Joey Daccord entered the 2024-25 season as the clear starter for the Seattle Kraken. In 57 games, Daccord has played 38, with 19 wins. However, after Philipp Grubauer was placed on waivers on Jan. 29, the backup position has been uncertain. On Feb. 18, the team called up Ales Stezka from the Coachella Valley Firebirds. Stezka is a strong choice as the team heads into the final stretch of the campaign.
Grubauer Has Not Been up to the Challenge
In 21 games this season, Grubauer has just five wins, with a save percentage (SV%) of .866 – the lowest of his 13-year NHL career.
Grubauer is in the fourth year of a six-year contract signed by the Kraken in 2021. After clearing waivers, he joined the Firebirds, the team’s American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate.
Grubauer in Coachella Valley
Grubauer has played four games with the Firebirds, recording three wins (two in overtime), and a SV% of .907. In all three wins, he only allowed two goals, but he let four slip by him in the one loss that came at the hands of the San Diego Gulls on Feb. 15.
The Gulls are the worst team in the Pacific Division standings, ranked tenth, while the Firebirds are in fourth place. Most recently, Grubauer faced the Tucson Roadrunners on Feb. 19, who are in seventh place, and he was able to pull out the win. Hopefully, this win helped him regain some confidence after the loss to the Gulls.
Related: Kraken Place Goaltender Philipp Grubauer on Waivers
Sending him to the Firebirds was likely not a permanent solution. But Grubauer needs to find his game. Coachella Valley is the best place for him to be right now.
Stezka During His Time at Coachella Valley
This is Stezka’s second season in the AHL, both with the Firebirds. Last season, he played 27 regular-season games, with 18 wins, a SV% of .914, and a goals-against average (GAA) of 2.48. This season, Stezka’s statistics have taken a dive. In 25 games, he has just nine wins with an SV% of .902 and a GAA of 2.99.
In his latest game with the Firebirds, he recorded a win on Feb. 16 against the Bakersfield Condors. He let in three goals but made 31 saves, earning him a .912 SV%. The Firebirds and the Condors were tied 3-3 as the third period came to an end and the game went into overtime. The five minutes of overtime were not enough to determine the winner, so the game went to a shootout. The first two shots slipped past Stezka, but he didn’t allow the next three in the net. He was able to keep the Firebirds in the game, earning them more chances to come out with the win, which they did.
Kokko Is Needed in Coachella Valley
Nikke Kokko is the Firebirds’ current starting goalie. This is his first season in the AHL. He has played in 20 games so far this season, earning a SV% of .908 and a GAA of 2.52. Of the 20 games, he has earned 14 wins and four losses.
The Firebirds have a chance at making a playoff run for their third season in a row. To qualify for the playoffs, the Firebirds need to be in the top seven teams of the Pacific Division. They are currently ranked at number four. They have had another strong season. Although anything can happen between now and April, it is likely that the Firebirds will continue to play at the same level they have been. Due to this playoff chance, they are going to need to keep their starting goalie around. Kokko has kept them winning, so it is unlikely he will be leaving Coachella Valley any time soon.
Would Kraken Trade for a Goalie?
The Kraken have several issues that they need to address. As the trade deadline continues to grow closer, several names on the Seattle team are being thrown around as trade options. However, it is highly unlikely that the Kraken would trade for a goaltender. The Kraken are in desperate need of goal-scorers. If they are to make any moves before the trade deadline, they are more likely to pick up a forward or a high-scoring defenseman.
In Conclusion
Stezka is the strongest option for the Kraken at this moment. He has a full season of AHL hockey under his belt, as well as a portion of this season. Grubauer is still gaining more confidence in his abilities with the Firebirds. With back-to-back games for Coachella Valley, it is likely he will stay there to get some more preparation work in.
Kokko is the stronger of the two goalies, between him and Stezka, but he hasn’t completed a full AHL season yet. As the season comes closer and closer to a draw, the Firebirds will need Kokko if they expect to make a playoff push.
It’s not unheard of for younger goalies to get called up in the middle of the season. Take Daccord, for example. He played his first NHL game with the Ottawa Senators on April 4, 2019. He did not get called back up to the NHL until the 2020-21 season. Daccord stepped in to take the place of Marcus Hogberg, who was dealing with injury. His first game was on Feb. 27, 2021. Between then and March 17, he played in eight games before a season-ending injury. This was an unfortunate outcome for him, but on the bright side of things, he earned NHL experience. When he was called up to the NHL, it was in the middle of the season, right before the trade deadline. This is what the Kraken must do for Stezka.
The Kraken are currently in 28th place overall. It’s not like Seattle is vying for a playoff spot anytime soon. It’s time to give Stezka a chance as Daccord’s backup.
Back in Action on Saturday
The Kraken have back-to-back games this weekend. They face the Florida Panthers on Saturday, Feb. 22 and the Tampa Bay Lightning on Sunday, Feb. 23. Expect Stezka to make his NHL debut in one of these games.
