The Seattle Kraken made a significant move by reacquiring forward Daniel Sprong from the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for future considerations. Sprong, a Dutch winger, has already played for six different teams in the NHL since the 2018-19 season. He most recently played for the Detroit Red Wings, where he scored 18 goals and 43 points.
During his time with the Kraken, Sprong had his most productive season in 2022-23, scoring 21 goals and 46 points in 66 games. His offensive contributions were crucial in the team making the playoffs for the first time. However, the Kraken fell short of the playoffs in the following season, leading to changes in coaching staff.
With the team struggling to score goals early in the current season, Sprong’s return could provide a much-needed boost to their offense. Currently, only four players have accounted for half of the team’s goals, highlighting the need for more scoring depth. The Kraken are ranked 21st in the league with an average of 2.79 goals per game and are five points out of a playoff spot in the Western Conference.
The addition of Sprong could help alleviate some of the scoring pressure on key players like Jared McCann, Jordan Eberle, Brandon Montour, and Eeli Tolvanen. His familiarity with the team and previous success with them make him a valuable asset moving forward. The Kraken will be hoping that Sprong’s return will help them turn their season around and push for a playoff spot once again.