Seattle Kraken: Keep ’em or Dump ’em – post 2022-23 season
Stay
Yanni Gourde, F, 31
Contract Status: 2-years, $5.17M (modified no trade clause).
2023-24 production: 81 games, 14 G, 34 A, +23, 4 PP.
Comment: I’ve come around on Yanni Gourde. He’s a better second line wing than third line center.
Vince Dunn, D, 28
Contract Status: RFA (made $4M in 2022-23).
2023-24 production: 81 games, 14 G, 50 A, +28, 15 PP.
Comment: Vince Dunn and Larsson make a great top pair. By all accounts, the Kraken want him to stay, and he wants to be in Seattle. A 4 to 5-year extension short of outrageous should lock him in.
Brandon Tanev, W, 31
Contract Status: 2-years, $3.5M (modified no trade clause).
2023-24 production: 82 games, 16 G, 19 A, +21, 0 PP.
Comment: Brandon Tanev is Mr. Intangable Spark Plug. Seattle Kraken fans would riot if the team moved on from Turbo now.
Eeli Tolvanen, W, 24
Contract Status: 1-year, 1.45M, RFA after contract.
2023-24 production: 48 games, 16 G, 11 A, +10, 7 PP.
Comment: After Nashville waived Eeli Tolvanen, he came to Seattle with a chip on his shoulder. Tolvanen is the type of depth scorer successful teams need, and they have him at a very reasonable price.
Daniel Sprong, W, 24
Contract Status: RFA (made $750K last year)
2023-24 production: 66 Games, 21 G, 25 A, +13. 14 PP.
Comment: See Tolvanen (without the Nashville part).
Morgan Geekie, F, 24
Contract Status: RFA (made $1.4M in 2022-23).
2023-24 production: 69 games, 9 G, 19 A, +14, 1 PP.
Comment: When all else fails, count on Morgan Geekie to do something good. He’s Francis’ pet project, so unless another team signs him to a ridiculous contract, Geekie will be back.
Philipp Grubauer, G, 31
Contract Status: 4-years, $5.5M (modified no trade clause).
2023-24 production: 39 games, 17-14-4 Record, 2.85 GAA, .895 SV%.
Comment: After injuries derailed him early in the season, Gru picked up his performance in the latter months. I still think his production a disappointing, but the Seattle Kraken are stuck with him for the near future.
No one will be trading for Philipp Grubauer and Seattle won’t find anyone better on the free agent market right now.
Chris Driedger, G, 29
Contract Status: 1-year, $2.375M (modified no trade clause).
2023-24 production: 5 games, 2-1-1 Record, 3.14 GAA, .900 SV%.
Comment: Chris Driedger is the ideal number two goalie. The Seattle Kraken are fortunate to have him.
Max McCormick, LW, 31
Contract Status: 1-year, $763K.
2023-24 production: Did not play for Seattle.
Comment: A good leader for the AHL Firebirds, McCormick is signed through next year. Keep him.
Jesper Froden, W, 28
Contract Status: UFA (made $750K in 2022-23).
2023-24 production: 14 games, 0 G, 4 A +4. 0 PP.
Comment: If the Seattle Kraken can get Froden for close to the same money, make it happen.
Tye Kartye, W, 22
Contract Status: 2-years, $859K (entry level).
2023-24 production: Playoffs Only, 10 games, 3 G, 2 A, +6, 0 PP.
Comment: Tye Kartye succeeded beyond the organization’s highest expectations while making his NHL debut in the pressure cooker known as the Stanley Cup Playoffs. His future in the Emerald City looks bright.