“Down on the Farm” is your weekly Seattle Kraken prospects update. Well, usually it’s weekly. We missed last week for the trade deadline, but return with an update on Ty Nelson’s progress in Coachella Valley, plus news and notes from around the organization over the last two weeks and a preview of the week ahead. (Note that this update does not include data from the games on Friday, Mar. 14.)
As always, if you have a prospect-related question you’d like to see featured in a future column, drop a note below or on X or BlueSky @deepseahockey. Let’s dive in.
Ty Nelson is gaining traction in Coachella Valley
Seattle Kraken defense prospect Ty Nelson has heard it his entire career. He’s too short. His game is too limited to find success at the higher levels.
But Nelson believes he has the skill and mindset to succeed.
“Throughout my whole life, I’ve never been the tallest kid, but I’ve been on the stockier side,” Nelson told Judd Spicer on a recent episode of The Fire and Ice Podcast. “And so, you know what, if I’m going to a corner with a guy that’s 5-foot-2, or I’m going into the corner with a guy that’s 6-foot-7, I’m going in there with the same mindset that I’m going to do anything to get you out of my way to get that puck.”
“That’s just the way that I’ve played hockey my whole life,” Nelson continued. “I’ve had that outlook on life, you know what I mean? You can’t tell me I can’t do something because I’m too small… I’m not…. I’ll prove you wrong…. You can’t limit me because I’m the shorter guy.”
That mindset has helped Nelson navigate what he admits was a difficult transition “trying to figure out the pace and speed of the [AHL].” Since that initial hurdle, he notes that this rookie AHL season has been about “becoming the best version of myself that I can.”
For Nelson, that growth has manifested most in two areas of his game. First, he points to the nuances and finer points of defending at the professional level. “Coach Stu [Bickel] [and I] have been doing a lot of work on that, and it’s not so much even just like big things. It was just like little things about stick positioning and where you [put your stick] in certain situations.”
Second, he points to his puck possession. “I feel like just my confidence with the puck has been a lot better,” Nelson told Spicer. “I love to play in the offensive zone and make things happen… That’s something that I really felt like I’ve tried to dial up a notch—my confidence with the puck in making smart plays and making the right plays when they’re there.”
When comparing Nelson’s early season work to his more recent games, I tend to think Nelson’s self evaluation is spot on. This is encouraging in itself since it indicates a strong sense for the game.
Nelson’s still playing a relatively sheltered 5-on-5 role, often alongside a veteran like Maxim Lajoie and without tough matchup assignments. He also doesn’t have a regular special teams role, which leaves his ice time around 16 or 17 minutes per night. But this focused assignment has allowed Nelson to hone his defensive game, a necessary step if he’s going to earn an NHL role down the road. As Nelson said, he’s increasingly pairing his physicality at the net front and in the corners with more skilled defensive plays.
On the offensive end, he’s confidently holding the puck and defeating pressure with possession or considered passes. His early season rushed and scattered passes are less frequent now.
Similarly encouraging is Nelson’s dependability and durability. Already facing questions about his size, and coming off a season in which Nelson suffered a scary head injury, it is notable that he is the only rookie (and one of only two players total) to play in every game for the Firebirds this season. That is a great indicator of the staff’s confidence in him and his ability to withstand professional physicality.
If you’ve ever heard Nelson give an interview, it’s hard not to pull for him. He has an infectious personality and clear traits to be a leader and positive locker room presence for this team for years to come. The question was: Would his game hit a ceiling? There’s no evidence of that so far at the AHL level. And we’re not betting against him in the seasons ahead either.
Notes on three Kraken prospects
Julius Miettinen | F | Everett Silvertips (WHL)
Julius Miettinen celebrated his return to the Everett lineup last Sunday night with a goal. Miettinen had missed more than two months of play following a lower-body injury suffered at the World Juniors. Now he’ll take on a key role for the U.S. Division-champion Everett Silvertips as they look to make a run in the WHL playoffs. The burden will be even heavier following the news that teammate (and 2025 draft prospect) Carter Bear is likely out for the remainder of the season.
Nathan Villeneuve | F | Sudbury Wolves (OHL)
Nathan Villeneuve’s scoring rate continued its upward climb in the last two weeks. Villeneuve was averaging exactly one point per game when the calendar flipped over to 2025. Since then, his production sits at a much more impressive 1.4 points per game. For context, his 2025 scoring rate would rank 20th in the OHL if extended to the entire season, just slightly behind fellow Kraken prospect Carson Rehkopf. Overall, his 33 goals put him 17th in the league in goal scoring. His two goals and nine assists in six games since our last update earns him one of our two Sound Of Hockey Prospect(s) of the Week(s).
Ollie Josephson | F | Red Deer Rebels (WHL)
Josephson is not known for his scoring. Instead, his sound defense, speed, and transition skill drive his profile. Even so, Josephson had one of the more impressive prospect performances of the season on Tuesday, Mar. 11, when he had three goals and two assists in a 6-4 Rebels win. Nearly as impressive, he emerged from this relatively close game with a plus-five plus-minus. He’ll look to build on that performance down the home stretch of the season. With 11 points in seven games overall since our last update, he’s your (other) Sound Of Hockey Prospect of the Week(s).
Kraken prospects data update
Jani Nyman continued to score in the days leading up to his Kraken recall and debut, with three goals in three games.
Rehkopf, Villeneuve, and unsigned Kraken prospect Andrei Loshko all rank within the top-20 in the OHL in goal scoring.
The Kraken reassigned Victor Östman from the ECHL to the AHL with Ales Stezka nursing a day-to-day injury. Östman made his AHL debut last Wednesday, Mar. 5, and earned a win. (He also started and played well on Friday, Mar. 14, after this data was gathered.)
Semyon Vyazovoy continues to impress when given the opportunity in goal in the KHL, but he continues to operate as the lower-playing-time half of a tandem.
2024-25 Sound Of Hockey Prospect of the Week tracker
Berkly Catton: 3
Clarke Caswell: 2
Tyson Jugnauth: 2
Nathan Villeneuve: 2
Alexis Bernier: 1
Justin Janicke: 1
Ollie Josephson: 1
Andrei Loshko: 1
Oscar Fisker Mølgaard: 1
Victor Östman: 1
Caden Price: 1
Carson Rehkopf: 1
Jani Nyman: 1
Kim Saarinen: 1
Ryan Winterton: 1
Semyon Vyazovoy: 1
Previewing the week ahead
College hockey regular seasons have ended, though a few Kraken prospects playing in the NCAA ranks are still alive in conference championships.
Berkly Catton and the Spokane Chiefs take on Julius Miettinen and the Everett Silvertips on Sunday in Spokane.
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.
Friday night, the Seattle Kraken celebrated Women in Hockey Night, and the boys honored the occasion with a 4-2 win over the Utah Hockey Club. The fans at Climate Pledge Arena were still riding the high from Seattle’s thrilling comeback victory over the Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday and brought the energy to help will the team to another comeback triumph. This is the 18th come-from-behind win for the Kraken this season. Here are Three Takeaways.
