Kraken sign Kaapo Kakko, avoid arbitration

The Seattle Kraken have signed restricted free agent Kaapo Kakko to a three-year, $13.575 million contract, avoiding arbitration just days before his scheduled July 25 hearing. The $4.525 million average annual value will carry Kakko into his prime, setting him up to hit the open market at age 27.

The signing comes as a relief for fans who were growing antsy about the arbitration process, which I previously discussed in a Sound Of Hockey article on July 9.

Kakko contributions

Kakko was acquired from the New York Rangers during the 2024-25 season after falling out of favor in their top-six forward group. Drafted second overall in 2019, the Finnish winger arrived in Seattle seeking a fresh start and more ice time. He found flashes of both. While his production wasn’t eye-popping, signs of renewed confidence emerged.

Since joining the Kraken, Kakko’s numbers have climbed with the increased opportunity he received. He boosted his full-season scoring pace from 38 points with New York to 50 points in Seattle and tripled his power-play production.

Just as encouraging was his impact on linemates. Consistently skating with Matty Beniers and Jaden Schwartz, Kakko helped drive up both players’ offensive production.

Beniers’ even-strength goals per game jumped from 0.121 to 0.224 after Kakko’s arrival. He also found new life on the power play, scoring five goals in the final 49 games after netting none in the first 33. While Beniers and Kakko typically skated on separate power-play units, the increased confidence appeared to ripple across situations.

Schwartz saw a similar bump, improving his even-strength goals per game from 0.181 to 0.285 goals per game. Of Kakko’s 20 assists, 14 came on goals by Schwartz (nine goals) or Beniers (five).

This deal signals the Kraken’s belief in Kakko’s continued growth and value as a top-six contributor. He logged heavy minutes after joining the team and appears poised for continued progresssion. The Schwartz–Beniers–Kakko line was the team’s most consistent foward line, logging 459 minutes together—more than double any other forward combination, per moneypuck.com. That’s especially impressive considering Kakko played just 49 games with the Kraken. The Oliver Bjorkstrand–Shane Wright–Eeli Tolvanen trio was next at 189.9 minutes.

Still, player development isn’t always a straight line. At just 24, Kakko still carries untapped upside. His improved numbers—and the boost he gave teammates—suggest Seattle might have landed a player on the rise.

The $4.525 million cap hit represents 4.74 percent of this season’s cap. But with the ceiling projected to rise to $113.5 million by 2027–28, that figure drops to 4.0 percent. In other words, this deal seems like a bargain.

The Kraken are banking on Kakko to continue thriving as a top-six forward, especially after his step forward last season in both production and play-driving. This signing reflects Seattle’s commitment to building around youth and structure.

How does Kakko’s contract compare

For comparison, here’s what similar restricted free agents (RFAs) with 45–55 points signed for on contracts beginning in the 2025–26 season:

• Juraj Slafkovský – Eight years at $7.6 million
• Alexis Lafrenière – Seven years at $7.45 million
• Matt Coronato – Seven years at $6.5 million
• Simon Holmstrom – Two years at $3.625 million

Locking in Kakko at $4.525 million looks like a discount relative to Slafkovský, Lafrenière, and Coronato. Holmstrom’s deal came in lower but covers fewer years and will expire with RFA status. Kakko is nestled between Coronato and Holmstrom, and it is good to have him under contract for three years.

With Kakko under contract, general manager Jason Botterill can now focus on re-signing defenseman RFA Ryker Evans and exploring trade options to potentially add offense. The Kraken have roughly $7 million in cap space, offering room for additional moves before training camp.

Comment below with your thoughts on the signing and what you think the Kraken’s next move should be.