Seattle Kraken: Upon Further Review – Deadline Deals
Chip Clark
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Benefitting from a cool-down period, we review six trades the Seattle Kraken made at the trade deadline.
So far, the Seattle Kraken haven’t dazzled the National Hockey League with their play on the ice. A good part of the reason is a lack of talent accumulated by Seattle Kraken General Manager Ron Francis in the expansion draft. Not every player has been bad. But to put it kindly, many of the veterans have greatly underachieved.
In need of a fresh start, Francis was busy leading up to the trade deadline. He made six trades with six teams. With the benefit of a few days to digest all that went down earlier this week, we evaluate how the team did at their first deadline.
Seattle Kraken sent defenseman Mark Giordano and forward Colin Blackwell to Toronto for a 2022 second-round pick, a 2023 second-round pick, and a 2024 third-round pick. Seattle retained $3.375M of Giordano’s contract.
We start with the biggest trade first. I didn’t like this deal, but I understand why it went down. If the Canadiens got a first and fourth-round pick and an additional mid-level prospect for Ben Chiarot, Mark Giordano was worth as much or more than Chiarot. But the Kraken didn’t get a first-rounder for their captain, let alone kicking in a capable defensive forward, Colin Blackwell.
As I said above, I understand why Francis made the trade. Gio is from Toronto, and the Leafs have a decent chance to make a run at the Stanley Cup. Francis did right by Giordano by sending him home. It just wasn’t what was best for the Kraken.
Even if he wasn’t getting a first-round pick, Francis could have at least tried to get defenseman Travis Dermott who the Leafs traded to Vancouver for a 2022 third-round pick to clear enough room under the cap to acquire Giordano.
Grade: B-