Takeaway #1: Grubauer stands tall
This was Philipp Grubauer’s first game back in front of the home crowd since being waived and sent down to Coachella Valley, and the “Gruuuuuuuu” chants were heard throughout the night. Grubauer secured his second win in as many starts, delivering a performance that silenced critics who claim he never makes the big save or steals a game. On this night, he stole the game from Utah, making several key stops to keep the Kraken within striking distance and later preserving the lead.
They might have handed out the save of the game too early—because Gru just delivered a beauty! 🚫🔥 #SeaKraken hold onto their 3-2 lead with 6:48 remaining! pic.twitter.com/8FAJEZaEJI
Grubauer described his time in Coachella Valley as a chance to find his rhythm, saying, “[It’s about] reading the game. There are different situations against different teams, each with unique tendencies, and just seeing those game situations better.”
With a .939 save percentage over his last two starts, the German Gentleman has clearly found that rhythm. He was awarded the first star of the night and also earned the Kraken belt.
Takeaway #2: Bend, don’t break
Seattle got off to a dream start, with Eeli Tolvanen scoring his 20th goal of the season just 51 seconds into the game. But the momentum slowed after the opening 10 minutes, and Utah capitalized, with Nick Schmaltz tying the game before the first intermission. The sluggishness continued into the second period, and after a turnover in the neutral zone, Utah had a 3-on-2 rush that ended with Kevin Stenlund scoring into an open net to take a 2-1 lead at 7:35 of the second.
At that point, the Kraken could have folded, but instead, they dug in. A momentum-shifting hit from Jared McCann helped spark the comeback:
McCann delivers a big open-ice hit! 💥 Keller briefly considers dropping the gloves but wisely thinks better of it. Maybe this is the spark the #SeaKraken need! pic.twitter.com/Gfuvaxy2It
That hit energized the crowd again, and before the period was over, a lucky bounce off Brandon Montour’s skate found the back of the net to tie the game 2-2.
Head coach Dan Bylsma described the third period as “chaotic.” Grubauer continued to stand tall, and after a disallowed goal for Jaden Schwartz, Kaapo Kakko finally gave Seattle a 3-2 lead with a wraparound goal off a defensive miscue behind the net.
The Choco Taco delivers! 🌮🔥 Kakko buries a slick wrap-around goal off a turnover behind the net, giving the #SeaKraken a 3-2 lead! That’s his 11th of the season! pic.twitter.com/7uPW0iOdU7
The Kraken never looked back, with Tolvanen adding an empty-netter to seal the 4-2 win.
Takeaway #3: Montour, Tolvanen, and Eberle playing well
Outside of the second period, several Kraken players had strong performances, whether it was generating offense, killing penalties, or delivering key hits. Three players stood out, though: Brandon Montour, Eeli Tolvanen, and Jordan Eberle.
Eberle, the Kraken captain, notched two assists, extending his scoring streak to three games. He now has six points (one goal, five assists) over that span, with all five of his assists being primary helpers. Despite hearing he would need time to get his legs back, Eberle looks back to form after returning from his serious pelvis injury. This three-game stretch is his most productive of the season.
Montour scored his 16th goal of the season, tying his career high, and he now has five points in two games (three goals, two assists). He is currently on pace for 46 points, which would be the second-best total of his career. The smooth-skating defenseman jumped into the play and got rewarded when an Eberle pass deflected off his skate and into the net. Alison Lukan said it best, “They don’t ask ‘how?’ They ask ‘how many?'”
Tolvanen, meanwhile, has caught fire, scoring three goals in the last two games to give him the first 20-goal season of his career. His goals on Friday night were his 20th and 21st of the season, and Bylsma praised him postgame, saying, “He’s got 14 more [games] to go. I think he can get to 25 [goals], and that would be an exceptional season for him.”
What’s next for the Kraken?
Seattle faces a tough test in its next game, as the league-leading Winnipeg Jets come to town on March 16. The matchup will also mark Brandon Tanev’s return to Seattle since being traded on March 7. The Kraken are 0-1-1 against the Jets this season, with both losses coming in tightly contested one-goal games. Expect another hard-fought battle, as the Kraken look to continue their stretch of positive play since the trade deadline.
Blaiz Grubic
Blaiz Grubic is a contributor at Sound Of Hockey. A passionate hockey fan and player for over 30 years, Blaiz grew up in the Pacific Northwest and is an alumni of Washington State University (Go Cougs!). When he’s not playing, watching, or writing about hockey, he enjoys quality time with his wife and daughter or getting out on a golf course for a quick round. Follow @blaizg on BlueSky or X.
At the end of February, we reviewed the unrestricted free agents (UFAs). Now that the dust has settled from the trade deadline, we’ll shift our focus to the Seattle Kraken players set to become restricted free agents (RFAs) after this season.
A critical factor affecting contract negotiations is the NHL salary cap increasing 29 percent over the next three years to $113.5 million by the 2027-28 season. For the 2025-26 season, the cap will increase to $95.5 million. This increase complicates direct dollar-for-dollar contract comparisons. Therefore, I’ll include cap hit percentages to better contextualize contract values.
Kaapo Kakko
Target: Five years at $6 million (approximately six percent of the cap)
Let’s start with the player on everyone’s mind—Kaapo Kakko (whom I’ve playfully nicknamed “Choco Taco” and hope it sticks). This is Kakko’s sixth NHL season, and his current career-best offensive output is 40 points (18 goals, 22 assists) during the 2022-23 season. The Finnish native entered the league with significant expectations as the second overall pick in the 2019 NHL Draft and has been an NHL regular ever since.
Since arriving in Seattle, Kakko has injected noticeable energy into the top line. He has contributed 22 points (six goals, 16 assists) in just 33 games, which projects to roughly 55 points over a full season—which would be a new career high.
Including his earlier time with the New York Rangers this season and with 16 Kraken games remaining, Kakko is on pace for 47 points, which puts him on pace for a new career best.
The big-bodied winger excels at controlling the puck along the boards and driving into the offensive zone and isn’t shy about battling in front of the net. Notably, Kakko’s ice time has increased significantly, rising from 13:17 per game with the Rangers to 17:33 with the Kraken.
This increased ice time has boosted his points per 60 minutes (P/60) from 2.11 in New York to 2.28 in Seattle, ranking him fourth on the team behind Jared McCann (2.37), Jordan Eberle (2.49), and Shane Wright (2.65) as of March 12 for Kraken players with a minimum of 10 games played.
Despite these positives, Kakko remains somewhat unproven given he’s only played 33 games in a Kraken jersey. With only one 82-game season under his belt and being on pace for 79 this season, consistency remain a question. At just 24 years old, Kakko still has plenty of room for growth.
