Based on published reports and our understanding, the team engaged in at least exploratory conversations with pending unrestricted free agents Jared McCann and Vince Dunn over the summer. This is to be expected, as both became eligible for contract extensions on July 1.
Regardless of the team’s ultimate intention, gathering information regarding the players’ interest in staying with the Kraken and expected contract parameters is a wise move. Vince Dunn opened the door for a new contract in talking with Sound Of Hockey’s Darren Brown last week: “My heart is with Seattle. I would love to retire as a Kraken.” Our belief is that Jared McCann is receptive to extending in Seattle as well, after he raved about playing for the Kraken during the preseason.
“Everybody who plays here loves it,” McCann said. “Even guys that have moved on to other teams, they even say to us that this was an amazing place to play. Our fans are great, I mean, look at the facilities we have around, right?
“The team does whatever they can to make the players feel comfortable, make the families feel comfortable, and we added some pieces on the management side of it. I wish I had a straight answer for you when it comes to why guys don’t want to be here, but I don’t.”
Today, we’ll investigate probable deal structure targets for each player. We’ll do this by examining comparable player contracts signed over the last four years. These results can inform the next discussion—one that will likely evolve over the next few months—whether or not a contract in the projected range is advisable for the team.
Let’s dive in.
Jared McCann
Profile
30 years old | 6-foot-1 | left-shot forward | $5 million AAV contract with 2027 expiry
Reference statistics
2025-26 season: 52 games | 20 goals | 40 points
Career: 724 games | 205 goals | 443 points
Market comparables
When it comes to veteran free-agent forwards, age and scoring production in the player’s last season before free agency are the most important predictive factors. After that, a player’s playing and production track record is also significant data to consider. To formulate McCann’s market comparables, we created ranges centered around his age (29-to-32 years old), free-agent season scoring rate (53 to 74 points per 82 games), career scoring rate (40 to 62 points per 82 games), and career games played total (600 to 840). This approach generated a list of six comparable player contracts signed since 2022:
Analysis
McCann’s sample averaged 4.3 years of term at 6.47 percent of the cap in the first contract year. With next year’s cap projected at $113 million, this puts the average annual value at $7.3 million and McCann’s total cash target at approximately $31.6 million. This suggests to me two probable deal structures: (a) four years, $8 million AAV, or (b) five years, $6.5 million AAV. These contracts are “in range” of the comparables but modestly above them to account for the rising cap and the Kraken’s position in the competitiveness cycle.
In terms of internal cap hierarchy, the average annual value of both contract structures would exceed Bobby McMann’s deal but fall just short of McMann’s total dollar value over six years. This would seem to be a workable compromise for two players who project similarly on the ice over the next few years.
The shorter contract would slot McCann as the highest AAV on the team, just above Beniers. The longer contract would slot McCann second, just below Beniers, which may be appealing to the team. On the other hand, it would keep the player on the salary cap into his decline phase alongside other veterans who will decline, like McMann and Chandler Stephenson.
Projected contract
Four years, $8 million AAV (two-year NTC; two-year modified NTC).
Vince Dunn
Profile
29 years old | 6-foot-1 | left-shot defenseman | $7.35 million AAV contract with 2027 expiry
Reference statistics
2025-26 season: 81 games | 11 goals | 44 points | 18:28 5-on-5 ATOI
Career: 627 games | 87 goals | 334 points | 16:46 5-on-5 ATOI
Market comparables
In addition to the metrics referenced for McCann, average time on ice is an indicator of role and market value for defensemen. Though it may seem counterintuitive in a certain light, the market is almost certain to value a half-point-per-game defenseman who plays 21 minutes a night more than one who scores the same total in fewer minutes. The higher minute totals are reflective of role difficulty, which is an important factor in evaluating a defenseman.
To formulate Dunn’s market comparables, we created ranges centered around Dunn’s age (28-to-31 years old), free-agent season scoring rate (33 to 53 points per 82 games), free-agent season average time on ice (17:00-19:45 5-on-5 ATOI), career scoring rate (33 to 53 points per 82 games), and career games played total (500 to 740). This approach generated a list of eight comparable player contracts signed since 2022:
Analysis
Dunn’s sample averaged 6.4 years of term at 7.41 percent of the cap in the first contract year. With next year’s cap projected at $113 million, this puts the average annual value at $8.4 million and Dunn’s total cash target at approximately $53.4 million.
For obvious reasons, one player stands out as particularly important from this comparable group: Brandon Montour. Montour signed with the Kraken at age 30.5 (similar to Dunn’s age next summer) and a comparable free-agent season (40 points in 82 games, compared with 43 points per 82 games for Dunn). Montour’s contract was worth 8.12 percent of the Year 1 cap, which would equate to $9.2 million annually for Dunn on his new deal.
