Another Krak at This

Team: 2023-24 Seattle Kraken

Initial Creation Date: Jun. 22, 2023

Published: Jun. 22, 2023

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

The chatter is around Yamamoto right now, but I don't think Francis will part with the assets necessary to secure him, principally because he's unproven despite the opportunities he's had at Edmonton. Still the Oilers need some cap space and look to be an interesting trade partner, even if it is in division.
Instead I see Ron attempting to secure a player he previously drafted to fill a combative bottom 6 role to fill the void left by Donato and Sprong earning bigger price tags than we're prepared to commit to. The price isn't going to be much and with 3 2nd round picks the Kraken can spare one. There's no long term implications on the contract, giving Francis lots of flexibility next offseason when Beniers and Tolvanen will be due raises and the cap is projected to increase markedly.

This offseason's priority is securing Dunn long-term, along with getting Borgen and Geekie on decent bridge deals. Otherwise we're treading water to give Beniers, Wright, Evans and the prospect pool a year of development. With the various clauses on contracts and good squad vibes I don't see the Kraken actively trading anyone away. And I think they'll be content to run the same Top9 back and see where we are at trade deadline. If we're on the outside then Eberle, Wennberg, Foegele and Schultz become interesting pieces to entice a contender to add for depth and thus continue to build the pipeline for Seattle which is still PlanA in the 3rd year of the franchise.

IF Wright is able to (elibility is still up in the air) then I think a full season in the AHL will be the best development option for him, priming him to step up into Wennberg's spot in 24/25 as the Swede's contract expires.

If you're wondering about the Daccord signing and stashing in AHL, see this great article on Sound of Hockey for the theory on that contract: https://soundofhockey.com/2023/06/06/the-seattle-kraken-have-decisions-to-make-on-their-internal-free-agents/