We have talked about the most likely players to see the Kraken trade at the deadline this week, but what about some of the other names being thrown around? The Kraken have no chance to make the 2025 playoffs and should be sellers at the deadline, yet they don’t need a full rebuild either. With the trade deadline fast approaching this Friday, Seattle finds itself in a tricky balance: they want to unload some contracts and gain future assets, but they don’t want to strip away too much of the team’s core and stunt the franchise’s development.
That can be a challenging position for any NHL team. Selling too aggressively could push the rebuilding timeline too far back, especially when you still have young talents like Matty Beniers who benefit from veteran mentorship. However, holding onto certain veterans might mean losing them for nothing during free agency if there’s truly no future for them in Seattle. So, who are some of the names being mentioned as we inch closer to Friday’s deadline?
A veteran mentor on the trade block
Jaden Schwartz has helped solidify the top line for the Kraken alongside Beniers and Kaapo Kakko, who arrived earlier this season from the New York Rangers in exchange for Will Borgen, a third-round pick, and a sixth-round pick. At 32 years old, Schwartz’s best days of hockey are likely behind him, and his current top-line production might soon be eclipsed by a revitalized Jordan Eberle—who recently returned from injury.
Though Schwartz has been a steady role player for Seattle, he never quite replicated the form he had in St. Louis. In four seasons with the Kraken, he has yet to finish a year with a positive plus/minus rating—whereas with the Blues, he only went negative once. Despite that, Schwartz is on pace for his best offensive output in a Kraken sweater. The concern? He has another season left on his contract at a $5.5 million cap hit. For a contender looking for a proven leader who can still chip in offensively, Schwartz might be the perfect addition—especially if they hope he can mentor their own rising stars.
Could Seattle find a partner to take on their worst contract?
Andre Burakovsky is one name that might surprise fans if he’s moved by the deadline. It’s no secret the Kraken would love to see that happen, though. Despite signing him in their first full offseason, Burakovsky, now 30, has struggled to stay healthy and produce consistently in Seattle’s system. There have been moments where his play flashes genuine top-six potential, but the results fall short of expectations.
Some argue that Burakovsky’s skill set simply doesn’t mesh with the Kraken’s current style of play. While he isn’t old by NHL standards, his biggest obstacle is a hefty contract. He makes $5.5 million per year for the remainder of this season, plus two more seasons beyond that. That’s a tough pill to swallow for many teams unless Seattle retains some salary or structures a package deal. If the Kraken are willing to eat part of his contract to facilitate a trade, he might still be attractive to a contender in need of secondary scoring—especially given Burakovsky’s prior success on strong teams.
The toughest trade to stomach
Of all the trade possibilities, the notion of dealing Oliver Bjorkstrand is arguably the hardest for fans to accept. The 29-year-old has been a fan favorite since arriving in Seattle, and he is coming off two strong campaigns of 45 and then 59 points. In this current 2025 season, he’s already at 36 points and shows no signs of slowing down. Bjorkstrand has one more season left on his deal after this one at $5.4 million—a slight bargain compared to players like Schwartz and Burakovsky.
Teams around the league have taken notice. The Kraken have reportedly told teams that Jared McCann is off the table, so Bjorkstrand now becomes the most enticing forward with term left. His offensive consistency, two-way reliability, and willingness to step up—regardless of which line he’s on—make him an appealing piece for a contender.
One of the most memorable stretches for Bjorkstrand came when he played alongside Eeli Tolvanen and Shane Wright. That trio provided a crucial spark earlier this season when the Kraken struggled to generate consistent scoring. These days, Bjorkstrand spends most of his time on the second line with Tolvanen and Chandler Stephenson—Seattle’s assist leader—proving he can adapt to different roles seamlessly.
Finding the balance for this franchise
As of Tuesday, the Kraken look to be leaning toward a sell-off, but perhaps not an all-out fire sale. They have promising young pieces who need that mentorship, and veterans like Schwartz, Burakovsky, and Bjorkstrand each bring a different angle to the team’s success. Kaapo Kakko’s arrival also showcased that general manager Ron Francis is willing to make bold moves if he believes they can steer Seattle in a more promising direction. Kakko has thrived in the Kraken’s top line role and seems to be unlocking further potential from Matty Beniers.
On the other hand, fans and analysts alike wonder if Seattle will push harder toward a more defined rebuild strategy. Trading these veterans might net valuable draft picks and free up cap space. For instance, if Schwartz nets a second or third-round pick from a Cup contender, you could argue that helps expedite the Kraken’s plan to build around their emerging core.
Still, the element of risk is high. Stripping too much veteran leadership could weigh down the younger players’ development, leaving them to shoulder too much responsibility prematurely. It’s a delicate balance. Yet with how well the Kakko deal has gone so far, the Kraken’s front office may feel emboldened to make another splash that sets them up for the next few seasons.