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Before opening night time, it’s relative Kraken newcomer Matty Beniers’ solemn obligation to cross alongside locker-room knowledge to true newcomer Shane Wright.
“[Ryan] Donato told it to me my first [NHL] game, I think I said the same thing to him — ‘You’ll never feel better ever again in your life, in a hockey game, ever,’ ” Beniers stated. “You have endless legs. You can skate as fast as you can all the time.
“It’ll be exciting for him and for all of us to see him out there. Hopefully he pots [scores] one for us.”
The Beniers-Wright period begins Wednesday night time, with each youngsters. Training camp is over. The enemy is not sore hips or summer season cobwebs — it’s the Anaheim Ducks.
“They have great work ethic. They’re great kids,” ahead Yanni Gourde stated of Beniers and Wright. “They love to learn, they love to be out there and try new stuff.
“That’s the key at this level. If you want to stick around, you have to be willing to work really hard and put the effort in every single day. That’s what they’re doing.”
Wednesday marks Beniers’ eleventh NHL regular-season recreation and first season opener, however he stated feels prefer it’s another recreation. He added 11 or 12 kilos within the offseason, which helps him within the corners. He scored in all 4 preseason outings. He needs to maintain producing and keep wholesome.
“I would like to make it to the playoffs,” he stated.
The Kraken kick issues off with a back-to-back set in California. They face the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday earlier than returning for Saturday night time’s house opener at Climate Pledge Arena.
The Ducks had been the Kraken’s closest neighbor on the backside of the Pacific Division standings final season, however Anaheim nonetheless completed 16 factors forward of the first-year franchise. They’re each thought of postseason lengthy pictures, relying on younger stars to make critical headway or a minimum of work towards a brighter future.
Trevor Zegras, Jamie Drysdale and Mason McTavish are within the subsequent wave of expertise for the Ducks, after Ryan Getzlaf — Anaheim’s all-time chief in factors and video games performed — retired following 17 seasons and 12 as captain.
The Kraken had been nonetheless engaged on themselves, however coach Dave Hakstol stated they’ll break down the Ducks earlier than the primary of 4 conferences.
“The reality is that you get a good workday in, you get to get on a flight and get ready for a real game,” Hakstol stated. “That’s what we’ve all worked toward.”
Forward Joonas Donskoi (higher physique) will start the season on injured reserve, along with goaltender Chris Driedger, who’s recovering from surgical procedure on a torn ACL. Jaden Schwartz (decrease physique) was a full observe participant Tuesday at Kraken Community Iceplex and will play Wednesday. Daniel Sprong is coping with immigration paperwork and will be part of the workforce in California.
The prime two line teams remained principally untouched from Monday to Tuesday, however with Schwartz again Gourde shifted from winger to heart.
Hakstol has choices in Gourde, normally listed as a middle however with what the coach referred to as “energy and playmaking ability” on the wing.
“We’re going to have some different options from night to night. That’s one look that we may go with,” Hakstol stated. “You haven’t seen it over the last couple days of practice, but we wanted to get that in today.”
When the anthem finishes, the music quiets and the puck hits the dot at heart ice Wednesday, all of it counts.
“It doesn’t matter whether you’re in Year 1 or Year 20, you still get those jitters,” alternate captain Jordan Eberle stated. “That’s why you play.
“More than anything, I’m just excited about the group we have here and what we can do.”
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