The room for compromise between player and team may be to bump Dunn’s average cap percentage closer to Montour’s in exchange for a “shorter” five- or six-year term. A six-year, $9 million AAV contract would put Dunn considerably above Montour in total dollars and average annual value while leaving him just short of Montour in term and cap percentage.
Projected contract
Six years, $9 million AAV (three-year NTC, three-year modified NTC).
Concluding thoughts
As mentioned, the most important factor driving contracts is the player’s scoring production in the year before free agency. As we get closer to the NHL Trade Deadline, the player’s 2026-27 season will become the primary focus. This introduces risk for both sides because the contract comparables could look very different in March 2027.
At the same time, while delay introduces health risk for Dunn and McCann, the closer the player gets to free agency, the larger the premium the player would likely expect to account for the rising salary cap. I would not be surprised at all if the price tags looked more like $9 million annually for McCann and $10 million annually for Dunn after the calendar flips to 2027.
If you’re the Kraken, are you moving to re-sign either of these players now? How about at the Trade Deadline? From my vantage, neither projected contract alters my baseline thought on this question. Ideally, Seattle gathers more information about the direction of the NHL team and defers the decision to late 2026 or early 2027.
Curtis Isacke
Curtis is a Sound Of Hockey contributor and member of the Kraken press corps. Curtis is an attorney by day, and he has read the NHL collective bargaining agreement and bylaws so you don’t have to. He can be found analyzing the Kraken, NHL Draft, and other hockey topics on Twitter and Bluesky @deepseahockey.
Given our lack of blue line depth I think we have to keep Dunn.
McCann is a tougher call. I love the guy and would love to see him retire as a Kraken, but if he does move on that might that free up a full-time spot for Nyman, Firkus, etc. It might be time to go younger at his position if one or more of the baby squids prove they are ready to be full time NHLers.
Extend Dunn. Wait and see on McCann.
Just get them locked up already, they’re important contributors to our team and we need them to ice anything even resembling a respectable group going forward. Let them both retire as Kraken if they want.
I also think they have to wait and see. These are the two most valuable trade chips I can recall the Kraken having. They’re also two of the core pieces of the franchise’s identity. With names like Edvinsson out there and teams like Philly struggling out of the gate there could be plenty of opportunities. On the other hand, if this group is clicking, stick with what’s working.
Unless it’s an obvious win of a trade for Seattle, I don’t see how moving either one of these guys while the team is pushing for a playoff spot – like it or not that’s the plan – does anything other than send the wrong message to the players and the majority of fans.
Check back in December.
We’ve seen these players for 5+ seasons now and as much as I like them and acknowledge that they’re good players, they’re also 29 and 30 years old on expiring contracts.
We have some young players to be excited about but this team is still a few seasons away from being relevant. I’d like to see them use these 2 in a deal to bring back other young players such as Simon Edvinsson who can grow with our young core.
Keeping and paying good but not great players north of 30 yrs old is ridiculous for where this franchise is.
Our championship window is closed and we have too many older players locked into deals. If we can’t trade those veteran contracts, we should sell high on McCann and Dunn to stock up on premium young talent.
I’m sure I’m overthinking this, but If we think Reid is ready to play in 3 seasons (2028) and he is playing with Evans (which seems to make the most sense with current players), would that make them the “middle pair”? And if they are the middle pair, and you are keeping guys on their “natural side”, that means either Larsson or Monty are 3rd pair RHD. If Larsson is the most likely there, does that mean Monty plays with Dunn on the top pair? That pair doesn’t seem to make sense. But if Dunn and Larsson remain “top pair” that means Monty is your 3rd pair. Maybe that makes sense with cap escalation? Or are Dunn and Reid together? Not sure I would want Dunn backing up a dynamic, puck moving rookie. Obviously, this all assumes Reid is the elite level D he is expected to be. But maybe it’s still OK he is a 3rd pair in his first season if Larsson is still here. Like I said, overthinking. Maybe 1st-3rd pair labels stop meaning anything.
3 season from now Larsson is 37 years old amd he looks slow now. Why would you think he temains top pair? He’s only a top pair now on half a dozen teams in the league.
This is not a team that can compete for a Cup now…why continue signing 30+ yr olds? Signing aging players is when a team is in compete mode and wants complimentary experience, not your core players
Both Dunn and McCann are having a pretty good start to 2026/27, tied for team 2nd and leader in points scored at a 1 and 1.2 pt per game rate in a small sample. Both are top power play skaters, and they can penalty killers. In-house alternatives to these two are nowhere close to as good. Dunn and McCann want to be in Seattle. Trade opportunities could influence me, but otherwise I would seek extension.
Legit question—how far do you think this team goes this year? If not far, why would you sign aging veterans vs trading them for young, up and coming players/picks?
I’m excited about a young core of Beniers, Catton, Wright, Mackie, Winterton, Kappo, O’Brien, etc.
