It’s time for another edition of NHL rumours. We’re nearing the end of the Four Nations Faceoff break. However, the rumour mill hasn’t stopped turning. We could see some deals happening in the run up to March 7 trade deadline. There have already been some massive moves. However, more could be coming in the next few weeks. One team that could be a seller at the trade deadline is the Seattle Kraken. This edition of NHL rumours deals with what players that Kraken could deal at the deadline.
All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
Seattle Kraken Could Trade Off Some Key Players
Rumour: Katie Shefte of The Seattle Times broke down which Seattle players could be dealt at the deadline. The Kraken have a number of players that are in the final year or with one season after this one of their respective contracts. These players could be had for the right deal.
Analysis: Seattle is 11 points off a wild card spot in the Western Conference and are likely to be moving assets at the deadline. Kraken General Manager Ron Francis knows there are some players that could fetch a decent return.
There are number of players that will be unrestricted free agents at the end of this season or the next one. Players with a contract beyond the end of this one could be harder to move. However, these players could be moved for the right price.
We already discussed forward Yanni Gourde in a previous edition of NHL rumours. However, there are others that could be available according to Shefte. A number of these players come with a mid-range cap hit.
Some teams could be scared off by the bigger cap hits. However, Seattle has all three salary cap retention slots still available. It may not be ideal, but Francis does have that as a tool to use.
What it Means
One name that’s getting a lot of looks is Brandon Tanev. He’s been a member of the Kraken since the start, but his time with the team may be coming to an end. The 33-year-old forward can contribute at both ends of the ice. He would be a good depth addition to any roster an carries a $3.5 million cap hit. However, Tanev has a 10-team no-trade list.
Another name Shefte mentions is Oliver Bjorkstrand. The 29-year-old does hold a $5.4 million cap hit and is under contract through the end of the 2025-26 season. However, he has consecutive 20-goal seasons and is on line for a career season. Some GM could roll the dice if they really want a good middle-six player.
There are a few players like Bjorkstrand that have one more year left after this season that were mentioned. Defenceman Jamie Oleksiak and forwards Jaden Schwartz and Eeli Tolvanen were also brought up by Shefte. All three players have digestible cap hits with Schwartz the highest at $5.5 million.
Other players with more term on their deals like Jared McCann and Andre Burakovsky could also get some run according to Shefte. However, any possible trades may need more parts to make it happen.
Main photo by: Danny Wild-Imagn Images
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