Comparable contracts
Comparable contracts for RFAs who signed through their early UFA years without hitting the 60-point threshold include:
Adrian Kempe: Four years, $5.5 million average annual value (6.7 percent of an $82.5 million cap)
Jared McCann: Five years, $5 million AAV (6.1 percent of an $82.5 million cap)
Pavel Zacha: One-year “prove-it” contract at $3.5 million AAV (4.2 percent of an $83.5 million cap)
Eeli Tolvanen: Two years, $3.475 million AAV (3.9 percent of an $88 million cap)
Martin Necas: Two years, $6.5 million AAV (7.4 percent of an $88 million cap)
Prediction
An eight-year deal remains possible, but given Kakko’s track record, a contract similar to Jared McCann’s five-year term seems more likely. A five-year contract between $5.75 million and $6.25 million annually (about six percent of next year’s projected $95.5 million cap) would be logical.
This length would provide Kakko with financial security, earning roughly $30 million, while still allowing him to sign another NHL contract at age 29. While $6 million might initially feel high, it’s consistent with comparable contracts, largely due to the anticipated salary cap increase. A five-year term would also reflect the Kraken paying for Kakko’s projected performance improvements.
Kakko holds arbitration rights, but his modest production to date likely gives the Kraken leverage, potentially leading to a salary lower than this projection. Alternatively, Kakko could choose to bet on himself with a shorter one- or two-year deal at a lower AAV, recognizing the cap will increase significantly—to $104 million by 2026-27 and $113.5 million by 2027-28. A shorter term would let Kakko hit the open market as a UFA as early as next year.
If he pursues a shorter contract, Pavel Zacha and Eeli Tolvanen contracts represent lower-end comparables, though Kakko would command a higher AAV. Expect a short-term contract to fall between five percent and 5.5 percent of the cap, roughly $4.75 million to $5.25 million annually.
This approach would benefit both sides, allowing Kakko to showcase his growth while enabling Seattle to assess his long-term fit and manage risk.
Ryker Evans
Target: Two years at $2.25-$2.75 million (approximately 2.8 percent of the cap)
Ryker Evans is completing his first full NHL season and has solidified himself as a versatile asset. Primarily a third-pairing defenseman with Josh Mahura, Evans frequently steps into higher roles when injuries arise.
He also shows promise quarterbacking the power play, though his opportunities are limited due to being behind Vince Dunn and Brandon Montour in the depth chart.
Evans averages significant ice time at 19:33 per game, notable for a third-pairing defenseman, highlighting the trust placed in him by the coaching staff.
Drafted as Seattle’s second-ever pick at 35th overall in 2021, Evans has justified the Kraken’s selection as an over-ager. Evans has four years of RFA status remaining and is not arbitration eligible, making a bridge contract of one to three years most likely.
Comparable contracts
Comparable contracts for RFA defensemen signed immediately following their entry-level contracts (ELCs), with similar performance levels and expiring during RFA years include:
Martin Fehervary: Three years, $2.675 million AAV (3.2 percent of an $83.5 million cap)
Nicolas Hague: Three years, $2.294 million AAV (2.8 percent of an $82.5 million cap)
Vince Dunn: One year at $1.875 million (2.3 percent of an $81.5 million cap)
Evans’ offensive skill set is similar to Dunn’s, as both are puck-moving defensemen who can quarterback a power play. Evans also contributes on the penalty kill. With the Kraken’s top-four defensemen seemingly locked in for next year, Evans is set to continue developing as the fifth defenseman. He could be preparing for a larger role once Jamie Oleksiak’s contract expires after the 2025-26 season.
Prediction
It feels likely that Evans will sign a bridge deal in the $2.25-$2.75 million range for one to three years, representing 2.5-2.75 percent of the salary cap. If the term were extended to four years, taking him to UFA status, his AAV would increase accordingly. In this scenario, former Seattle Kraken defenseman Will Borgen’s two-year, $2.7 million AAV contract becomes a more relevant comparison.
Borgen’s deal accounted for 3.2 percent of the cap, and Evans’ AAV would likely rise similarly. A four-year contract would likely push his salary into the $3-$3.5 million range, as the Kraken would be paying for additional control over his prime years.
Tye Kartye
Target: Two years at $1.3-$1.5 million (approximately 1.3 percent of the cap)
Tye Kartye joined the Kraken as an undrafted free agent, signing an ELC before the 2022-23 season. After spending one year with the AHL’s Coachella Valley Firebirds, he made an immediate impression during Seattle’s 2023 playoff run when he was called up after Jared McCann was injured by Cale Makar (booooo!).
Primarily utilized in a fourth-line role during his first two seasons with Seattle, there was optimism he’d elevate his offensive game this year, but that has yet to fully materialize. After a solid rookie season with 11 goals and 20 points, Kartye’s production slowed this season, with only eight points in 52 games.
To reignite his game, he had a brief, successful conditioning stint in Coachella Valley, tallying four points (two goals, two assists) in three games. The stint appeared beneficial, as Kartye scored his first Kraken goal in over three months in his first game back.
Kartye’s physical style is a significant asset to his game. He ranks second on the Kraken with 154 hits, trailing only Tolvanen (202). However, when normalized by ice time, Kartye leads the team (minimum 10 games played) with an impressive 18.30 hits per 60 minutes, well ahead of Tolvanen’s 13.17. Kartye consistently brings energy and physicality, making him a fan favorite.
Comparable contracts
Alexei Toropchenko: Two years, $1.25 million AAV (1.5 percent of an $83.5 million cap)
Carl Grundstrom: Two years, $1.3 million AAV (1.5 percent of an $82.5 million cap)
Michael Pezzetta: Two years, $812,500 AAV (1 percent of an $83.5 million cap)
As an RFA, Kartye’s qualifying offer from the Kraken must be at least 105 percent of his current base salary ($775k), equating to a minimum offer of $813,750. Given his contributions, Seattle is likely to offer above this threshold.
Prediction
Kartye turns 24 on April 30, meaning he still has three years of RFA eligibility remaining. Expect the Kraken to provide a moderate raise, resulting in a two-year deal worth around $1.3-$1.5 million annually.
This contract would allow Kartye the opportunity to further develop his offensive potential and provide Seattle a cost-effective, reliable fourth-line player. The ultimate hope is that Kartye evolves into a consistent middle-six winger capable of contributing offensively before negotiating his next contract.
Mikey Eyssimont
Target: One-year extension at $850K-$975K
Though it’s a small sample size of just four games, Mikey Eyssimont has made his presence felt on the Kraken’s fourth line, even chipping in a goal. Eyssimont is a fast skater who consistently gets the puck to the net. Initially viewed as a minor piece in the trade with Tampa Bay, Eyssimont could become an affordable depth option for next season.
With 16 games remaining, the Kraken will use this period to further evaluate Eyssimont’s fit within their system. If his solid play continues, general manager Ron Francis could extend Eyssimont for one year with a modest raise, likely between $850K and $975K. It is possible a second year of term would be required to get the deal done.
A solid group of RFAs
With three pending RFAs this offseason, I anticipate the Kraken will make efforts to retain each player. Given the substantial salary cap increase of $25.5 million expected over the next three years, early negotiations may help the Kraken avoid potential offer sheets, which teams can submit starting July 1. While it’s unlikely another team presents an offer sheet that Seattle wouldn’t match, it’s a scenario worth preparing for.
