With Philipp Grubauer out of action, Martin Jones gets to be the Seattle Kraken’s prime goalie. Jones has constantly finished his best function on the West Coastline.
When the Seattle Kraken signed Martin Jones on the initial day of totally free agency, numerous admirers were being remaining scratching their heads. Why would Ron Francis sign a further NHL goaltender? In particular 1 that has been participating in well underneath regular the previous number of many years. Numerous things went into the final decision.
Driedger Damage
Chris Driedger was eventually finding his variety in the offseason. He stole the crease for Group Canada in the Environment Championships and led them to the Gold Medal match.
In the 3rd period, Driedger built an awkward save. Future factor, he’s lying on his back again in excruciating pain. Driedger tore his correct ACL and right away underwent surgical procedures.
His restoration time was slated to be 8 months the soonest Driedger could reasonably return to the Seattle Kraken lineup would be January 2023. By that time, 50 % the season would be misplaced.
Based on his dreadful stats from the inaugural time, Francis couldn’t financial institution on Philipp Grubauer profitable game titles from the crease. Insert AHL goaltender Joey Daccord.
Joey Daccord
Several Seattle Kraken followers immediately assumed the injury would result in Joey Daccord finding his time to glow in the NHL. The only difficulty is that Joey Daccord is no lengthier waiver-exempt.
What would Seattle do come January when Driedger returns? If the Kraken place Daccord on waivers mid-season, making an attempt to return him to Coachella Valley, probabilities are he would not crystal clear.
Yet another group could decide him up, and the Kraken get nothing in return. Francis was not about to gamble on that. Primarily if Daccord is Seattle’s goalie of the long term.
Giving him a entire year as a #1 goaltender in the AHL will help develop his self-confidence. Daccord’s time is coming – it just is not in this article however.
The only possibility Francis experienced still left was to go right after a backup goalie in the offseason.