two goals and four points. Winterton has a goal and three points in his three games of action and has been creating chances as frequently as any other player on the roster.
Against the Edmonton Oilers, both Meyers and Winterton were the standout performers with Meyers scoring a goal and an assist in just over 10:00 of time on ice.
Winterton was a third-round pick (67th overall) in the 2021 NHL draft. Since the selection, he's gone on to win the OHL championship with the Hamilton Bulldogs and then lose in the finals with the London Knights the following year. The 2023-24 campaign was his first season of professional hockey with the Coachella Valley Firebirds and he produced outstanding stats for an AHL rookie. In 58 games he scored 22 goals and 35 points and chipped in another seven goals and 12 points in 18 playoff games.
His play was rewarded as he appeared in nine games last season with the Kraken. Averaging just 9:20 of time on ice made it hard for the 21-year-old to make a massive impact but he showed flashes of what he is capable of.
His strong play during pre-season hasn't gone unnoticed. Playing again tonight is a sign that the Kraken are attempting to give him every chance to make the team. The current roster looks full but injuries occur and if they do, he's done a lot of good for himself to hear his name called first when they need depth.
Winterton's competition is Meyers, and the two are very different, both stylistically and physically. Meyers is listed at 5'11, 194 lbs and Winterton is 6'2 190 lbs. Winterton is a shooter with strong playmaking instincts which makes him an offensive dynamo on the wing and at centre. Meyers on the other hand is a reliable two-way forward and a playmaker. Age also plays a factor when comparing the two as Meyer is almost five years older than Winterton.
A benefit for the Kraken is that they are versatile with the ability to play up the middle and on the wing.
Meyers hasn't had much success in the NHL but the experience he's picked up has been evident in the pre-season. He's been driving the play on offence but still aware of his defensive responsibilities.
Tonight against the Calgary Flames is another opportunity for Meyers and Winterton to give HC Dan Bylsma more to think about. Meyers is on a one-way, one-year contract giving him the advantage to stay up with the Kraken. Winterton is still on his entry-level contract and is waivers exempt leaving the Kraken no risk when sending him to the AHL.
The business side of the sport will likely play a factor in the final decision.
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