What do you think the Kraken should do with their RFAs? Would you offer more or less money than what I’ve predicted here, or is there anyone you’d let walk?
Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Blaiz Grubic
Blaiz Grubic is a contributor at Sound Of Hockey. A passionate hockey fan and player for over 30 years, Blaiz grew up in the Pacific Northwest and is an alumni of Washington State University (Go Cougs!). When he’s not playing, watching, or writing about hockey, he enjoys quality time with his wife and daughter or getting out on a golf course for a quick round. Follow @blaizg on BlueSky or X.
In a season that has brought some not-so-fun nights at Climate Pledge Arena, the Seattle Kraken managed to give their home fans a very fun night Wednesday. The Kraken rallied back from a two-goal deficit, scoring twice in the final 10 minutes to send the game to overtime, and then secured a game-winner just four seconds into the extra frame courtesy of a dazzling set play between Chandler Stephenson and Brandon Montour.
Seattle got a few monstrous individual performances from players like Montour and Jordan Eberle, plus a magical strike from Jani Nyman in his NHL debut and some late-game Matty Magic to equalize.
The Kraken came out flying in the first but only capitalized for one goal while also ringing three shots off the post. Montreal took control in the second and scored four straight goals, but Seattle showed its resiliency once again and earned a thrilling comeback victory.
“It was a really good first period, and they get the power-play goal, and they get the 4-on-4 goal, kind of special parts of the game, and then get up in the game,” coach Dan Bylsma said. “And I think going into the third, our mindset was, we thought there was enough there for us to come back in the game.”
Here are Three Takeaways from a memorable 5-4 Kraken overtime win over the Canadiens.
Takeaway #1: What a night for Montour
I’m starting with Montour’s performance, although Nyman was arguably the bigger story. Don’t worry, we’ll get to him in Takeaway #2.
Remember, Montour had his first-ever hat trick against Montreal when Seattle hung eight goals on the Habs in their barn back on Oct. 29. On Wednesday, he again was the top statistical performer, notching a whopping four points (2-2—4).
On why he’s had so much success against that particular team, Montour said, “It’s just shooting the puck, really… Guys are finding me in the right areas, and [we have good] net front. It’s nice to see a couple go through.”
Montour was everywhere in this game and got rewarded with both the game’s first and last goals.
On the first goal, 4:54 into the first period, Jordan Eberle notched his first of three assists by jumping to knock down Jakub Dobes’ rim-around clearing attempt. He found Montour streaking in and laid it out for him to skate in, pick his spot, and rip it past the Habs netminder.
BRANDON BOMB-TOUR! 💣 🚨
Good forecheck by Jordan Eberle, who jumps to cut off the rim-around, then finds Montour.
The last goal was the special one. As the teams lined up for the extra frame’s opening draw, the Canadiens positioned three players across the red line rather than keeping one back at the top of the circle for defense. Montour lined up on the right wing opposite rookie phenom Lane Hutson, who lamented after the game that he had “missed his check.”
Stephenson won the puck directly forward, and with the pre-determined play in place between the two players, Montour jumped past Hutson and was off to the races. He ripped a snap shot over Dobes’ glove and sent the fans home happy while also tying the all-time NHL record for the fastest goal ever to start a period.
“That was Chandler, to be honest. He came up with it,” Montour said. “I told Chandler just to make sure he was staying back, just in case anything went south. I saw he bumped it up, and we went for it, so it was nice to see.”
Bylsma called the play “brilliant.”
The goal was Montour’s 15th of the season, setting a new franchise record for goals in a season by a defenseman.
“Monty’s kind of one of the spearheads for how we want to play,” Bylsma said. “Play fast and quick and with some moxie and some jam, and he’s the type of player that just has the big-time, big-play ability for your team. Obviously [you see that] with four points tonight.”
Takeaway #2: A special debut for Jani Nyman
Sometimes, when a young player makes his NHL debut, you see nerves and tentativeness. We never once saw that from Li’l Jani Nyman in this game. On the contrary, on his very first shift, he threw his big body around to win a puck battle in the defensive zone and start a breakout, then went straight to the top of the blue paint in the offensive zone, where he could be seen on many occasions throughout the game.
On Seattle’s first power play, Nyman got his first chance to let his lethal one-timer fly at the NHL level and nearly dented the post behind Dobes.
[PING!] Li’l Jani with an absolute laser beam off the post.
On his next great power-play look, which didn’t come until 10:53 of the third with Seattle trailing 4-2, Nyman didn’t miss. Eberle gained the zone and took the puck deep before banking it off the boards to Montour at the point. Montour sent it right back to Eberle, and that little back-and-forth exchange, which seemed inconsequential in the moment, created just enough time for Nyman to get himself lost in the slot.
Eberle slid a cheeky little dish into Nyman’s wheelhouse, and he ripped a snapper past Dobes.
LI’L JANI NYMAN SCORES HIS FIRST NHL GOAL AND HIS PARENTS ARE LOVING IT! ❤️ 🚨
Great setup by Eberle for his third assist of the game, great finish by Nyman.
“It’s an amazing pass,” Nyman said. “It’s easy work doing the score. It’s almost an empty netter.”
Nyman became the first Kraken draft pick to score in his NHL debut (Beniers had an assist in his first game, then scored goals in his second and third games). His parents had flown in from Finland for the game, too, making for some beautiful reactions after he scored.
“The message to him is go out and leave no doubt about what kind of player you are and what you’re good at,” Bylsma said. “And I think he did a good job of showing that tonight.”
Bylsma then flipped the script in his presser, asking me what I thought of Nyman’s performance. I said, “I thought he played pretty well.”
Takeaway #3: Interesting lineup
**Author’s note: Before I get into this Takeaway, let it be known that I do not care how much ice time any player gets, including Shane Wright. I trust the Kraken know how to deploy him and have shown they know what they’re doing with his development. That said, there was a funny interaction related to his ice time after the game, so I’m sharing it.**
Seattle didn’t run full line rushes in practice Tuesday and held an optional morning skate Wednesday, so I wasn’t sure how they’d line up in this game. We knew Nyman was in, and we also knew Bylsma wanted to put him in a position to succeed, meaning a top-nine spot.
So, who would be bumped down to the fourth line?
Surprisingly, it was Shane Wright, who has been one of Seattle’s best offensive players since December. When we tweeted the lineup, fans freaked out about Wright on the fourth line, so I asked Bylsma about the thought process behind it.
“With Jani going into the lineup, we went with four centermen, with Canner in the middle of the rink,” Bylsma said.
Fair enough.
But then he added: “So you’re the only person labeling it as the fourth line.”
Whoa! Whoa! First of all, I am definitely NOT the only person labeling it the fourth line, but it definitely is a fourth line that played fourth-line minutes (Wright had the most ice time of the trio with just 10:40). Second of all, I only asked the question because fans seemed to be fired up about it on social media, and I wanted to give Bylsma a chance to explain why that happened in this game.
