As the NHL trade deadline approaches, the Seattle Kraken find themselves in a position familiar to many rebuilding franchises: prioritizing the future over sentiment. With playoff hopes extinguished, the franchise is expected to transition into seller mode, leveraging veteran assets to stockpile draft capital or prospects. As highlighted in a recent ESPN analysis, three inaugural-season players stand out as likely trade candidates: Yanni Gourde, Brandon Tanev, and Jamie Oleksiak. While their contributions to Seattle’s early identity have been invaluable, their age, contracts, and the team’s long-term vision make them prime candidates for a deadline deal.
Yanni Gourde - The heartbeat of the Kraken
Role & contributions: Yanni Gourde, 33, has been the Kraken’s emotional engine since their inaugural season. A two-time Stanley Cup champion with the Tampa Bay Lightning, Gourde brought championship pedigree, relentless energy, and leadership to Seattle’s forward group. His tenacity on both ends of the ice, combined with a knack for clutch performances, made him a fan favorite and a cornerstone of the team’s identity.
Why he’s a trade candidate: Gourde’s $5.166 million average annual value (AAV) expires at the end of this season (2024-25), offering contenders a short-term, cost-effective solution for a proven playoff performer.. However, at 33, his offensive production has dipped from its peak, and while he’s shown flashes of scoring brilliance this season, the Kraken may prioritize cultivating younger, more consistent talent. For contenders, Gourde’s playoff-tested two-way game and versatility at center or wing could bolster depth, while Seattle might secure a prospect or mid-round pick in return.
Brandon Tanev - The penalty-kill dynamo
Role & contributions: Brandon “Turbo” Tanev, 33, embodies chaos in the best way. His relentless forechecking, shot-blocking, and physical play (he is second all time in hits for the Kraken at 553) have made him a staple on Seattle’s penalty kill and bottom-six forward corps. Tanev’s motor and ability to disrupt opponents’ rhythms are intangible assets that don’t always show up on the scoresheet but resonate deeply in the locker room.
Why he’s a trade candidate: Tanev’s $3.5 million AAV also expires at the end of this season, but his high-octane style comes with wear-and-tear risks as he ages. For playoff-bound teams craving grit and defensive responsibility, Tanev is an ideal rental. The Kraken, meanwhile, could secure a mid-to-late-round pick or a developmental player, freeing up cap space to invest in younger, less injury-prone talent.
Jamie Oleksiak - The towering blueliner
Role & Contributions: At 6’7” and 255 pounds, Jamie Oleksiak, 32, is a defensive stalwart whose physicality and reach have anchored Seattle’s blue line. Averaging over 19 minutes of ice time per game, he’s been a shutdown presence against top opponents and a mentor to younger defensemen like Vince Dunn.
Why he’s a trade candidate: Oleksiak’s $4.6 million AAV runs through 2026-27—the longest and most cumbersome contract of the trio. While his size and experience are attractive, the term could deter suitors unless Seattle retains salary. Contenders in need of defensive depth might view him as a rental, but the Kraken may need to sweeten the deal or absorb part of his cap hit to facilitate a move. Trading Oleksiak would signal a commitment to overhauling the defense corps with faster, cheaper options.
Nostalgia vs. necessity
Parting with Gourde, Tanev, and Oleksiak won’t be easy for a fanbase that rallied around these players during the franchise’s infancy. However, clinging to nostalgia risks stagnating a team still searching for its competitive core. By trading veterans for futures, the Kraken can accelerate their rebuild, ensuring the next wave of talent—led by Matty Beniers, Shane Wright, and draft picks acquired in deals—has the resources to thrive.
For Seattle’s front office, the deadline represents a pivotal moment to balance respect for the past with pragmatism for the future. As the Kraken sail into uncharted waters, these moves could define their course for years to come.