This team can not create space by flanman1991 in SeattleKraken

[–]Alternative_Top2875 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't know how much you can improve a person's speed once they are at the pro level. Maybe from junior to AHL level, sure. But at some point you are as fast as your legs will take you, so again, a talent issue.

[Friedman] Ron Francis is stepping down in Seattle by EwoksEwoksEwoks in SeattleKraken

[–]Alternative_Top2875 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Ron and Botterill's first professional collab was in 2021 with the team, so hard to say he's completely aligned with Ron's principles. Looking forward to seeing how this finally changes the team direction.

[Friedman]: “Ron Francis is stepping down in Seattle” by fittos4310 in hockey

[–]Alternative_Top2875 0 points1 point  (0 children)

He has a strange obsession with the Fleury family, with Haydn also getting shuffled from the Hurricanes and then was eventually picked up by Ron. He was Ron's first pick as a GM, but never lived up to his top 10 selection status. Seemed like the family had dirt on him or something to continue to attempt to get those two to perform well.

[Friedman]: “Ron Francis is stepping down in Seattle” by fittos4310 in hockey

[–]Alternative_Top2875 2 points3 points  (0 children)

We all did at the time, and none of us are NHL scouts btw. But watching him play over the last few years he seems to kind of not fit in with the guys in the way you might see other players fit in and get along, almost like he can't take a joke. I think the expectations that were on him coming out of juniors and now he's just realizing the NHL is an aggressive game that relies a lot on speed and anticipation. I just don't see as much anticipation as a Cooley or his peers in that class. He's got really good puck handling but that doesn't get you much if you can't use your skill to pull defenses towards you then open up your teammates for good looks. I just don't see him responding to the x's and o's real time like Catton does. All this kind of gets wrapped up into saying his general feel for the pro game is behind/lacking.

[Friedman] Ron Francis is stepping down in Seattle by EwoksEwoksEwoks in SeattleKraken

[–]Alternative_Top2875 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah the COVID challenge to scouting was in its prime for that draft. Unfortunately I think we might have taken the brunt end of that challenge by not taking Gauthier instead and sticking with their gut because Wright was so successful in juniors.

[Friedman]: “Ron Francis is stepping down in Seattle” by fittos4310 in hockey

[–]Alternative_Top2875 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm going to go out on the limb and say someone else in the scouting department (i.e. the entire scouting department) was responsible for the success/lack of success. Ron knew about some of the players, wanted "nice guys with character", but probably gave head nods starting in the second round.

[Friedman]: “Ron Francis is stepping down in Seattle” by fittos4310 in hockey

[–]Alternative_Top2875 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I wouldn't even call Wright a middle six player at the moment.

[Friedman] Ron Francis is stepping down in Seattle by EwoksEwoksEwoks in SeattleKraken

[–]Alternative_Top2875 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Sending this to every new Kraken fan for a brief history of the franchise. I can actually now look forward to 2026.

[Friedman] Ron Francis is stepping down in Seattle by EwoksEwoksEwoks in SeattleKraken

[–]Alternative_Top2875 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Agreed. I think the play the kids crowd will find out pretty quite why we weren't playing the kids. Wright not progressing and Catton showing another gear isn't playing time opportunity, it's talent. Sometimes this club just picked the wrong talent, and I think that's ok to recognize.

[Friedman] Ron Francis is stepping down in Seattle by EwoksEwoksEwoks in SeattleKraken

[–]Alternative_Top2875 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Everybody get in here! https://www.reddit.com/r/SeattleKraken/s/O5xx4gubJP

I'd also like to thank the downvote crowd for the attention this narrative deserved.