Now, having said all that, I know Bylsma was (mostly) joking with his potshot at me, and I probably deserved it to some degree for asking a lineup question after a thrilling win. Plus, to further stuff me in that locker, the team looked mostly very good in this game and came away with a thrilling victory.
So, I guess you could say the lineup worked? Either way, no need to call security, I will show myself out.
Darren Brown
Darren Brown is the Chief Content Officer at soundofhockey.com and the host of the Sound Of Hockey Podcast. He is a member of the PHWA and is also usually SOH’s Twitter intern (but please pretend you don’t know that). Follow him @DarrenFunBrown and @sound_hockey or email darren@soundofhockey.com.
The mood was noticeably light at Kraken Community Iceplex on Tuesday, where the Seattle Kraken returned for their first full home practice since last week’s NHL Trade Deadline, which saw four players—Oliver Bjorkstrand, Yanni Gourde, Brandon Tanev, and Daniel Sprong—jettisoned from the organization.
Even for a team where so many things have gone wrong this season, the players surely felt the impending deadline weighing on them. Now that it’s in the rearview mirror, perhaps that changes the sentiment around the group a bit.
“The deadline and the events of the deadline always are introspective to where you’re at in the season and how your team’s doing,” coach Dan Bylsma said. “As a group, the guys realize we’re not where we want to be or where we think we should be. And the focus here the rest of the way is getting to our best hockey, getting to—both individually and as a team… projecting for the future.”
The group on the ice had a slightly different look, too, with newcomer Mikey Eyssimont skating at KCI for the first time, along with call-ups Cale Fleury and John Hayden. Recently recalled Jani Nyman also joined the team in advance of his expected NHL debut on Wednesday against the Montreal Canadiens.
Li’l Jani Nyman arrives
Nyman’s arrival may not be drawing a big hoopla, but there are hopes among the Kraken and their fanbase that the 20-year-old winger from Valkeakoski, Finland, could be a full-time NHLer relatively soon.
A big, imposing presence at 6-foot-2, 212 pounds, Nyman stands out on the ice. It’s a specific skill he possesses that puts him on the cusp of playing in the world’s best league, though, and that specific skill is the reason he has been a successful pro scorer in both the Finnish Liiga, where he scored more than any under-20 player in nearly 40 years, and in the American Hockey League, where he leads all rookies in goals.
“Almost immediately, you have to notice his shot,” Bylsma said. “That’s a big part of him being an effective player.”
Nyman agreed that his shot is his biggest asset but also knows that his skating (like his English) remains a work in progress.
“I think [I’ve improved] my skating,” Nyman said. “I’m a big man. I’m a big man, so of course I want to improve my skating.”
With his massive size, Nyman’s foot speed has always been the key area for improvement to put himself in contention for an NHL roster spot. Bylsma, who coached him at the end of last season in Coachella Valley, wants Nyman to ensure he’s always moving his feet to put himself in a position to use his lethal shot.
“The feet and the skating— in order for him to [use his shot], you’ve got to see him moving his feet. It can’t be a stationary game,” Bylsma said. “And that’s kind of what he’s developed this year: an all-around game and a skating game. He’s moving his feet and getting to spots where you can see that shot over and over again.”
That will be something to watch when Nyman makes his NHL debut Wednesday at Climate Pledge Arena. Does he look like he’s constantly moving to get himself open for opportunities? Or is he standing still along the half-wall, hoping his teammates can find him?
Bylsma will be putting him in a position to succeed, playing the right flank on the power play and—presumably—in a top-nine forward position.
“He’s a goal-scorer [with] a heavy shot, a big-bodied guy in the offensive zone, and he’s going to have a chance to [show that]. You’ll see him on the power play, we’re going to have four good lines as a result of him being in, but we’ll see him in a spot at 5-on-5 in an opportunity to show what he can do.”
Exactly where Nyman slots in at 5-on-5 remains to be seen and may not be revealed until warmups, as the team didn’t do full line rushes on Tuesday and is holding an optional skate on Wednesday.
Nyman excited for the opportunity
Like any young player on the precipice of his NHL debut, Nyman was all smiles after practice on Tuesday, sharing that his parents were en route from Finland to witness the momentous occasion.
“Oh, this is the biggest— [such a] big thing for my family and me,” Nyman said. “My mom and dad are coming right now to fly into here, and we are so excited.”
Helping him feel more comfortable in the NHL dressing room, Nyman joined a growing row of Finnish players, with his stall located next to those of Eeli Tolvanen and Kaapo Kakko. That gives him a chance to speak his native tongue and get shown the ropes.
“We speak a certain language, and yeah, it’s great [to have them here],” Nyman said. “It’s great to [make] new friends, and [I’m] very happy.”
Getting to know Mikey Eyssimont
Newly acquired energy forward Mikey Eyssimont also addressed the media after the skate, bringing folks up to speed on his background, style of play, and how his first week in the Kraken organization has been.
“It started off as kind of a whirlwind, but being able to settle into a road trip— I’ve done a thousand of those, so it’s kind of a nice way to get to know everyone,” Eyssimont said. “My game is a lot of speed and grit, so that’s something that’s kind of more of a decision than a skill. So if you play that way, hopefully, you can fit in anywhere. And I think I was kind of able to do that over the past three games.”
Eyssimont made a nice first impression, scoring a goal in his first game as a Kraken against the Nashville Predators, though it came late in a losing effort.
“It’s nice to get it out of the way. You know, you don’t want to be plugging away for that first one for a while. We lost that game, but I guess that’s the positive you can take from it.”
When Eyssimont was first announced as the lone player coming back in the Yanni Gourde/Oliver Bjorkstrand trade with the Tampa Bay Lightning (Seattle also obtained two top-10-protected first-round picks and a second-round pick in the deal), it was assumed he was something of a throw-in player to help Tampa Bay create the cap space to consummate the trade.
But Eyssimont, in the last year of his two-year contract with an average annual value of $800K, could be a fit for next season and is trying to prove that.
“[I just want to] help the team win games,” Eyssimont said. “This team, I think, has underachieved. We see how good we were against a top-two-or-three team in the league in Washington. That’s a game that if we play that same game 10 times, we win a majority of those games. Unfortunately, it didn’t happen that way.”
So far, Eyssimont comes as advertised with speed and energy, and at a very reasonable cap hit, he may be better suited to a fourth-line or even 13th-forward role than guys like Gourde and Brandon Tanev, who were combining to eat up a whopping $8.66 million of cap space.
So, there’s definitely some consideration being given by Seattle to keep Eyssimont around beyond this season.
“It’s an exciting group to be a part of because of the underachieving,” Eyssimont said, implying that the team could be much better next season. “There’s a standard here, and there’s still time in the season to meet that.”
Darren Brown
Darren Brown is the Chief Content Officer at soundofhockey.com and the host of the Sound Of Hockey Podcast. He is a member of the PHWA and is also usually SOH’s Twitter intern (but please pretend you don’t know that). Follow him @DarrenFunBrown and @sound_hockey or email darren@soundofhockey.com.
