The moves come less than three weeks after the Kraken assigned forward Daniel Sprong to Coachella Valley and are the latest for an organization that is looking to remain competitive in the NHL.

Another longtime NHL player is set to join the Coachella Valley Firebirds, at least for a short stint.

Seattle Kraken goaltender Philipp Grubauer cleared waivers on Thursday and has been assigned to the Firebirds, the Kraken announced.

The Kraken, Coachella Valley’s NHL affiliate, also announced Thursday that netminder Aleš Stezka and defenseman Cale Fleury have been recalled by Seattle and that forward John Hayden has been re-assigned to the Firebirds.

With Fleury being recalled, it means the Firebirds may need to find a replacement for the defenseman at this weekend’s American Hockey League All-Star Classic that will be held in the Coachella Valley.

The moves come less than three weeks after the Kraken assigned forward Daniel Sprong to Coachella Valley and are the latest for an organization that is looking to remain competitive in the NHL. With 30 games remaining in the regular season, Seattle is nine points out of the final spot to qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Kraken head coach Dan Bylsma spoke Thursday morning of assigning Grubauer to Coachella Valley.

“It’s a difficult thing of obviously Grubi,” Bylsma said. “But the rest of the guys as well because this is ultimately a team game, and we all bear the responsibility in the results of the team. I think it always is a difficult thing to see happen to your teammate.”

The German goaltender was the Kraken’s No. 1 goaltender and part of Seattle’s inaugural season in 2021-22. He signed a six-year, $35.4 million contract after earning recognition as a Vezina Trophy finalist, awarded to the NHL’s top goalie, with the Colorado Avalanche the year prior.

Over four seasons with the Kraken, Grubauer appeared in 151 games, compiling a 54-76-12 record, a 3.10 goals-against average and an .890 save percentage. Last season, while Grubauer sat with undisclosed injuries, former Firebirds netminder Joey Daccord moved into a more prominent role within the Kraken roster.

This season, with Daccord playing the best hockey of his career, Grubauer has struggled. He has a 3.83 GAA and .866 SV%, which are among the worst in the NHL, and the Kraken are just 5-15-1 when he’s been the primary netminder.

While it’s unclear how long Grubauer will remain with the Firebirds, it could be for just a short stint, until the 4 Nations Face-off, which begins Feb. 12. NHL teams will enjoy a break in the season, and Grubauer may rejoin the Kraken at that point. He can be recalled at any point during the rest of the season.

The Face-off will conclude Feb. 22. The Firebirds do not have another home game scheduled until Feb. 15, so it’s anyone’s guess as to whether fans will get to see Grubauer in action inside Acrisure Arena. But they will have home games on Feb. 16, 19 and 22.

“Sometimes players up there (in the NHL) either lose their confidence or coaches lose confidence in them,” said Troy Bodie, the Firebirds director of hockey operations. “Sometimes your guy needs to reset, come the AHL and find that touch again.”

Spong, who was assigned to the Firebirds prior to the Jan. 11 game against Chicago, scored four goals, including a pair of game-winners, in his first three games with Coachella Valley. He’s added a jolt of energy to the roster and it’s possible that Grubauer could do the same.

“Daniel showed his scoring touch in the first few games with us,” Bodie said. “It was really exciting. Coming to the AHL for these guys is about finding that consistency in their game again.”

Andrew John covers the Firebirds for The Desert Sun and the USA TODAY Network. Email him at andrew.john@desertsun.com.