2 weeks Ago By Kate Shefte from The Seattle Times
Daniel Sprong had fond memories of his 82 games in Seattle spread across two seasons. One was his best statistical season to date, and one of the very few campaigns he’s spent in one place since turning pro. He’s often on the move, only 27 but on his seventh NHL stop.
Kraken general manager Ron Francis picked up Sprong in a trade from the Washington Capitals in March of 2022 and offered him a chance to earn his spot back the next fall on a professional tryout. Sprong said he “ran with it" and became a 21-goal scorer in 2022-23 — no easy feat, especially on the fourth line. Sprong didn't want to hit the open market afterward but his new asking price didn’t fit into the Kraken budget.
After he signed a one-year, $2 million free-agent deal with the Detroit Red Wings, he said he texted those who helped him reach new heights in Seattle. Francis called him later and Sprong took the opportunity to thank him. “He said, ‘It's a small world.
You never know,’” Sprong recalled. Sure enough, he was back in Seattle a year and a half later, traded from the Vancouver Canucks for future considerations. In Detroit he nearly matched his point total from Seattle, scoring 18 goals to go with 25 assists in 76 games.
He didn’t re-up, as he said the Red Wings understandably wanted to prioritize their young prospects. The plan was to stick around Vancouver a while, but a month into the 2024-25 season, he was dealt again. Sprong declined to discuss the specifics of the trade, but indicated it wasn’t his idea.
"I was confused and shocked about the move,” Sprong said. “We talked it out. Didn't see it coming.
I didn't ask for any of it. But when I got told Seattle was one of the (potential) teams, I was really excited.” The trade was announced after 6 p.
m. PT on Nov. 8, a Friday afternoon, about an hour before the Kraken played the Vegas Golden Knights.
Sprong texted a few old friends on the team that he was on his way to the arena. But due to awkward timing, it took a full week for him to appear in a Kraken game. Kraken coach Dan Bylsma started a running joke about Sprong making the 150ish mile trek on foot, bag of gear over his shoulder.
Born in Amsterdam, Sprong moved to Canada as a child but remains only a citizen of the Netherlands. If he wanted to get paid, he needed a P1 visa, a nonimmigrant visa reserved for athletes, teams and entertainers who perform at an “internationally recognized” level. The embassies were closed Saturday and Sunday, and that week, Monday due to Veteran’s Day.
So the process really started Tuesday. It felt long, he said, but it was actually a 2-3 day turnaround. Nothing beats going up against other players in order to stay sharp, but Sprong did what he could and skated in Vancouver with a development coach until Thursday.
On Friday, he got an appointment and his passport back, then made his way to Seattle. He was in the lineup Saturday afternoon against the New York Islanders. Not ideal, but nearly necessary.
Kraken captain Jordan Eberle was injured and Sprong arrived before reinforcements from the Coachella Valley Firebirds of the American Hockey League. The style of play hasn’t changed that much since the last time he was in Seattle under former coach Dave Hakstol, he said. Just little tweaks here and there.
Bylsma was fine putting him out there so quickly because of “some familiarity, not only with what he can bring as a player, but familiarity with the group as well.” “I think he was excited about getting back with this group and getting back with some of our players,” Bylsma added. Sprong ran into Seattle's Brandon Tanev and Vince Dunn while training in the offseason and kept in touch with several others.
That didn't mean there wasn’t plenty to say. His Climate Pledge Arena locker stall is conveniently right next to old friend Andre Burakovsky, who joked that Sprong talked his ear off for an entire intermission. “Now I’m just ignoring him.
Enough is enough,” was Burakovsky’s update Thursday, before he switched to seriousness. “He was an important player for us when he was here, on the ice and in the locker room. It's good to have him back.
" In his third game back with the Kraken on Wednesday night, Sprong moved up to the second line, part of a trio where everyone brings something different. There’s pass-first center Chandler Stephenson, who mentioned after the game he was even more pass-first than usual these days, as he feels snakebit. On the other wing was Jaden Schwartz, who makes a beeline for the front of the net.
Then there’s Sprong, who has a great shot and is eager to use it. Kraken goaltender Joey Daccord said Sprong has one of the best shots he’s ever faced in practice. “You just kind of put it on his stick and it's in the net,” Stephenson said.
That happened on Wednesday’s opening goal. Stephenson was alone feet from the Predators’ net. He tapped the puck back to Sprong, who had an open look.
The Kraken (10-9-1) went on to win, 3-0. Sprong’s gone from a healthy scratch with Vancouver to the game-winning goal scorer in Seattle. He’s getting his timing back.
He pointed to his team-high six shots on goal against the Predators. “That's my game," he said. "If I'm walking out of a rink with one shot, offense-wise, I wasn't dangerous.
" “And of course, the coaching staff giving me an opportunity to play in the top six (forwards) gave me some confidence.” Is this that elusive long-term destination? As a certain GM once said, “you never know.” “I hope it’s here,” Sprong said.
“I never wanted to leave.”.