The Seattle Kraken wrapped up the week 1-3-0, but the story of the week wasn’t the outcomes on the ice. In case you’ve been in isolation since last Wednesday, the Kraken made three trades, sending three cornerstone players off to greener pastures. Last Wednesday, the Kraken traded Yanni Gourde and Oliver Bjorkstrand to the Tampa Bay Lightning for two first-round draft picks, a second-round pick, and Mikey Eyssimont. Then, on Friday morning, the Kraken sent Brandon Tanev to the Winnipeg Jets for a second-round pick.
All three players had devout followings among Kraken faithful, and in the case of Tanev and Gourde, they were two of the remaining original NHL Expansion Draft picks from 2021. Both Tanev and Gourde were on expiring contracts, so neither of their trades came as a surprise. We also predicted a player with term might be traded as well: enter Bjorkstrand.
Now what?
As of now, the 2025-26 Seattle Kraken roster got worse with Bjorkstrand’s departure, but what the team lost in on-ice skill, they captured in significant currency that can be leveraged to make next season’s team better. The Kraken now have five first-round draft picks and five second-round draft picks over the next three drafts. But don’t think that signals the Kraken are rebuilding.
General manager Ron Francis made himself available to several media outlets since the trade deadline, and he made it clear that the team plans to use these newly acquired assets this offseason. Speaking to Ian Furness on KJR radio last Friday, Ron said, “We are not looking to draft 10 players with these 10 picks. What we’re hoping to do is package the first and second or two seconds or two firsts or whatever we have to do in the summertime leading up to the draft to go out and get somebody.”
These situations are usually available when teams are up against the cap, but with the upper limit of the salary cap going up by $7.5 million next season, getting teams to flip valuable assets might be easier said than done now that all 32 teams get some more breathing room.
The Kraken currently have over $20 million in cap space for next season, but they will still need to sign pending restricted free agents Tye Kartye, Ryker Evans, and last but not least, Kaapo Kakko.
Here is a quick look at the cap situation for the Kraken next season:
That is a lot of cap space, and there is also a scenario where they don’t spend it in free agency and hope someone needs to dump a bigger contract after free agency, like Columbus handed Bjorkstrand over to Seattle or Minnesota with Kevin Fiala back in 2022.
Forever grateful for Yanni Gourde
We all knew it was coming, but from a fan’s perspective, losing Yanni Gourde was a heartbreaker. I don’t think you could have launched a franchise with a better personality than Yanni. I remember his first training camp back in 2021 when he was flying around the ice with a red non-contact jersey while rehabbing from an offseason shoulder injury.
From Day 1, his compete level was so fun to watch. He was a spark plug on the ice and left it all out there every game he played. He was obviously a huge part of the 2023 playoff team and was a player built for the playoffs. He led the Kraken in points in their only playoff appearance, including this beauty of a timely goal in Game 1 of the second-round series against Dallas.
I also loved his uncanny ability to be consistently transparent in interviews when most hockey interviews give you the same cliché responses. He was great when we had him on the Sound Of Hockey Podcast too, but one of my favorite interviews was the one he gave Piper in a game where the Kraken looked awful.
Candidate for intermission interview of the season right here from @PiperShawTV
Also Yanni Gourde is a real one. Ton of time for this guy.
There was also the human element that gave us a glimpse of Yanni and the Gourdes off the ice. It is impossible to narrow down one moment as my favorite, but this season’s Gourds with Gourde was a great look into how he and his family shared some of his off-ice life in Seattle.
We will miss you, Yanni, and wish you all the best for the rest of this season and beyond.
Oliver Bjorkstrand
Listeners of the pod know that Bjorkstrand was one of my favorite players. Getting him for a third- and a fourth-round pick in the summer of 2022 was a steal for Ron Francis and company. Bjorkstrand was very soft-spoken off the ice, which was part of his charm. He was a big reason why the Kraken even qualified for the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs, and they would not have advanced to the second round without his two goals in their 2-1 win in Game 7 of Round 1 against the Colorado Avalanche.
I was also able to interact with Oliver a bit off the ice when I presented him with a loaf of Rugbrød for our preseason podcast interview. I wish you all could have seen his surprised face as I pulled the loaf out of the bag. He was always nice to people around him and always gracious with his time.
The Kraken games over the last week
Oh, yes, and games were played. As mentioned earlier, the Kraken went 1-3-0 over the last week with a 4-3 loss at home to the Minnesota Wild, a stinker of a game against the Nashville Predators in a 5-3 loss, a dominant 4-1 win over the Philadelphia Flyers, and then a tough 4-2 loss to the Washington Capitals on Sunday. Other than the Nashville game, the players competed when they could have easily started to mail it in the rest of the season. If they play like they did over the weekend for the rest of the season, I will be happy to watch this team the rest of the way.
Kraken Trivia: With the departures of Gourde and Tanev, seven players remain with the Seattle Kraken organization from the expansion selections. Can you name them?
Other musings
Part of the Bjorkstrand/Gourde trade was Mikey Eyssimont being included in the package from Tampa Bay. He was a fourth-line player averaging under 11 minutes of time on ice and on an expiring deal, so I didn’t expect much. But after two games, he looks like a solid fourth-line option for the Kraken next season.
When the news broke about the Bjorkstrand/Gourde trade, I was stepping onto the ice for a lunch skate. After the skate, I had about 20 text messages from various hockey people. In case there was any doubt, the overwhelming consensus was extremely positive for Seattle. I really like how the Kraken have handled all trade deadlines to date.
The Kraken have now acquired 12 draft picks (one first-rounder, six second-rounders, two third-rounders, two fourth-rounders, and one seventh-rounder) with their expansion pick selections, plus Kaapo Kakko.
With Bjorkstrand moving on, that’s one fewer Seattle Kraken player that will participate in the Olympics next winter. Don’t worry, there will still be a reason to watch Denmark — Kraken prospect Oscar Fisker Mølgaard is expected to be on the Danish team.
Ron Francis confirmed that one of the top Kraken prospects, Jani Nyman, will be getting called up to Coachella Valley for some games with the Seattle Kraken before the season ends. He is the only Kraken prospect I would pencil in for next season. Even then, I am still using a pencil.
The Kraken went 0-for-4 in the Washington Capitals game over the weekend. That is one of the big opportunities for improvement next season, and I wonder if Nyman is part of the solution.
One of Ron Francis’ media stops was on the pregame show on the Kraken Hockey Network before the Washington Capitals game on Sunday.
Adam Larsson (SEA) – Larsson isn’t known for his offense, so he rarely gets mentioned in player performance reviews. However, over the last four games, the Big Cat has two goals and two assists. After he scores is also one of the rare times we get to see Larsson smile. 😊
1-0 #SeaKraken
Larsson bats in his D-partner’s rebound for his 50th NHL goal! (Nice screen by Schwartz)
Alexis Bernier (BAC/SEA) – The 2024 third-round selection of the Seattle Kraken had five points over his last three games for Baie-Comeau Drakkar of the QMJHL. Bernier is fifth in points among defensemen in the Q this season.
