Jan. 9: Sprong has cleared waivers, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports. He must be assigned to Coachella Valley within 30 days before needing to clear waivers again.
Jan. 8: The Kraken placed winger Daniel Sprong on waivers Tuesday, intending to assign him to AHL Coachella Valley, according to a team announcement.
Seattle picked up Sprong, 27, in a trade with the Canucks in November in exchange for future considerations. The Kraken were hoping to get the kind of production out of Sprong they got two years ago when he posted a career-best 21 goals and 46 points in only 66 appearances, but things haven’t gone to plan.
Sprong’s tumultuous season thus far comes after a turbulent summer during which, despite recording 43 points in 76 games for the Red Wings last season, Detroit opted not to qualify him and let him become an unrestricted free agent. The Amsterdam native unexpectedly had to wait nearly three weeks to land a deal, eventually signing a one-year, $975K commitment with the Canucks.
Most expected Vancouver to have Sprong factor in as a complementary top-nine piece, potentially even on Elias Pettersson’s wing, but that experiment didn’t last very long. He also bounced around lines with Pius Suter and Aatu Räty down the middle, averaging 11:39 per game and recording three points until the Canucks decided to cut bait after just nine games and traded him back to Seattle.
Sprong likely desired the move – he would have gotten a bit more playing time in a familiar environment where he’s had success before. He’s barely been utilized by new head coach Dan Bylsma, though, sitting in the press box for most of his second stint in the Emerald City. He’s logged only 10 appearances since the trade, including just four since the beginning of December, posting a goal and an assist with a plus-one rating.
Playing time became more scarce for Sprong last month when the Kraken acquired winger Kaapo Kakko from the Rangers. He’s sat in the press box for four straight now and hasn’t landed a job ahead of the newcomer or depth players like Tye Kartye. His inability to play down the middle has left him on the outside looking in, even with Yanni Gourde on injured reserve.
This season may not be pretty for Sprong, with five points through a combined 19 games, but teams should be willing to take a flyer based on his recent history of depth scoring. Despite averaging fewer than 12 minutes per game across the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons, he managed 39 goals and 89 points in 142 games for Seattle and Detroit – good for 0.63 per game.
Dang. This dude can score.
Not lately……..
And his opponent can score even easier when he is on the ice. One way player, most teams can’t afford that.
I don’t think he’ll clear.
Still crazy how he pulled 18 and 21 goals seasons playing no more than 3rd line minutes
Not really…his wrist shot is sick, but the rest of his game is diseased.
Hey Wilf Kesler, looks like you keep your streak of incorrect takes alive – well done! Guessing that your amusing prediction that the Wild will be waiving Filip Gustavsson this season won’t age well either and won’t get you that long awaited W.
I can’t help but not see the bridge from Coachella valley doing well to the kraken doing well. As much as I like Meyers, Stephens, Mahura, Hayden.. I don’t think they have a lot of value and they certainly don’t have the entertainment and merch value of yanni or turbo
They also don’t have the trade value of yanni or turbo. I’m not advocated moving either guy, just reminding people that the return is part of the equation.
Ron Francis is doing Ron Francis things