The problem with keeping Kartye is the Kraken have fourth-line wingers Brandon Tanev and newcomer Yamamoto. Both are waiver exempt and could be sent to Coachella Valley, California, for regular pro playing time without fear of being claimed.īut is that really what’s best for the team? Will it be enough for Evans or Kartye to make the team?Īgain, that depends whether the Kraken are willing to sit either in the press box more than they would play in the AHL. He’s gained the offensive zone with ease and confidently directed the attack with split-second decisions and pinpoint passes. Edmonton managed just 14 shots all night, so the Kraken defense clearly enjoyed a solid outing with Evans holding his own.Įvans at times has seemed the best power-play QB the Kraken have had – whether that be Mark Giordano, Vince Dunn or Justin Schultz manning the point. The high-flying Oilers had just two shots in the second period despite three power-play chances. He also prevented a possible Edmonton goal on a prior power play by scrambling back the length of the ice to disrupt onrushing Edmonton forward Josh Holloway after a Kraken giveaway in the Oilers’ zone. In any event, Evans spearheaded the entire sequence. That unit accounted for the Kraken’s only goal when Evans kept a puck in at the point and flung a pass to Andrew Poturalski, who fired a shot toward the net front that was redirected by Jaden Schwartz past goalie Jack Campbell.Įvans would have drawn an assist had Spokane native Kailer Yamamoto not superfluously tapped the puck over the line when it was already headed into the net. “That’s really all I can control – your attitude and your effort.”Īs for Evans, he looked like an old hand in a top defensive pairing alongside Adam Larsson as well as “quarterbacking” the second power-play unit. “I’m definitely, obviously putting my best foot forward every time I step on the ice and that’s really all I can control,” Kartye said. No one seems to have to tell that to 5-11, 202-pound fireplug Kartye. Morgan Geekie was like that the times he’d use his 6-foot-3, 202-pound frame to win 1-on-1 puck battles and dictate the course of play.Įven Geekie admitted he’d have to remind himself just how big he is and to use his size. “And I’ve continued that to start the pro career and it’s just another tool in my toolbox.”Įven when not knocking opponents on their backsides, Kartye’s physical game can be a momentum turner in gathering loose pucks and directing them toward the net. “I think I kind of added that to my game in junior and it was successful,” Kartye said after Monday’s game. During his emergency Kraken playoff stint last spring, I counted two or three occasions where Kartye knocked an opposing player off his skates with an open-ice hit. That physical aspect to Kartye’s two-way game separates him from some other forwards who have worn the Kraken uniform. Fleury barely missed converting for a goal and then, as the puck headed back the other way, Kartye did what he’s known to do and knocked recovering Oilers defenseman Broberg to the ice. Kartye was even out killing penalties, blocking a Philip Broberg wrist shot and then racing up ice and feathering a pass to Cale Fleury off a 2-on-1 break after he’d stepped out of the box. Neither looked out of place and both seemed to be driving play whenever out there. Both had their talents on display in the Kraken’s 4-1 loss to the Edmonton Oilers on Monday night. That isn’t the case with Kartye and Evans. Wright has had a solid camp, but has yet to play a full professional season and the Kraken have better center options in terms of NHL readiness, special teams experience and faceoff ability. This is different from the Shane Wright situation. As far as proving they should be in the NHL, both have made their training camp case to where sending either back to the AHL seems a waste of time. No, if we’re being honest, the only discussion point should be about how much time you’d want either spending in a press box on nights they aren’t in the Kraken’s regular-season lineup. SEATTLE – At this point, the Kraken discussion around prospects Tye Kartye and Ryker Evans shouldn’t be about whether they’ve done enough to make the team.
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