Victor Ostman (CVF/SEA) – The Kansas City Mavericks goalie got called up to Coachella Valley and won his first AHL game last week, saving 23 out of 25 shots in the Firebirds’ win over the Calgary Wranglers. Ostman was a free-agent signing last spring and is having a good season for the Mavericks in the ECHL with a record of 21-7-4.
The week ahead
The Kraken return home for a challenging three-game homestand with games against Montreal, Utah, and Winnipeg. There will be a lot of eyes focused on Juraj Slafkovský and Shane Wright in the Montreal game. If you don’t know the backstory, for most of the season leading up to the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, Wright was projected to go first overall. Weeks before the draft, the projections started to shift. Montreal selected Slafkovský first overall, and Wright slipped to the Seattle Kraken at fourth.
Since then, there has been a confirmation bias campaign by both fan bases to prove which player is better. Wright has also been unfairly scrutinized for his development path, going back to junior his post-draft season and playing last season in the AHL. Meanwhile, Slafkovský made the jump immediately to the NHL and has already played 181 NHL games.
Looking at this season, Wright has 15 goals and 23 assists, and Slafkovský has 11 goals and 24 assists, further igniting the debate over who is better. The reality is that both players appear to be good NHL players, but this is a fun side story that will likely never go away. Montreal still has a lot to play for, sitting just three points out of a playoff spot, and they were embarrassed back in October when the Kraken scored eight goals in their 8-2 win in Montreal.
The game against the Jets will also be interesting, as Tanev will be right back on the ice at Climate Pledge Arena, facing the team that just traded him.
Trivia Answer: The Seattle Kraken players that were selected in the 2021 expansion draft that remain with the team are Joey Daccord, Jared McCann, Jordan Eberle, Jamie Oleksiak, Vince Dunn, Adam Larsson, and Cale Fleury.
All things considered, it was a pretty fun weekend of Seattle Kraken hockey. In back-to-back games with travel, Seattle prevailed 4-1 against the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday and had the Eastern Conference-leading Washington Capitals on the ropes for much of Sunday afternoon before falling just short in a 4-2 loss.
Now that Seattle has fully thrown in the towel on its postseason hopes, the results don’t matter as much anymore—just getting to watch entertaining games is all we ask for.
Here are Three Takeaways from an fun pair of Kraken games against the Flyers and Capitals.
Takeaway #1: Big weekend for Chandler Stephenson
Center Chandler Stephenson—despite some criticism from Kraken fans due to the seven-year, $43.75 million contract he signed as a free agent—has quietly put together a solid first season in the Pacific Northwest.
He had a standout weekend, scoring a shorthanded goal on a breakaway Saturday in Philadelphia and assisting on Jordan Eberle’s Sunday, the captain’s first goal since returning from a pelvis injury.
Stephenson’s assist Sunday was pretty. Eeli Tolvanen gained control of the puck along the boards in the neutral zone and flicked it ahead past three Capitals players. Stephenson collected the puck and skated in on a 2-on-1 with Eberle, threading a pass through newly acquired Capitals forward Anthony Beauvillier. Eberle buried it short-side.
That was Stephenson’s 32nd assist of the season, leading the Kraken in that category. He now has 43 points (11 goals, 32 assists), ranking second on the team behind Jared McCann.
Takeaway #2: Gru back in the net
Philipp Grubauer got his first start in net against the Flyers on Saturday since being recalled from the Coachella Valley Firebirds. He made the most of his AHL stint, going 5-2 in the minors, and returned with a strong performance.
Grubauer allowed just one goal, and even that came off a fluky play. Ryker Evans attempted to poke the puck away from Owen Tippett but inadvertently popped it up, causing it to bounce off Tippett and trickle past Grubauer.
Statistically, Grubauer posted a .958 save percentage, his second-best outing of the season. He was the best penalty killer on the ice too, helping Seattle shut down all five of Philadelphia’s power play opportunities.
One common criticism of Grubauer is that he doesn’t always make the big save when needed. That wasn’t the case Saturday. With the game tied 1-1, rookie sensation Matvei Michkov collected a rebound and backhanded what looked like a sure goal toward an open net, but Grubauer reached back with his glove and snagged it out of the air. Just 38 seconds later, Matty Beniers scored, and the Kraken never looked back.
Takeaway #3: Special teams
Seattle had four power play opportunities against the Capitals but couldn’t convert. They maintained possession in the offensive zone but struggled to generate quality chances against Washington’s seventh-ranked penalty kill (81.7 percent). Adding in a 0-for-3 effort against Philadelphia, the Kraken went 0-for-7 on the power play over the weekend.
On the flip side, they didn’t allow a power-play goal and even scored shorthanded, finishing plus-one in special teams situations. The Flyers, coached by John Tortorella, came up empty on five power plays and have struggled all season, converting just 15.3 percent of their chances.
Seattle’s power play continues to be a problem, clicking at just 18.4 percent—26th in the NHL and below last season’s mark of 20.7 percent (16th in the NHL).
Bonus Takeaway: The back-to-back struggles continue
Seattle came out strong against Washington, outshooting the Capitals 14-7 in the first period and taking a 1-0 lead. The Kraken have struggled with slow starts this season, but that wasn’t the case Sunday. However, despite a solid effort, they ultimately fell to the now league-leading Capitals. It never felt like they gave up—until Alex Ovechkin sealed the game with an empty-net goal, the 886th of his career.
Career goal No. 886 and career point No. 1600 for Alex Ovechkin. #Gr8Chase
The Kraken are now 0-10 in the second leg of back-to-back games. They have one more back-to-back set this season on March 18-19 against the Chicago Blackhawks and Minnesota Wild. While the playoffs are out of reach this year, figuring out how to win these tough turnaround games will be crucial if Seattle hopes to make a playoff push next season.
Now that the dust has settled on the 2025 NHL Trade Deadline, I wanted to share my thoughts on what the Seattle Kraken did—and didn’t do—taking a more holistic view than in past articles that focused more specifically on the Yanni Gourde/Oliver Bjorkstrand deal and the Brandon Tanev deal.
In total, the Seattle Kraken moved out four players—Gourde, Bjorkstrand, Tanev, and Ding Dong Daniel Sprong [tear]—and received two top-10 protected first-round draft picks, two second-round picks, a seventh-round pick, and 28-year-old depth forward Mikey Eyssimont, who is on an expiring contract and could theoretically be brought back next year if Seattle wants him.
In terms of return, it’s a fantastic haul of draft capital that gives Seattle five first-round picks and five second-round picks over the next three NHL Drafts.
Coming into this deadline period, I was personally hopeful that the organization would use it as an opportunity to bring in more young players—guys who perhaps haven’t had the chance to excel at the NHL level yet or who are stuck in situations where the upside is clear, but the fit just hasn’t worked for whatever reason (i.e., more Kaapo Kakko types). Instead, general manager Ron Francis swung deals almost entirely for draft picks, which does seem to be the more common return this time of year.
