Seattle Kraken: Keep ’em or Dump ’em – post 2022-23 season
In-Between
Oliver Bjorkstrand, W, 28,
Contract Status: 3-years, $5.4M (modified no trade clause).
2023-24 production: 81 Games, 20 G, 25 A, -1, 10 PP.
Comment: Not enough bang for the buck, and sub-par defensively. Oliver Bjorkstrand is overpaid for a guy that broke 50 points one time in eight years. With $16.2M left on his deal, Bjorkstrand is hard to move.
Jordan Eberle, RW, 33 years old
Contract Status: 1-year, $5.5M (modified no trade clause).
2023-24 production: 82 Games, 20 G, 43A, +6, 15 Power Play points.
Comment: There is some divide when it comes to Jordan Eberle. Some see that he’s a leader and mentor to a young Seattle Kraken locker room. I’m in the camp of he’s 33 and has only a year left on his contract. After scoring 63 points last season, Eberle’s trade value is at its highest point.
Ryan Donato, F, 27
Contract Status: UFA (made $1.2M in 2022-23).
2023-24 production: 71 games, 14 G, 13 A, +16, 2 PP.
Comment: Ryan Donato tried his luck in free agency last year and didn’t find many takers. Maybe it works out better for him this summer.
Luke Hennman, F, 23
Contract Status: 1-year, $792K, RFA after contract.
2023-24 production: Did not play for Kraken.
Comment: The Seattle Kraken saw enough in Hennman to make him their first free agent signing. So far, he hasn’t made it to the NHL. Do they give him one more shot? Probably, or Hennman gets included in a trade.
Justin Schultz, D, 32
Contract Status: 1-year, $3M.
2023-24 production: 73 games, 7 G, 27 A, +4, 13 PP.
Comment: Although he wore down toward the end of the season, Justin Schultz is a good second pair puck mover for Seattle, unless they find someone better.
Will Borgen, D, 26
Contract Status: RFA (made $900K in 2022-23).
2023-24 production: 82 games, 3 G, 17 A, +11, 0.
Comments: Anything less than 1.7M and Borgen stays. If Francis doesn’t think that can happen, Seattle will renounce his rights.
Which Seattle Kraken players do you think should stay, and which ones should go?