Pacific Primer: The Seattle Kraken make a big splash in free agency in hopes of returning to the playoffs

It’s time to preview the Pacific Division with Pacific Primer. As usual, the Flames will be playing these teams four times in 2024–25 (with the exception of the Oilers who they’ll only play three times). In Pacific Primer, we are going to take a look at the moves made by each team this offseason. Then, we’ll take a look at how they stack up against the Flames.

This Pacific Primer will be focused on the Seattle Kraken. The Kraken made a couple of big additions in free agency. They also named Dan Bylsma head coach. They’re the first team with a female assistant head coach, bringing Jessica Campbell onto the bench. The Kraken just re-signed Adam Larsson to a four-year, 5.25M AAV deal, as well. After going to the playoffs and beating the Avalanche in 2022-23, followed by a rough 2023-24 season, the expectations should be to be a playoff team in 2024-25.

Offseason moves:

Trades

• Traded LD Brian Dumoulin to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for a 2025 4th round draft pick.

RFAs

• Re-signed LW/RW Eeli Tolvanen to a 2-year, 3.48M AAV deal.
• Re-signed C Matty Beniers to a 7-year, 7.14M AAV deal.

UFAs

• Signed C/LW Chandler Stephenson to a 7-year, 6.25M AAV deal.
• Signed RD Brandon Montour to a 7-year, 7.14M AAV deal.
• Signed LD/RD Josh Mahura to a 1-year, 775K AAV deal.

Mock Lineup

The Kraken are very deep at forward, in fact, I think it’s one of the deepest forward groups in the league. But, they lack star power. They have a plethora of guys who are second/third line players, but no one that is your surefire answer. They paid a premium for Chandler Stephenson, but he’ll be able to take tough matchups and give Matty Beniers and Shane Wright weaker matchups. The Kraken group is similar to the Flames, who have a decent forward core, but no surefire stars. Because the Kraken have a deeper forward core, I’m going to give this to them. 

On defence, I give the Kraken the edge by a fair margin. Like their forwards, they are deep, but lack the true high-end talent. Although Vince Dunn is a very solid guy to build a defence around. Adding Montour to the defensive ranks gives the Kraken two good offensive weapons for the powerplay. The Kraken have a good mix of offensive and defensive guys. Will Borgen is an extremely underrated asset to feature on your third pair. 

The highest concerns for the Kraken arrive in goal. Grubauer hasn’t found his game since arriving with Seattle. Joey Daccord was solid last season, but that could be a flash in the pan. I’m actually going to give this to the Flames, but it’s extremely tight.