Currency for future deals
At face value, the draft picks acquired won’t help the team for years. A 2026 late-first-round pick likely wouldn’t have a shot at becoming a full-time NHLer and making a real impact until at least 2029, maybe later. But even late first-rounders are valuable chips in this league, so Francis and his staff should be able to parlay them into NHL-ready talent during the offseason.
Francis confirmed this as the plan in his press conference on Friday.
“I said we’ve got 10 picks. We’re not sitting here hoping to draft 10 players, we’re hoping to use those picks as capital to try and acquire players and speed things up.”
While this trade deadline was a full-blown seller’s market, it’s exciting to think about the kind of talent Francis could land if he really is willing to throw around first- and second-round picks this summer.
They could have done more
I was generally very impressed with the return Seattle got for the trades it made. Bringing back two first-rounders and a second in the Gourde/Bjorkstrand deal is nothing short of remarkable, and getting a second-round pick with no salary retention for the expiring contract of overpaid fourth-liner Brandon Tanev is more than fair. So, credit where it’s due—because on the heels of the Kakko trade earlier this season, Francis and Co. did a great job with these moves.
Heck, even getting a seventh-rounder for Sprong is notable, considering he was acquired for a bag of pucks earlier this season and didn’t even stick with the NHL club.
The greedy side of me wishes Francis had continued striking while the iron was hot, though. Trading Bjorkstrand—who was an All-Star last season, had 16 goals and 21 assists this season, and still has a year left on his contract—was a signal that the team was ready to shake up its core beyond just moving impending unrestricted free agents.
With the kinds of returns being thrown around for players of that caliber, I was curious to see what Francis could get for guys like Jamie Oleksiak and Jaden Schwartz, whose names somehow stayed out of any major rumors leading up to the deadline.
Again, credit where it’s due, but there was an opportunity to bring back even more and create an even bigger shakeup in a core that hasn’t delivered enough success.
The health excuse
I’m also not a fan of the injury excuse, which Francis brought up in his press conference—while also simultaneously stating that injuries shouldn’t be used as an excuse. He implied that the team was closer to contention than it appeared, even though it was 11 points out of a playoff spot when the trades started, and that missing Jordan Eberle for most of the season, along with significant injuries to Vince Dunn and Yanni Gourde, hurt their chances.
“Obviously, we want to get healthy and hope that that happens next year,” Francis said. “We have to look at things, because obviously I felt going into the season, we’re a team that could compete for a playoff spot, and we’re not there.”
It’s true that those injuries had a major impact on the team’s ability to compete, throwing the lineup into a seemingly never-ending state of flux. But then I think about a team like the Minnesota Wild, who beat the Kraken last week. They have been decimated by injuries this season and have been without their superstar forward Kirill Kaprizov since Jan. 26. In fact, Kaprizov has only played 37 games all season, and other key players like Jonas Brodin, Joel Eriksson Ek, and Jared Spurgeon have also missed significant time.
I’m not saying Minnesota is the ideal model to follow—they’ve never won a Stanley Cup—but despite many injury issues, they are still firmly in a playoff spot. My point here is that a roster needs to be deep enough to withstand a few injuries to key players, because injuries happen every single year to every single team.
So, here’s hoping that the draft capital acquired at this deadline is put to good use and that the Kraken ice a much more talented team next season that can withstand the absences that will surely happen again.
Darren Brown
Darren Brown is the Chief Content Officer at soundofhockey.com and the host of the Sound Of Hockey Podcast. He is a member of the PHWA and is also usually SOH’s Twitter intern (but please pretend you don’t know that). Follow him @DarrenFunBrown and @sound_hockey or email darren@soundofhockey.com.
As expected, Brandon Tanev has been traded to the Winnipeg Jets for a second-round pick in 2027, as reported by Darren Dreger. Tanev was held out of Thursday night’s game in Nashville for trade-related purposes while this deal was finalized. It’s a homecoming, in a way, for Tanev, who spent parts of the first four seasons of his NHL career in Winnipeg.
The second-round pick is a solid return for Tanev. The Kraken will have to wait until 2027 to use it, but like the picks acquired in the Yanni Gourde/Oliver Bjorkstrand trade, it could also serve as a valuable asset in a future trade.
Tanev was the Seattle Kraken’s 2021 Expansion Draft selection from the Pittsburgh Penguins and has been with the team since its inaugural season. He has appeared in 238 games for Seattle, tallying 83 points (41 goals, 42 assists) and also played in all 14 Kraken playoff games, contributing four points (one goal, three assists). One of his most memorable goals for the Kraken was a shorthanded tally in Game 2 of the first round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Colorado Avalanche. The Kraken won the series but lost that game 3-2, though Tanev’s celebration lives on.
Tanev was not known for his scoring contributions but rather for his high-energy and physical play, which earned him the nickname “Turbo.” The fast-skating Tanev ranks in the 91st percentile in the NHL for speed bursts over 20 mph, according to NHL Edge data as of March 6.
In addition to his speed, Tanev was a key penalty killer, leading all Kraken forwards in average shorthanded ice time (2:19) since the inaugural season. He was a fixture on the penalty kill and will be missed.
Defensively, Tanev leaves Seattle as the franchise leader among forwards in both blocked shots (243) and hits (558). These stats underscore the heart and effort he brought to the ice, which is why he became a fan favorite in Seattle.
This season, Tanev primarily played as a fourth-line winger. With Jordan Eberle easing back into the lineup and rotating between the third and fourth lines, he was bound to return to a top-six role. Oliver Bjorkstrand’s trade to the Tampa Bay Lightning accelerated that transition, as Eberle joined the second line against the Nashville Predators on Thursday night. Jacob Melanson, Ben Meyers, and Mikey Eyssimont formed the fourth line in that game, while Tanev sat out for trade-related reasons. The trio was noticeable as a true fourth line.
Tye Kartye was recalled from his stint in Coachella Valley and will likely slot back in as well, meaning the fourth line will be a rotating mix of players. As the season winds down, expect more call-ups from Coachella Valley to give young prospects valuable NHL experience. Players like Jani Nyman (“Li’l Jani”) and Ryan Winterton could see ice time before the year is up.
The Tanev trade is no surprise
Hockey is a business, and while it’s tough to see original Kraken players leave, there were indications that Tanev was unlikely to re-sign with Seattle after this season. In that context, getting a valuable asset in return is a positive. The Kraken continue their push to improve and get younger, and this move aligns with that objective.
Blaiz Grubic
Blaiz Grubic is a contributor at Sound Of Hockey. A passionate hockey fan and player for over 30 years, Blaiz grew up in the Pacific Northwest and is an alumni of Washington State University (Go Cougs!). When he’s not playing, watching, or writing about hockey, he enjoys quality time with his wife and daughter or getting out on a golf course for a quick round. Follow @blaizg on BlueSky or X.