Both of these players will be in decline by the time this team is taken seriously in the playoffs. Trade them now, enjoy the juice from the young players, temper expectations, and look ahead to 2028-2029
Nobody in the prospect pool at left wing or at left defenseman has a higher ceiling than present day Jared McCann and Vince Dunn except, if the team gets really lucky, Jager Firkus and Ty Nelson. Barring some crazy scenario, McCann and Dunn are the best players at their positions who will be available for the forseeable future, and at eight or nine million per year I would count them as bargains if I were the GM given how much ice time they play and what they do with it.
Look outside the prospect pool and see what you could get for them in a trade for a winger or LHD with higher upside and isn’t 30 yrs old
Got anybody in mind who fits the bill?
The Red Wings are a dumpster fire and Simon Edvinsson wants out. A package of Dunn + picks+ prospect would be interesting. Or look at top 6 forwards like Dawson Mercer, Kent Johnson, or Jake Neighbors. A package of Dunn or McCann + picks or prospect. All these players are young, with upside, and under team control ie do’t have a no trade clause. Mercer is a RFA at the end of the season but I’d rather give a new 5 yr contract to a younger player than a 30y old on a team not ready to compete.
you mean we would get picks and prospects right? because mccann for dawson mercer is a terrible trade, likewise johnson and neighbors. the edvinsson trade is the only one id even partially be interested in and id still rather have dunn however with that one specifically i havent seen enough film on simon
“I’d rather give a new 5 yr contract to a younger player than a 30y old on a team not ready to compete.”
Isn’t that exactly what the Red Wings, Blues, Blue Jackets, and Devils are saying right now?
Also, this is about the next five or so years. McCann and Dunn are likely still going to be good five years from now like Jordan Eberle and Adam Larsson are. Are Mercer (a righty and thus not really a potential McCann replacement), Johnson, Neighbours, and Edvinsson going to be comparable to Dunn and McCann over the next five years? These aren’t can’t-miss guys here. Every one of them is in a rut. I mean, we just saw a couple days ago what Edvinsson looks like right now, and he ain’t no Vince Dunn. In fact, he is an altogether different kind of defenseman, which would mean that Ryker Evans would have to try to replicate Dunn’s offensive productivity. I would guess that one or two of the above youngsters might get their careers turned around, but that’s just a dice roll with success representing nothing more than a similar caliber of player to what the team would be giving up, not even considering picks and prospects.
That’s another thing: picks and prospects. If the next five years is the present concern then McCann and Dunn are the best available guys for their roles. If we are talking about after five years from now, the picks and prospects are likely better to have today than any of the above relative youngsters.
Now, if I were the GM and thought that it was a possibility, I would try to sign Quinn Hughes. That is a guy who can make the team better over the next five years and will still have some tread on his tires afterward, and the Wild have a good reason to move him. The downside is that he would require big bucks and may not be the most loyal guy in the world. Is overpaying for Hughes better than just paying Dunn? Debatable. The team would certainly get its “star,” at least.
Co-signed. There’s nobody better out there. These projections are a lowball given the actual state of the market right now and for the foreseeable future.
What an insightful analysis on McCann and Dunn’s potential contract extensions! I especially appreciated how you broke down their contributions to the team. It reminds me of when I followed a local player’s journey through various seasons; seeing them evolve and secure their future was always thrilling. Your projections really highlight the strategic considerations for the Kraken, making it clear that every decision impacts not just team dynamics but also fan games for free engagement. Thank you for sharing such thoughtful content—it certainly adds depth to my understanding of hockey economics!
The projections for Dunn and McCann look reasonable and doable, and as you mentioned will be production dependent.
The determining factors for McCann and Dunn staying (Dunn’s comments to JB notwithstanding) are highly dependent on team’s success this year. If this season ends up looking like last year, that will make four consecutive losing seasons. It’s hard to see where two players (both 30ish) would be willing to sign a 5-6 year contracts, thus consigning themselves to what could be a losing team for the latter part of their careers. They’ve experienced enough losing already.
The key to retaining both will be the success of the younger players – Beniers, Samoskevich, Catton, Wright and Winterton. ALL will need to make significant strides this year, resulting in the Kraken making the playoffs. If so, Dunn/McCann can be confident in the continued improvement from the core of younger players, thus transforming the Kraken from a fringe team to a consistent playoff team on a yearly basis – an exciting prospect that they’d want to be a part of
I gotta 100% agree with what you’re saying here TFL, but I would point out Bobby McMann turned 30 a week before he extended with Seattle for six years… and on the ice he’d experienced noting but losing with the Kraken at that time.
I think you’re right about everything you’re saying here and I agree, but I really couldn’t even guess what these guys will do.
I always considered Bobby McMann’s deal a bit of a “one off.” Age thirty, late bloomer who’d literally had never been paid up to that point. The Kraken REALLY needed to sign him, and signed him to a contract that (at age 30) finally provided him the financial security he’d never had.
But – you’re right – who knows how Dunn and McCann view their situations. Would love to have both of them back.