After a shrewd trade that sent Andre Burakovsky to Chicago for Joe Veleno, followed by a buyout of Veleno’s contract, the Seattle Kraken head into free agency on July 1 with roughly $18 million in cap space. But let’s not get carried away, the Kraken aren’t likely to go on a shopping spree.
Around $8 million of that cap space is earmarked for pending restricted free-agent contracts with Kaapo Kakko, Ryker Evans, and Tye Kartye, which leaves roughly $10 million in realistic spending room. And just because you can spend doesn’t mean you should. With plenty of long-term flexibility and a mostly set roster, the Kraken appear positioned to take a more surgical approach in free agency this summer.
There’s been some speculative chatter about Seattle’s interest in players like Jordan Kyrou, and while I’m not big on rumor-based hypotheticals, it’s worth noting that preserving cap flexibility leaves the door open for trades or bold moves if the right fit emerges. If the Kraken *were* to make a splashier acquisition this summer, the trade route feels most likely. So as far as free agency is concerned, I expect a guarded approach.
A different summer than last
Last summer, the Kraken were among the more aggressive teams in free agency, landing Brandon Montour and Chandler Stephenson on significant deals. This year feels different.
The top three forward lines and top two defensive pairings are basically set, and the organization is keeping an eye on several prospects who could make the jump to the NHL. Names like Berkly Catton, Ryan Winterton, and Jani Nyman are expected to compete for forward roles, while Jacob Melanson and Nathan Villeneuve could be in the mix for fourth-line roles should the organization look for a more conventional fourth line. On the back end, Ville Ottavainen may push for a full-time spot.
So while there’s optimism about internal growth, it’s risky to assume that prospects will step in and stick. That leaves the Kraken in a bit of a balancing act, in that they don’t want to block young players, but they also can’t leave roster holes if those players aren’t ready.
What they actually need
Assuming no major trades and the team’s intention to sign its RFA’s, the Kraken’s needs look relatively modest:
- One left winger, ideally with some flexibility and penalty-killing upside
- One third-pair defenseman
Of course, we should expect them to add more than two extra bodies for depth or injury insurance, especially players who can start the year in Coachella Valley.
One note before we get into names: No, I won’t be predicting offer sheets. Despite the “summer of offer sheets” hype, they almost never happen. Additionally, while elite names like Mitch Marner or Nikolaj Ehlers would look great in deep sea blue, I am trying to be realistic, and that kind of splash is extremely unlikely this summer.
With all that said, here are a few realistic free agent options the Kraken might consider:
Left wing Kraken targets
Ideal profile: Comfortable in a fourth-line role, can handle elevated minutes if needed, offers some goal-scoring pop and can kill penalties.
Joel Kiviranta – 29 years old
A sneaky good fit. Kiviranta is a solid fourth-line winger with the ability to slide up the lineup in a pinch. He also logged significant penalty kill time in Colorado. As a bonus, he’d become the fourth Finnish forward on the roster, and if my line projections are even close, that would put one Finn on each line.
Whether it’s against them or for them, with the Avs, Joel Kiviranta just hits different. pic.twitter.com/1Om6kqy6rZ
— David Castillo (@DavidCastilloAC) January 23, 2025
Anthony Beauvillier – 28 years old
I’m not sure he’s an ideal fourth-liner, but if the Kraken are trying to rebuild a depth-scoring line like the 2022-23 version, Beauvillier could be a nice fit. He played under new head coach Lane Lambert on Long Island, so there’s some built-in familiarity.
Tanner Jeannot – 28 years old
It’s been a while since Jeannot’s 24-goal breakout with Nashville in 2021-22. Since then, he hasn’t topped seven goals in a season. But that might mean he’s open to a short-term, “prove-it” deal. The physicality and gritty playstyle make him a natural fourth-liner who could still chip in some scoring. He also has a bit of the nasty gene that a lot of people think the team needs. He’s a low-risk, medium-reward option, likely under $3M AAV.
Tanner Jeannot lands a heavy hit on Artem Zub. 😳 pic.twitter.com/OeVtfDJdCn
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) October 14, 2024
Defensemen Kraken targets
Seattle’s top four on the blue line is locked in, so this is about adding a third-pair option, ideally someone who can play both sides. No need for power-play time or major penalty kill minutes here.
Jon Merrill – 33 years old
A classic stay-at-home vet. No offense to speak of, but he’s steady and won’t cost much. He’s not flashy, but you can trust him to give you safe minutes in a sheltered role.
Nick Perbix – 27 years old
Perbix brings more size (6’4″) than Merrill and is a bit younger, but he still is not going to bring much offense. If Seattle wants a little more term or ceiling in their depth role, Perbix might be the better option—though he’ll likely come at a slightly higher price.
Perbix hit on Tkachuk. pic.twitter.com/W71J2a5two
— Chris Krenn (@Chris_Krenn) October 22, 2022
Final thoughts
There are some good fits in this year’s free agent crop, but signing a player requires interest from both sides. Just because a player looks like a perfect addition doesn’t mean he’s open to joining a team that’s still building its identity and long-term core.
The Kraken’s approach this summer might not generate headlines, but that doesn’t mean it won’t be effective. Whether they spend their cap space or keep some powder dry for a midseason opportunity, the key is adding value without blocking development.
Who would you like to see Seattle go after on July 1? Let us know in the comments.