A player on the market that has some term left and brings a reliable defensive game is Philadelphia Flyer Rasmus Ristolainen. Ristolainen is a big, imposing defenseman who thrives in physical play. He's not afraid to throw hits, clear the crease or engage in battles along the boards.

The metrics under the hood tell a curious story centered on one basic fact: Kakko and his linemates are on a shooting hot streak while Lafreniere and his linemates are in a shooting slump.

Instant chemistry between Kaapo Kakko and Matty Beniers has generated some cautious optimism for the Kraken, with both enjoying productive stretches.

Since being traded away by the New York Rangers, forward Kaapo Kakko has found a new home with the Seattle Kraken. Amid a hot streak, the 23-year-old Finn dropped a bold message, aiming at Peter Laviolette and his former team.

10. Mailbag: Bernie Rhode has a tip for Chris Drury: "Offer Jonathan Toews a PTO. The Rangers need a player like Toews because they still are sloppy defensively, particularly through the neutral zone. Toews is just the center to show this group how it's done."

Since the New York Rangers traded Kakko to Seattle, the young forward has been playing some of the best hockey of his career. The 23-year-old has recorded four goals, six assists and 10 points in 13 games while averaging 16:34 minutes. Confidence is the word Kakko used to describe his overall game and mental state.

“All the Finnish guys know each other, like, somehow,” Kakko said.

Kaapo Kakko scored twice in the third period, Joey Daccord made 33 saves and the Seattle Kraken overcame an early two-goal deficit to beat the Buffalo Sabres 6-2 on Saturday.

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) Kaapo Kakko scored twice in the third period ... Kraken: Rallied from a multi-goal deficit for an NHL-best sixth time, rebounding from a 6-2 loss in Columbus on Thursday ...

SEATTLE — Jaden Schwartz had a hat trick, Joey Daccord made 17 of his 28 saves in the third period and the Seattle Kraken beat the Los Angeles Kings 4-2 on Saturday night. Schwartz opened the scoring 28 seconds into the game and broke a 1-1 tie at 7:40. He completed the hat trick with an empty-netter in the third, his 16th goal of the season.

Jaden Schwartz had a hat trick in the Seattle Kraken’s 4-2 win against the Los Angeles Kings at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle on Saturday. Kaapo Kakko had three assists to extend his point streak to five games, and the Kraken (20-24-3) ended a three-game home losing streak (0-2-1). Joey Daccord made 28 saves.

Jaden Schwartz netted a hat trick and goaltender Joey Daccord staved off a furious third-period push as the Seattle Kraken opened a long home stretch with a 4-2 victory against the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday night.