We’ve got some more NHL rumours as the trade deadline draws ever closer. Teams are already making moves before the Friday deadline. We know a lot of teams will be buyers, but there are also a number of sellers looking to build for the future. The market could get intense as we near the big day. One team that could shape the deadline is the Seattle Kraken. This edition of NHL rumours looks at what they might do in the lead-up to Friday.
All NHL Rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
Seattle Kraken Could Shape Course of Trade Deadline
Rumour: David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period said a number of teams are keeping an eye on the Kraken ahead of the deadline. A number of players could be on the move as Seattle tries to stockpile future pieces.
Lots of eyes on Seattle this week. Tanev is expected to move. Gourde, who returned from injury last night, has generated a lot of interest. Clubs like Toronto, Tampa, Vegas, Ottawa, Columbus and others have poked around on one/both. Kraken also have players with term available.
— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) March 5, 2025
Analysis: Pagnotta mentions there are a number of targets teams may be interested that are currently on the Kraken roster. General manager Ron Francis has a number of expiring contracts on the roster and is in a position to acquire future assets. This could be a good chance to get a refresh for the Kraken.
Pagnotta mentions some of the teams looking at Seattle players are the Toronto Maple Leafs, Ottawa Senators, Tampa Bay Lightning, Vegas Golden Knights and Columbus Blue Jackets. However, he said other teams have also poked around when it comes to some of their players. Francis has a chance to really get some good deals and wait for the right trade.
Some good news for Seattle was seeing Yanni Gourde return after injury. The veteran forward is on the trade boards for a number of teams. Gourde is an unrestricted free agent and have a cap hit of nearly $5.2 million per season. He’s a veteran player that has won Stanley Cups and is a desired asset. A player like Gourde could give the a contending a team a massive lift.
What It Means
Besides Gourde, Brandon Tanev could also be a hot commodity at the deadline. We’ve already heard from TSN’s Pierre LeBrun that the Kraken are willing to retain half of Tanev’s $3.5 million cap hit. This could make a move for the veteran forward a lot easier to make.
Seattle also has other players like Jamie Oleksiak and Oliver Bjorkstrand that could be available for the right deal. Pagnotta mentions that players with term left in their contracts are also available to be dealt. This opens up more possible deals for Seattle and other potential suitors.
Bjorkstrand and Oleksiak could be solid additions to any contending roster. Both players have cap hits north of $4.6 million with Bjorkstrand’s coming in at a $5.4 million. The possibility of salary retention could also make any potential trades easier to facilitate.
There are a number of young players on the Seattle roster and in the system at AHL’s Coachella Valley. This roster clearout could give those young players a chance to shine and allow Francis to reset in time for the coming off-season.
Main photo by: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
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