On March 4, 2025, the Seattle Kraken faced off against the Minnesota Wild, with excitement brewing among fans as Yanni Gourde made his much-anticipated return to the ice after nearly two months sidelined by injury. Unfortunately, the Kraken's efforts to secure victory fell short as they lost the match 4-3 at Climate Pledge Arena.
Coach Dan Bylsma remarked on the team's performance, stating, "I thought there was a lot of good [in our game]... the puck went in a little too easily for various reasons at the beginning of the game." His words highlighted the defense's struggles, particularly at the start of the game, which saw the Wild quickly establish control.
Gourde, who had been out of action since January 2, 2025, due to sports hernia surgery, made his mark almost immediately upon his return. Logging 12:53 of ice time, Gourde assisted on Brandon Montour’s goal, narrowing the deficit to 4-3 with just 11 seconds remaining in the second period. Bylsma added, "We missed him since Jan. 2... his energy and his passion was noticeable for us to have him back." This sentiment underscored not only Gourde's ability but also his importance to the team's morale.
With the NHL Trade Deadline looming on March 7, 2025, Gourde's performance against the Wild may hold heavier meaning, especially as he has been frequently mentioned as a potential trade candidate. When asked about the deadline, Gourde stated, "I’m focusing on what I can control... and we’ll see what happens the next few days," demonstrating his professional demeanor amid trade speculation.
Meanwhile, Kraken forward Shane Wright continued to showcase his growth, scoring his team-leading seventh power-play goal during the game. The 21-year-old's confidence has noticeably surged over recent performances, and he expressed his commitment to continuous improvement: "I’m obviously trying to play confident... just kind of grow with every game I play." His development is promising for the franchise's long-term strategy as they hope to build around younger talents.
The game had its quirks; the Kraken opted not to challenge for goalie interference after Vinnie Hinostroza's opening goal at 12:27 of the first period. Bylsma explained the decision, noting, "They didn’t challenge because Jamie Oleksiak pushed Hinostroza." A missed high-stick call later saw the Kraken successfully challenge, preventing the Wild from extending their lead.
Seattle struggled defensively, after allowing Minnesota to jump out to a 4-1 lead, punctuated by goals from Hinostroza, Jared Spurgeon, Frederick Gaudreau, and Mats Zuccarello. Kraken goalie Joey Daccord faced just 20 shots during the contest and ended with an .800 save percentage, which reflected the challenging night for the team.
Despite the defeat, the Kraken tightened their grip on the game as it progressed, generating chances and controlling the ice for the final 27 minutes. Still, it was too late to recover the earlier deficit. Bylsma noted the importance of tightening defensive play, saying, "There was a lot of good [in our game], but we can’t keep falling behind early. We need to come out stronger from the get-go.”
On this night, Gourde's excitement for returning to action was palpable. "It was a lot of fun to be out there and play with the guys tonight," he said, reflecting on the joy of returning to the rink. His energy and persistence were evident as he fought for pucks and pressured opponents, showcasing his competitive nature.
Looking forward, with Gourde and Wright thriving and the speculated trades casting shadows over the roster, the Kraken are at a pivotal point as they navigate through the season. With the trade deadline approaching, changes could soon reshape the team dynamic, making every game significant.
Fans are left to ponder what the next couple of days might bring and how games like this will influence management's decisions moving forward. Will Gourde finish this chapter with the Kraken, or will his next game mark the next stage of his career? Only time will tell.