Are the Kraken in a better spot now than they were before the trade deadline? At first glance, it looks like the team weakened its roster significantly. After all, Seattle sent out three players and only got one in return, then called up depth pieces to fill the gaps. That move doesn’t exactly scream “win now.” Yet, when you look a bit deeper, there’s a strategic reason behind it.
The reality is that the Kraken are unlikely to make the playoffs this year, and they may still be on the outside looking in next season. In professional sports, building a true contender rarely happens overnight. Rather than pushing all their chips in for a single playoff run, the Kraken took a step back, reassessed their position, and paved a path forward that could pay greater dividends down the road.
A look at the trades
By moving out three expiring contracts (and one with a year remaining), Seattle acquired two first-round picks, two second-round picks, a fifth-round pick, a seventh-round pick, and forward Michael Eyssimont—a 28-year-old depth journeyman who becomes a free agent this offseason. While it’s bittersweet to see fan favorites such as Yanni Gourde and Brandon Tanev depart, they’ll have a chance to chase a Stanley Cup right away. Seattle, meanwhile, gets value back instead of risking losing them for nothing.
Interestingly, most of the assets the Kraken received mirror the package that the Dallas Stars sent to Carolina for Mikko Rantanen—two first-round picks, two third-round picks, and promising forward Logan Stankoven. Add in the earlier-season trade that landed Kaapo Kakko, and the Kraken sent away a bunch of expiering contracts for the same package that Dallas used to get Mikko. This amount of draft capital could allow Seattle to make a big offseason splash if they choose.
Building for the future
When you look at what Seattle has done in recent drafts, it’s clear there’s a solid plan in place. The Kraken kicked off their franchise by drafting Matty Beniers, who claimed the Calder Trophy as the league’s top rookie. Though he’s had ups and downs offensively, his defensive game has remained steady, and teaming him with Kaapo Kakko has revived his scoring punch.
Shane Wright, another high-profile selection, has also experienced his share of growing pains. However, he’s begun finding confidence and carving out a defined role game by game. I truly felt it was always a matter of “when” rather than “if” for Wright to figure it out, and head coach Dan Bylsma’s approach seems to be paying off. Even if I would prefer to see him get more minutes, he’s on a promising track.
Beyond Beniers and Wright, the Kraken have continued to draft well. Berkly Catton, their most recent top pick, shows huge upside, and Seattle has excelled especially in the second round with players like Ryker Evans, Niklas Kokko, Jani Nyman, Carson Rehkopf, and Julius Miettinen. Those youngsters—several of whom competed in the most recent World Junior Championship—could begin challenging for NHL spots in the near future.
By stockpiling picks and letting their prospects develop, the Kraken are constructing a foundation that many franchises spend years trying to establish. Seattle’s front office can either trade some of these assets for immediate help or stay patient and groom the next wave of NHL-caliber players. While it might not seem like a short-term boost, the moves made at the deadline could end up being the very reason the Kraken become a powerhouse down the line.