The Deep Dive - A Seattle Kraken Podcast by Emerald City Hockey

Matty Beniers injured, will miss All-Star Game

We reflect on 30 years of Gary Bettman as NHL commissioner (0:48), recap the last week of Kraken hockey (4:12), Talk Matty Beniers' injury (22:00), Joonas Donskoi's injury and the way the league handles concussions (43:34), and add an addendum on Beniers missing the All-Star game in favor of a Vegas Golden Knight (1:07:17)

ECH Postgame Live - Kraken vs. Blue Jackets

ECH Postgame Live - Kraken vs. Flames

ECH Postgame Live - Kraken vs. Canucks

Bo Horvat and Skills Showcase

We catch up on the year of the Kraken (1:24), Should the Kraken trade for Bo Horvat? (13:06) and RJ recaps the Kraken's second annual Super Skills Showcase (42:14)

ECH Postgame Live - Kraken vs. Avalanche

ECH Postgame Live - Kraken vs. Devils

ECH Postgame Live - Kraken @ Oilers

Midseason Player Grades

We look back at the Kraken's historic 7 game road trip (2:50), The target they now have on their back (10:39), and a possibly unsustainable shooting percentage (16:35). Then we get into midseason player grades! (28:00)

ECH Postgame Live - Kraken @ Bruins

ECH Postgame Live - Kraken @ Sabres

All-Star Beniers, Golden Wright, and Starter Jones

We talk about Shane Wright's WJC gold medal win, OHL assignment, and imminent trade (3:41), Matty Beniers' All-Star selection (20:07), Martin Jones taking over the Kraken crease (33:40), and the Kraken's stellar road record (48:15).

Seattle Is Hosting The Winter Classic!

We start with the big news that the Kraken will host the 2024 Winter Classic (1:00), Then talk about motivation to stop losing streaks (31:02), Eeli Tolvanen's Kraken debut and forward lines (39:52), and the recent Kraken goalie discourse (49:18).

Winter Mailbag

In this episode, we go over some quick Kraken news hits (0:48), Dylan tells us about the first ever Firebirds home game (14:32), then we dive into the mailbag and answer your Kraken questions (38:43).

New Faces, Blue Shells, And First Goals

In this episode, we welcome the newest Kraken Eeli Tolvanen (4:44), talk Karson Kuhlman being waived (13:16), Gustav Olofsson recall (15:15), and Shane Wright WJC preview (18:52). Then we look at last week's games (26:10), and do a Kraken Mario Kart Deep Dive (45:40).

Shane Wright vs. Montreal Canadiens

We talk Shane Wright's return and upcoming game against Montreal (0:54), SEAHAC (25:46), and the Kraken's PK struggles (49:52).

Is Shane Wright Too Good For The AHL?

In this episode, we dive right into Shane Wright's impressive start in the AHL and ask if he's too good to stay there (2:03), Then cover some quick hits: Morgan Geekie's injury (19:34), Magnus Hellberg leaving via waivers (24:42), and Seattle's record-setting crowd for the USA-Canada Women's game (27:20). Finally, we talk about the red-hot Kraken and break down three more wins (34:14).

Working Overtime (and Shane Wright to AHL)

3:16 rangers game 18:53 Kings game 31:31 What they've worked on 44:41 Bjorkstrand 52:58 Shane Wright 1:00:43 Quick Hits

A Win, A Loss, And The Discipline Game

In this episode, we recap this week's games (0:45), Talk about Carson Soucy's undisciplined penalty (15:57), Seattle's overtime struggles (33:42), Reverse Retro jerseys (40:45), the goaltending situation and return of Magnus Hellberg (47:40), and a potential Shane Wright AHL loan (51:53)

3 Up, 3 Down

In this episode, we take a hard-hitting look at the latest mini mic video (1:25), recap this week's three wins (7:25), ask which areas the Kraken can improve next (32:48), talk about playoffs(?!) (41:15), the goalie situation (44:44), and Shane Wright (56:12).

Best Week Of The Season?

In this episode, we recap last week's Kraken homestand (1:53), take an analytics-driven look at team stats (23:48), D pairs (32:16), and forward lines (38:33), and look at the no-win Shane Wright situation (44:26).

Episode 60 - Is This Team Good?

Is this team good? This week, we attempt to answer that very tricky question. We look at the forward group's success (2:25),  defensive struggles (8:17), how much falls on the coach (14:15), inconsistency of focus (19:27), Ron Francis' mid-game observation (28:50), and reasons for optimism (36:23). Then we close things out with the Coachella Valley Firebirds, who are off to a 3-1-0 start (49:49).

Episode 59 - New Season, New Kraken?

In this episode, we break down the first three games of the regular season (2:30), ask what the plan is with 2x healthy scratch Shane Wright (23:43), examine Hakstol's early season line shuffling (39:58), ask if Hakstol is coaching desperate (47:13), and celebrate the Firebirds' first ever win (1:00:50)

Episode 58 - And Your 2022-23 Kraken Roster Is...

