After the Vancouver Canucks traded Daniel Sprong to the Seattle Kraken in early November, his new team has now placed the forward on waivers.
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman broke the news on Wednesday morning:
Sprong, 27, has played 10 games with the Kraken since getting picked up, scoring one goal and one assist for two points in 12:22 minutes of average ice time. After Seattle acquired former second-overall pick Kaapo Kakko from the New York Rangers (in exchange for Will Borgen and a pair of draft picks), Sprong saw his minutes decrease and has been a healthy scratch for the past two games. He last suited up for the Kraken against the Canucks, where he tallied one assist in 10:12 minutes of ice time.
This marks his second stint in Seattle. The first, however, was much more successful. He spent two seasons with the Kraken, including his best season to date, scoring 21 goals and 25 assists for 46 points in 66 games, all while averaging just 11:25 minutes of ice time. While playing predominantly in a bottom-six role, the Dutch sniper’s shot was utilized on the power play, where he scored 14 goals that season.
As a free agent this season, Sprong had to wait until July 22nd to earn a contract, signing a one-year $975k contract with the Canucks.
In Vancouver, Sprong had trouble earning the trust of head coach Rick Tocchet due to his poor defensive play. He started the season on the top line with Elias Pettersson and Jake DeBrusk and scored the first goal of the Canucks’ season, displaying his quick shot on the second unit power play.
However, his Canucks tenure was short-lived, as he only suited up in nine games in Vancouver, scoring one goal and two assists for three points in 11:39 minutes of average ice time.
If Sprong is claimed, he will be on his third team this season and fifth in five years, hoping to find his footing as an NHL regular.
