Kraken News
The Kraken are kicking off their road trip out East today against the Detroit Red Wings.
After Saturday’s win over the Sharks, the Kraken are off to their best start in franchise history with a 9-4-5 record. Their 23 points are tied for second-most in the Pacific Division.
Seattle’s also been doing it without several of their best players, as goalie Joey Daccord and wings Jared McCann and Kaapo Kakko are currently on the injured reserve. A win today could pull the Kraken into a tie with Anaheim for the division lead.
They’re facing a Red Wings team that has the same amount of points and could also take hold of their division with a win.
Coverage begins at 3:30 and puck drops at 4:00 on KPUG.
Mariners News
We’re getting more details surrounding Josh Naylor’s much-anticipated contract with the Mariners.
ESPN reports that the five-year deal is worth $92.5 million and includes a full no-trade clause.
The team held a press conference with Naylor and members of the front office earlier today to make the signing official. The team made it known that re-signing Naylor was a top priority this offseason after he gave them a spark at first base as a critical acquisition at the trade deadline.
The Mariners have now secured their offensive core of Naylor, Julio Rodriguez and Cal Raleigh through the 2030 season.
Meanwhile, a Mariners legend is getting another go at Cooperstown.
Felix Hernandez is one of 27 players that will be on the ballot for the 2026 Baseball Hall of Fame class. He came up short in his first year on the ballot last year when he garnered just over 20% of votes, which was a ways away from the 75% needed to be inducted.
Felix is one of five former Mariners who are on the ballot, including Alex Rodriguez, Omar Vizquel, Shin-Soo Choo and Edwin Encarnacion. Results will be announced on Jan. 20, 2026.
WWU Vikings News
Western women’s soccer is heading back to the Big Dance.
The Vikings were selected as the top seed in the West Region for the NCAA D-II Women’s Soccer Championships yesterday. It’s the 12th time in the last 13 years they’ve made the national tournament and fifth time as a No. 1 seed.
They secured one of four at-large berths in the West after missing out on an automatic bid in their GNAC title game loss to Simon Frasier.
The Viks will have a first-round bye before hosting the winner of Azusa Pacific and Point Loma at Harrington Field in Bellingham on Saturday. They still only have one loss on the season.
HS Volleyball News
Lynden cleaned up in the postseason prep volleyball awards yesterday.
Chris Elsner won Northwest Conference Coach of the Year after leading the Lions to their first state championship in program history over the weekend.
Lynden junior Finley Parcher took home conference Player of the Year. The Lions had two more players named to the All-Conference 1st Team.
Sehome, Ferndale and Nooksack Valley each had two players notch 1st Team recognition as well.
Meridian’s Melanie Short also earned a 1st Team nod after the Trojans ended as runners-up at state for their best finish in over 20 years.