In this episode, we break down the Kraken's final two preseason games (0:51), Dylan breaks out the whiteboard to explain a new Kraken tactic (11:00), we take a look at the final roster cuts to see who made the team (32:20), discuss the captaincy situation (47:55), and make some early season Kraken predictions (53:05).

Episode 57 - Yeah Buoy!

In this episode, we break down the Kraken's first four preseason games (4:02), then we discuss Shane Wright (15:48), Matty Beniers (24:00), Oliver Bjorkstrand (25:40), Andre Burakovsky (30:11), Justin Schultz (37:47), roster cuts (46:04), Firebirds training camp (1:00:55), Chris Driedger's new charity (1:06:40), and the Kraken's brand new mascot Buoy (1:11:47).

Episode 56 - Training Camp Takeaways

On this episode of the pod, RJ gives us all the latest and greatest from the start of Kraken training camp, including: who's stood out to him (1:38), early looks at line combinations (9:48) and special teams units (25:40), how the younglings Matty Beniers and Shane Wright are looking (40:24), the return of Turbo (1:10:01), a quick goalie report (1:04:07) and mascot news (1:08:26)!

Episode 55 - Training Camp Preview

In this episode, we start by debating who would win in a fight between a Kraken and 1,000 ducks (1:24), talk about the Daniel Sprong PTO (10:50), the Kraken training camp roster (13:05), and Alexandra Mandrycky being named assistant GM (17:45). Then RJ tells us about his experience being coached by Dave Hakstol at the first ever Kraken Media Clinic (21:30) and we look at some of the biggest Kraken training camp storylines (32:50).

Episode 54 - Fixing The Powerplay

In this episode, we share our answers to last week's Kidz Bop question (1:53), then look at the Kraken's national TV schedule (8:39), some creative elements we'd like to see on the next Kraken jersey (21:25), and do a deep dive into what changes we'd make to improve the Kraken's unsuccessful 1-3-1 powerplay (34:14).

Episode 53 - Identity Theft Is Not A Joke!

In this episode, Dylan tells his recent identity theft story (0:17) and RJ gives a surprise challenge to Dylan for once (5:27). Then we discuss listener feedback about the new Portland Winterhawks jerseys (13:56), The Seattle Kraken band (20:06), Cale Fleury's new contract (27:40), Ryan Clark joining ESPN (32:18), New ice at Climate Pledge Arena (37:50), JT Miller's Canucks extension (39:17). Finally we take a deep dive into how Matty Beniers and Shane Wright will be treated by the rest of t...

Episode 52 - Burakovsky, Schultz, and Doug Wilson Jr.

This week, we talk about Trevor Zegras and Sarah Nurse on the cover of NHL 23 (0:07), the Andre Burakovsky and Justin Schultz presser (8:06), and a trio of Kraken hockey ops hires (36:08).

Episode 50 part 2 - Your Kraken Memorable Moments

In Part 2 of our 50th episode celebrating the Kraken's inaugural season, we listen to all the memorable Kraken moments you shared with us.  Big thanks to everyone who reached out with a memory and made this episode so special.

Episode 50 part 1 - Kraken Memorable Moments

It's our 50th episode of The Deep Dive and we want to celebrate with the ECH Community! Call us at (425) 243-7053 and share your favorite moments from last season. In this episode, we cover Eddie Olczyk's official Kraken introduction (7:02), The Firebirds' four games in Seattle (14:07), Alison Lukan's permanent role and Nick Olczyk joining the broadcast (23:53) Then we count down our Top 10 moments from the Kraken's inaugural season (26:53).

Episode 49 - En Fuego

Lots to cover this week as we talk about the women's USA-CAN rivalry series (1:30), new Firebirds mascot Fuego (3:40), Samuel Bucek signing in the KHL (7:42), new assistant coach Dave Lowry (10:08), Oliver Bjorkstrand's new jersey number (18:45), Media availabilities with Bjorkstrand, Jones, and Kempny (23:55), Reverse Retro jerseys (40:45), and Kraken summer vacation plans (55:16).

Episode 48 - It’s Not Delivery, It’s Donato

In this episode, we introduce some exciting August content (1:44), then discuss new player jersey numbers (6:30), the Kraken's new ECHL affiliate (23:33), some big Pacific Division moves (28:34), and Ryan Donato returning to Seattle (42:00), 

Episode 48 - It's Not Delivery, It's Donato

In this episode, we introduce some exciting August content (1:44), then discuss new player jersey numbers (6:30), the Kraken's new ECHL affiliate (23:33), some big Pacific Division moves (28:34), and Ryan Donato returning to Seattle (42:00), 

Episode 47 - Bjorkstrand and Edzo

In this episode, we do some quick hits on Morgan Geekie's extension (1:08), The Firebirds schedule release (4:32), and Shane Wright on Welcome to the NHL (7:50). Then we dive into Eddie Olczyk joining the Kraken broadcast (13:58) and the Oliver Bjorkstrand trade (23:14).

