Good news! The seattle kraken have just improved their roster with another essential player.

Good news! The Seattle Kraken have just improved their roster with another essential player.

Welcome to the 2022 summer series of Last Word on Hockey, where we will examine each NHL team’s top and worst free agent acquisitions during the salary cap, post-lockout era. After some major splashes (and possible gambles) this past offseason with players like Johnny Gaudreau, Claude Giroux, John Klingberg, and others, it’s time to examine how teams have recently advanced and regressed. We examine the Seattle Kraken’s history of signing free agents today.

An early window to negotiate with pending unrestricted free agents was granted to the Kraken. The catch was that every signed deal would be treated as an expansion draft pick. Francis seized the opportunity to sign Larsson to an AAV contract worth $4 million over four years. For two years, there is a complete no-trade clause; after that, the clause reduces to ten team-only years.

The Kraken’s first season wasn’t easy. Injuries, subpar play, and a deadline-day shake-up that included captain Mark Giordano’s departure for the Toronto Maple Leafs marred the season. An entirely more ordinary opening campaign for an expansion team than the Vegas Golden Knights managed to achieve. Despite the fact that a few names were changed, Larsson is expected to be an important member of the Kraken going forward.

The Swede’s physicality and old-school style of play regularly gave top forwards a tough night. With a career-high 25 points, he was able to assist the offense as well.

In Edmonton, Larsson never managed to become the team’s best defenseman. He’s settled into this role in Seattle, for whatever reason. With Giordano out of the picture and Larsson committed for the next three years, he might become captain. At 29 years old and with a fair contract, Larsson is by far the best free agent signing made by the Seattle Kraken thus far.

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Special Recognition: Jaden Schwartz
Jaden Schwartz signed with the Kraken after playing his whole career with the St. Louis Blues. He signed a deal worth $5.5 million AAV for five years. There is a complete no-movement clause for the first three years, and in the last two, there is a modified no-trade clause.

Schwartz, a Stanley Cup winner, has contributed to Seattle’s team success by bringing experience, a winning history, and elite talent. He has produced exactly what was expected for his new side. In 37 games, he managed a respectable 23 points.

Schwartz was obviously a gifted individual when he was well. But 37 out of 82 possible appearances is worrying, particularly for a 30-year-old winger. In the event that he keeps struggling to stay healthy, it might be difficult to move his large contract. Schwartz provides the Kraken outstanding skill and offensive when he is in the lineup.