Kraken notebook: Colin Blackwell enters COVID-19 protocol
It’s Mason Appleton’s turn to play against his former team.
The Kraken — coming off a loss to the Penguins — will face Winnipeg on Thursday. Appleton, who was drafted by the Jets in 2015, stayed there until he was selected by Seattle in the expansion draft. He played in 56 games for Winnipeg last season, finishing with 25 points (12 goals, 13 assists).
“It will be a fun game playing against a lot of my buddies,” Appleton said. “I spent my whole career there so it will be different at first. But at the end of the day, it’s a hockey game and I got to find a way to play well.”
Appleton has played in 14 games for the Kraken this season and has one goal and two assists. He said Thursday’s game would likely feel stranger if it was on the road instead of at Climate Pledge Arena.
“I think this will feel more normal than playing there since I just kind of started that way,” he said. “But it’s two months ago, obviously, so I’ve been with this group for a while so I’m excited to play with the old guys tomorrow.”
Practice intensity
Head coach Dave Hakstol said Tuesday’s practice wasn’t designed to a send a message, that the Kraken were just getting back to a hard-working mindset that was missing in Monday’s 6-1 loss to Pittsburgh.
But the players have hinted that Tuesday’s outing was more intense than usual. Captain Mark Giordano, who returned from COVID-19 protocol that day, said the practice was a tough one but also what he needed to get back in a rhythm.
The fiery practice was a response to the Kraken’s worst loss to the season — a defeat that came just as it seemed like they were turning a corner. Entering the game, Seattle had won five of its last seven.
At Wednesday’s practice, the mood seemed lighter.
“I was good,” Appleton said. “Obviously, a lot more mellow than yesterday. But we were able to get something done.”
Said Hakstol: “We had a competitive, hard-working day today. Today was just more feeling the puck and getting some good pace and some execution. It’s nice to have those breaks (between games). We don’t get many of them so it’s nice to be able to take advantage.”
COVID protocol
Forward Colin Blackwell is the latest Kraken player to enter COVID-19 protocol. Blackwell was on the ice for Tuesday’s practice, but was absent on Wednesday.
Giordano just returned to practice on Tuesday after spending 10 days in Florida in COVID protocol. Before the season, general manager Ron Francis said the Kraken were 100% vaccinated.
Jarnkrok returns to practice
Calle Jarnkrok returned to practice on Wednesday after missing Tuesday. He was on injured reserve and deemed a game-time decision for Monday, but didn’t play.
“I’ve been skating a lot lately,” Jarnkrok said, “so taking a day off the ice would be probably good.”
Jarnkrok has been away from the ice twice this season, once at the beginning of the year due to COVID protocol and then later with an injury. Hakstol said that’s made it difficult for him to “get into a real rhythm.”
“(That’s) something we’re hoping is in the near future for him,” Hakstol said. “He’s never really had a chance to hit his stride here. We have a pretty good idea of the positives and the things that he can bring to the table and the importance that he has to our team. But in reality, he’s never really been able to get into a rhythm. So, hopefully, that will happen.”
Jarnkrok has played in 14 of 25 games this season.
“It’s not ideal, for sure,” he said Wednesday. “But, you now, stuff happens all the time. We just have to deal with it and get back as soon as you can and just try to be better when you get back.”
