12 big-ticket players who could come to the Seattle Kraken
Ed Stein
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This section should come with an expectations warning. Getting either of these players is a long shot, but they are certainly possible in the current economic environment.
William Nylander, LW, Toronto Maple Leafs, 25, $6.96M – 2024
The Toronto Maple Leafs have a very top-heavy salary structure. Only 14 players are under contract for 2022-23, and they account for $69M of salary. To get a full roster, Toronto will need to have more than $20M available. William Nylander could be sacrificed.
It’s more likely Toronto trades Nylander if they need space. Nothing is stopping Seattle from being players for the young left wing, in that scenario, and it can happen at the expansion draft. The Kraken will have plenty of future draft picks to interest Toronto. A deal can be had.
Nylander is a fine young talent, and he’s locked up for another three seasons. The second-generation NHLer has 102 points in his last 119 games. If Nylander is the Leafs’ odd man out of their four core forwards, he’s someone Seattle needs to pursue.
Jack Eichel, C, Buffalo Sabres, 24, $10 – 2026
Some might be surprised to see 2015’s number one overall draft pick as a possibility to join the Kraken. On the ice, Jack Eichel is a near point-per-game player for his career with 355 points in 375 games. He’s on this list because the situation between Jack Eichel and the Buffalo Sabres is tenuous.
A lot to digest from Jack Eichel's end of the season zoom call.
"I've been a bit upset about the way things have been handled since I've been hurt. I'd be lying to say things have moved smoothly since my injury. There's been a bit of a disconnect from the organization & myself." pic.twitter.com/3PDkejnLzT— Heather Prusak (@haprusak) May 10, 2021
It all comes back to a neck injury Eichel suffered earlier this season. Buffalo’s captain is displeased with how the team handled his recovery. He may also be one of several scapegoats for the Sabres’ disappointing last-place finish this season.
It’s doubtful Eichel goes unprotected in the expansion draft. But he could be part of a much bigger deal by serving as a conduit between teams. Even more so if Kraken GM Ron Francis takes 33-year-old RW Kyle Okposo and his $6M AAV through 2023 off Buffalo’s hands.
Related Story: Leafs fans jumping ship to the Seattle Kraken
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QbMLmk_bOD0
Which big-ticket players do you think will wind up with the Seattle Kraken? Let us know in the comments section below or on social media.