Episode 46 - Dev Camp Recap

We start by talking about a few more Kraken free agent signings (1:53), and some big names left on the market (7:43).  Then we take a deep dive into the Kraken's development camp and some of the top players there: Matty Beniers (19:07), Shane Wright (25:36), Jagger Firkus (34:22), Ty Nelson (40:29), Ryker Evans (46:03), Jani Nyman (51:02), Niklas Kokko (55:54), David Goyette (1:01:58) Others (1:05:12)

Episode 45 - Free Agency Preview

Free agency starts tomorrow and RJ & Dylan have you covered with a deep dive into this year's free agent market. Kraken RFAs (1:07), Free agent strategy (8:22), Forwards (21:18), Defense (1:09:04), Goalies (1:23:39)

Episode 44 - Shane Wright and Draft Recap

The Kraken have drafted Shane Wright with the 4th pick in the 2022 Draft! We talk about the Shane Wright pick and what he means for the Kraken (4:08), Jagger Firkus in the 2nd round (28:27), and evaluate the other 9 picks in this year's draft (35:35)  Finally we cover some Kraken news: Development Camp (11:11:00), Steve Briere (1:13:11), Jessica Campbell (1:15:43)

Episode 43 - NHL Draft Preview

It's time for our NHL Draft preview! We start with some news about discounted Kraken tickets (3:58) and have a necessary conversation about the Kraken's core (11:52). Then we dig into the mailbag and answer your questions about the 2022 NHL Draft (19:22).

Episode 42 - Driedger Injury, Jay Leach Rumors, & More

In this episode, we discuss the fallout from Chris Driedger's ACL injury (4:42), Jay Leach to Boston rumors (23:49), Seattle's broadcast finishing 2nd in The Athletic's broadcast rankings (33:15), another European free agent signing (42:10), and a pair of Kraken players hanging out with PK Subban (48:56).

Episode 41 - Expansion Draft Re-Draft

In this much-anticipated episode, we re-draft the Kraken's expansion draft with the benefit of a year's worth of hindsight (3:56)

Episode 40 - Season Review Part 2: Player Grades

We start part two of our Season Review with some news: Should the Kraken hire Barry Trotz? (2:23),  Kraken players going to IIHF Worlds (11:29), and a pair of signings (14:29). Then we move on to player grades. Goalies: (18:11) Defensemen: (29:15) Forwards: (50:16)

Episode 39 - Season Review Part 1

In Part 1 of our season review, RJ dives into what he learned at the Kraken's end-of-season media day (0:06), and we look at some big-picture takeaways from the Kraken's season as a whole (42:48). 

Episode 38 - Everything Everywhere All At Once

Lots to cover in this week's The Deep Dive. RJ recaps news from today's practice including injury updates (2:55), Jaden Schwartz's nomination for the Masterton Trophy (5:15), Dennis Cholowski's call-up (7:37), and Joey Daccord's wild ride back to Seattle (11:25). Then Dylan shares his experiences from the Kraken's recent three game win streak (24:00) and we break down the subsequent two game losing streak (41:44). Finally, we look into the possibility of trading for Kevin Fiala (45:07) an...

Episode 37 - Matty Beniers Has Arrived

We can't help but rave about Matty Beniers some more in this episode, talking about his style of play (2:58), Hakstol's praise (13:14), Media focus on Beniers' age (16:36), Matty's linemates (25:15), and teammates taking him under their wing (39:22). Then we look into a recent tactical change and its effect on the Kraken D (43:47).

Episode 36 - Matty Beniers is a Kraken!

Matty Beniers has signed with the Seattle Kraken!  In this week’s podcast, we discuss when we can expect to see him on the ice (2:25), how his entry-level contract works (7:07), what we're looking for in tomorrow's practice (11:15), where we’d put him in the lineup (14:13), and what our expectations are for him this season (30:28).

Episode 35 - Hakstol, Goalies, and Leadership

It's a Dave Hakstol-centric episode of The Deep Dive this week, as we tackle a few questions and issues with the Kraken's coaching. Kole Lind's first NHL goal (5:00) Seattle's new-look forward lines (7:33), Listener question about how line combos work (12:05), Hakstol's line shuffling (20:10), Chris Driedger seeing a sports psychologist (29:02), Hakstol's comments to the media (40:40), The two SEA-VGK games (49:45).

Episode 34 - A Deep Dive Into Vegas With SinBin.vegas' Ken Boehlke

In this episode, SinBin.Vegas' Ken Boehlke joins us to talk Golden Knights and Kraken ahead of the two SEA-VGK games this week. What's gone wrong for VGK this season? (1:20), How do SEA and VGK philosophies differ? (8:34), Dadonov trade (12:51), SEA-VGK rivalry (22:00), Growing the game (29:13), Eichel trade (36:56), Thoughts on Seattle (44:00).

Episode 34 - A Deep Dive Into Vegas With SinBin.vegas’ Ken Boehlke

In this episode, SinBin.Vegas' Ken Boehlke joins us to talk Golden Knights and Kraken ahead of the two SEA-VGK games this week. What's gone wrong for VGK this season? (1:20), How do SEA and VGK philosophies differ? (8:34), Dadonov trade (12:51), SEA-VGK rivalry (22:00), Growing the game (29:13), Eichel trade (36:56), Thoughts on Seattle (44:00).