With news breaking of Matty Beniers signing a massive seven-year deal worth $7.14 million AAV, lets take a look at the current roster's contracts. Who are the three worst contracts, and how do they hinder the team?
Yanni Gourde, $5.166 million
This contract is at the end of its journey, as Yanni Gourde is entering the 2024-25 season at the end of his deal. Signed back in 2019-20 with the Tampa Bay Lightning, Gourde has not been the same player since joining the Kraken in the expansion draft.
The 32-year-old winger has been less than stellar in the past three seasons, with significant offensive dropoffs in all major categories. His goal-scoring is down, and assists are down, meaning that point production is also down. Gourde's $5.166 million AAV certainly hurts the salary cap, especially when you look at how he failed to perform in 2023-24.
As he is getting into the second half of his career, expectations should be that his next contract, with the Kraken or not, will be less than his current deal.
Philipp Grubauer, $5.9 million
This one hurts, a ton. Philipp Grubauer was signed to a six-year deal worth $5.9 million per year before the inaugural season of 2021-22. The hope was that since he was so solid with the Colorado Avalanche, a few years prior, he would bring his greatness to Seattle and be the goaltender of the future.
That wouldn't be any further than the truth, as he has struggled to perform in all three years suiting up for the Kraken. Grubauer has been unable to retain the starting goaltender spot, and when he is in the net, it is a troubling experience.
Joey Daccord looks to be that steady, successful goaltender of the future now, and he is in a contract season in 2024-25. We could be looking at a mid-season goalie trade to dump Grubauer's contract to another organization and get a backup for a much smaller price tag. All to pay Daccord the contract he deserves after this upcoming season.
Adam Larsson, $4 million
Another contract that is a serious hindrance on the Seattle Kraken bookkeeping, is defenseman Adam Larsson's $4 million AAV. He is a solid player, who has remained healthy throughout his tenure with the Kraken. But, he carries a steep price tag for an aging d-man.
With his contract expiring at the end of the 2024-25 season, Larsson may find himself in a new home when the trade deadline rolls around. He is one of a few that may be on the move next season. With some younger talent in the Kraken farm system, like Lukas Dragicevic, it makes Larsson expendable depending on his performance next season.
Is there another player with a worse contract than these three?