The season saw a mind-boggling turnaround, but the Kraken wanted more.

TheyB次元官网网址檙e loaded with Stanley Cup winners, but also veterans whose time to lift the chalice is dwindling. ThereB次元官网网址檚 nothing to do but try again.

On Monday, his 33rd birthday, forward Jordan Eberle reflected on his latest, too-short chance to get his name hammered onto one of those silver rings.

B次元官网网址淵ou just grow. You remember how this feels,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淭his is a tough league to win in B次元官网网址� itB次元官网网址檚 a tough trophy to win. We have the foundation and the group here. We just want to keep building.

B次元官网网址淚t took me seven years to get to the postseason. You donB次元官网网址檛 want to take it for granted. These games are so much fun. This is why you play in the NHL B次元官网网址� you play to win the Stanley Cup.B次元官网网址�

EberleB次元官网网址檚 fellow alternate captain Adam Larsson, another veteran who hasnB次元官网网址檛 won a title, blocked six shots in MondayB次元官网网址檚 Game 7 that might have threatened the KrakenB次元官网网址檚 chance to advance. Two others sneaked by Philipp Grubauer (26 saves), however, and that was enough. The Kraken fell, 2-1, at American Airlines Center.

B次元官网网址淲e were one win away from having an opportunity to be one of the final four teams playing,B次元官网网址� coach Dave Hakstol said. B次元官网网址淪o you see that pain in guys, especially in the veteran guys who really understand how hard it is to get here.B次元官网网址�

There was pain, but also plenty to look forward to.

B次元官网网址淚 love this group,B次元官网网址� center Yanni Gourde said. B次元官网网址淚 think thereB次元官网网址檚 something here.B次元官网网址�

There are decisions ahead this summer and fall. Does playoff call-up Tye Kartye, who replaced Jared McCann while he was injured and held on to the 40-goal scorerB次元官网网址檚 spot even after he returned to the lineup, earn a permanent spot with the squad next season? Does fourth overall pick Shane Wright, whose Kraken debut never got off the ground?

Will Matty Beniers grow into the top-line center role he took on, and the captaincy he seems pointed toward? Will Grubauer build upon the second half of the season, and particularly his playoff performance?

ThereB次元官网网址檚 the matter of what to do with unrestricted free agents Ryan Donato, held without a goal in these playoffs, and defenseman Carson Soucy. They have a glut at goaltender at the moment, with pending UFA Martin Jones, a healthy Chris Driedger and minor-league mainstay Joey Daccord, who played well for Seattle on an emergency basis this season.

They can work the numbers, if desired, on restricted free agents Morgan Geekie, Daniel Sprong, Will Borgen and especially defenseman Vince Dunn, who is coming off a breakout regular season but put forth a quieter postseason.

And fresh off a turnaround campaign that earned Hakstol Jack Adams Award finalist honors for the NHLB次元官网网址檚 coach of the year, SeattleB次元官网网址檚 coaching staff could be eyed for other positions. Assistant coach Jay Leach was reportedly considered a front-runner for the Boston BruinsB次元官网网址� head-coaching vacancy last summer and interviewed for it.

Together they all crafted a style that worked, with a group made from found materials, plus the results of offseason tinkering.

B次元官网网址淗ad kind of a feeling about this group, really back in training camp,B次元官网网址� Hakstol said Monday. B次元官网网址淭here was a different feel to it. We knew there was something there. We didnB次元官网网址檛 know exactly how or when weB次元官网网址檇 be able to come together as a group, but absolutely, did we grow over the last month? One hundred percent.B次元官网网址�

Even if there was a lack of belief elsewhere, according to Eberle.

B次元官网网址淔rom Day One, everyoneB次元官网网址檚 kind of written us off B次元官网网址� they donB次元官网网址檛 expect us to make the playoffs, donB次元官网网址檛 expect us to beat Colorado,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淎nd IB次元官网网址檓 sure no one expected us to get to seven (games) here.B次元官网网址�

The desperation was there Monday night for the Kraken, who blocked six shots on a single first-period power play. The Stars actually got more shots through to the net on the penalty kill than they did on that power play. They forced Grubauer to make two short-handed saves, and registered none with the man advantage.

The Stars had the better chances at even strength, but the Kraken held them off the board for nearly 36 minutes of Game 7 before Jamie OleksiakB次元官网网址檚 attempt to corral the puck on his blue line turned into an around-the-back pass for former Stars teammate Roope Hintz. Hintz tore across the offensive zone before Borgen could panic-skate across the ice, and roofed it over Grubauer, who had been unshakable to that point B次元官网网址� he brushed that off, saying, B次元官网网址淭hatB次元官网网址檚 my job.B次元官网网址�

It took an artistB次元官网网址檚 hands to beat him the second time. Midway through the third period, Wyatt Johnston flipped a masterful shot over Grubauer and under the crossbar to make it 2-0.

B次元官网网址淭hey were relentless right up until the buzzer tonight. Hats off to them,B次元官网网址� Dallas coach Pete DeBoer said. B次元官网网址淩eally impressive season and effort from that group. They made us earn it.B次元官网网址�

Oliver Bjorkstrand wound up with all three of the KrakenB次元官网网址檚 Game 7 goals, scoring with Grubauer pulled for the extra attacker and 17.6 seconds left before elimination. It came soon for Seattle.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 really proud of this group and how we played the whole season and the playoffs,B次元官网网址� Grubauer said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a tough pill to swallow, for sure, in Game 7.B次元官网网址�

READ MORE: