It’s been a busy day for the league, and while the Kraken didn’t make a huge splash, there are topics here worth discussing. Below are links to other discussion threads on this sub for each topic.
I’ll probably do another thread like this tomorrow if there’s enough action, otherwise I’ll leave it at this.
# Signed Free Agents
1. 7/1 [Martin Studenic](https://www.reddit.com/r/SeattleKraken/comments/14o2vvc/we_got_our_first_free_agency_signing_marian/) \[DAL\] **(1 YR, 775K AAV, two-way)**
2. 7/1 [Jimmy Schuldt](https://www.reddit.com/r/SeattleKraken/comments/14o3o59/kraken_sign_jimmy_schuldt_oneyear_twoway_contract/) \[CV\] **(1 YR, 775K AAV, two-way)**
3. 7/1 [Brian Dumoulin](https://www.reddit.com/r/SeattleKraken/comments/14o5anl/chris_johnston_brian_dumoulin_is_joining/) \[PIT\] **(2 YR, 3.15M AAV, one-way)**
# Kraken Free Agents
* **Group 2 FAs:** Will Borgen ([Given QO](https://www.reddit.com/r/SeattleKraken/comments/14ncjdu/seattle_kraken_pr_the_seakraken_have_extended/)), Vince Dunn ([Given QO](https://www.reddit.com/r/SeattleKraken/comments/14ncjdu/seattle_kraken_pr_the_seakraken_have_extended/)), Cale Fleury ([Given QO](https://www.reddit.com/r/SeattleKraken/comments/14ncjdu/seattle_kraken_pr_the_seakraken_have_extended/)), Kole Lind ([Given QO](https://www.reddit.com/r/SeattleKraken/comments/14ncjdu/seattle_kraken_pr_the_seakraken_have_extended/)).
* **Group 3 UFAs:** ~~Ryan Donato~~ ([signed: CHI](https://www.reddit.com/r/SeattleKraken/comments/14o2vu3/frank_seravalli_hearing_ryan_donato_is_going_to/)), Joonas Donskoi, Jesper Froden, Christopher Gibson, John Hayden, Martin Jones, Austin Poganski, ~~Brogan Rafferty~~ ([signed: DET](https://www.reddit.com/r/SeattleKraken/comments/14obvpt/nhlcom_red_wings_sign_defenseman_brogan_rafferty/)), ~~Carson Soucy~~ ([signed: VAN](https://www.reddit.com/r/SeattleKraken/comments/14nys1y/emerald_city_hockey_looks_like_carson_soucy_to/)).
* **Group 6 UFAs:** ~~Alexander True~~ ([signed: FLA](https://www.reddit.com/r/SeattleKraken/comments/14o7mmp/the_florida_panthers_have_signed_alex_true_to_a_1/)), Carsen Twarynski.
* **UFAs (not tendered offers):** ~~Morgan Geekie~~ ([signed: BOS](https://www.reddit.com/r/SeattleKraken/comments/14nzv2j/chris_johnston_morgan_geekie_is_joining_the/)), ~~Daniel Sprong~~ ([signed: DET](https://www.reddit.com/r/SeattleKraken/comments/14o21r6/elliotte_friedman_sprong_to_detroit_1_year_2mil/)).
# Other Moves
1. 7/1 [John Hayden Signs New Deal](https://www.reddit.com/r/SeattleKraken/comments/14o3pqo/kraken_sign_john_hayden_to_a_oneyear_twoway/) **(1 YR, 775K AAV, two-way)**
2. 6/30 [Joey Daccord Signs Extension](https://www.reddit.com/r/SeattleKraken/comments/14nfe43/seattle_kraken_big_dac_energy_weve_signed/) **(2 YR, $1.2 million AAV, one-way)**
3. 6/27 [Gustav Olofsson Signs New Deal](https://www.reddit.com/r/SeattleKraken/comments/14ks0f3/kraken_goose_is_back_weve_resigned_defenseman/) **(2 YR, 775K AAV, two-way)**
# Rumors and Discussions
1. [Kraken are still in on Erik Karlsson](https://www.reddit.com/r/SeattleKraken/comments/14nzk8j/lebrun_as_i_just_said_on_tsn_sharks_continue_to/) (though I’ll note on the radio they are saying we’re less serious than some other suitors)
2. [Kraken likely to deal with own players first before looking at free agent market](https://www.reddit.com/r/SeattleKraken/comments/14n98z4/kraken_likely_to_deal_with_own_players_first/)
3. [Kraken set development camp roster for 2023](https://www.reddit.com/r/SeattleKraken/comments/14nlmxk/2023_development_camp_roster/)
4. [GM Ron Francis talks about first day of free agency, including other topics like an appeal for Shane Wright](https://www.reddit.com/r/SeattleKraken/comments/14o6wqu/scott_malone_in_the_event_anyone_sees_this/)
5. [The Hockey Guy thinks we are looking to improve from within](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GWYVktHPpE)
6. [Froden to play overseas](https://www.reddit.com/r/SeattleKraken/comments/14i3fhv/froden_to_play_overseas/) (unconfirmed by league)
7. [Donskoi likely done in Seattle](https://www.reddit.com/r/SeattleKraken/comments/14japwb/not_unexpected_but_it_looks_like_the_donskois_are/) (unconfirmed by league)
​
Impressions: So far I like what we’re doing. A lot of us want to see some combination of Kartye, Evans, Lind, Wright, and others get a chance to play with the big club.
Given a lot of teams’ 4th lines are made up of former AHL guys that can bounce around at times, I think this puts us in a normalized spot. Our 4th line played as good as some teams 3rd lines or even 2nd lines at times. They were going to get paid.
We were never going to make a splash today. Most folks know that GMRF loves to build through the draft, and it looks like we’re going to be seeing that sooner rather than later.
I think Dumoulin looks like a nice upgrade for Soucy’s spot, though. And as somebody that wanted to see an upgrade on the blue line, I like the signing.
Most of the other moves were directed at Coachella Valley. Though it is noteworthy that Daccord’s contract extension is reportedly one-way.
Looking at the list of remaining Free Agents from our team, I’d expect none of them to resign with Seattle. Froden and Donskoi are both unconfirmed to be leaving, but both would be unsurprising and likely are true.
by PandarenNinja
4 Comments
Thank you for this…
So contract question: I understand the difference in the two types, why would the one-way be significant? Is that implying only playing NHL or AHL and not moving?
Good stuff.
I agree I don’t think we will sign anyone else from our remaining UFAs, Poganski and Twarinski were both 4th line guys in Coachella and are also going to demand veteran spots(only 6 veterans can dress on game day) to play there again, those 4th line spots should go to youngsters coming up.
Jones and Gibson are already replaced with Daccord and Stezka though I can see us maybe signing one more goalie if Driedger is on the block.
Would love to see us sign another bottom 6 center that is decent at faceoffs type player for depth after we lost Donato, Geekie and True. Maybe Petman will fill that role?
Could also use one more RD in Coachella, preferably one that can play the PP. Our only depth RDs are Fleury and Otavainen
Our lineup as of now would be something like the following
LW | C | RW
—|—|—-
McCann | Beniers | Eberle
Schwartz | Wennberg | Burakovsky
Tolvanen | Gourde | Bjorkstrand
Kartye | Wright | Tanev
– | Hayden | Lind (RFA)
LD | RD | Goal
—|—|—-
Dunn (RFA) | Larson | Grubauer
Oleksiak | Borgen (RFA) | Daccord
Dumoulin | Schultz | Driedger (AHL)
Megna | – | Stezka (AHL)
IMO the Kraken likely need to add 1 more NHL player either via trade or free agency if Wright is able to go to the AHL with an exception. If Wright is going to stay in Seattle, they are pretty much set. Lind IMO showed enough with CV to earn a shot at making the team and I assume Hayden can be one of the 2 spare forwards based on his callup last season.
[After playing around in CapFriendly for a few minutes](https://www.capfriendly.com/browse/free-agents/2024/points/all/forwards?signing-status=ufa&stats-season=2023&display=skater-on-ice-advanced-stats&hide=clauses,handed,expiry-status,goalie-stats), here’s some guys who might fit in that final spot based on good xGF%s
Position | Name | Age | g+a=p | Last AAV | expected goals for %
—|—|—-|—-|—-|—-
C/LW | [Paul Stastny](https://cdn.theathletic.com/app/uploads/2023/01/03122302/Screenshot-2023-04-03-at-11.17.12-AM.png) | 37 | 9+13=22 | $1.5M | 66.8%
C/LW | Derick Brassard | 35 | 13+13=26 | $0.75M | 57.5%
RW | [Alex Chiasson](https://cdn.theathletic.com/app/uploads/2023/01/03121420/Screenshot-2023-04-03-at-10.42.14-AM.png) | 32 | 6+3=9 (20 GP) | $0.75M | 69%
LW/RW | [Danton Heinen](https://cdn.theathletic.com/app/uploads/2023/01/03122442/Screenshot-2023-04-03-at-11.45.48-AM.png) | 27 | 8+14=22 | $1M | 55.7%
Chiasson and Heinen jump out at me in particular here since they are younger. Chiasson only played 20 games after signing with Detroit in March after going without a contract to start the season but he produced nearly a half point per game in that small sample size.
>I think Dumoulin looks like a nice upgrade for Soucy’s spot, though. And as somebody that wanted to see an upgrade on the blue line, I like the signing.
After reading some [Pens fans’ comments](https://www.reddit.com/r/hockey/comments/14o5w74/seattle_kraken_sign_brian_dumoulin_on_a_twoyear/) in /r/hockey, they think he’s fallen off recently due to injury. Maybe a change of scenery helps but I would not immediately assume he’s an upgrade vs Soucy. There’s a reason he signed for $100k cheaper and 2 years vs Soucy’s 3 + full NMC with Vancouver.
If he’s a lateral move I’ll be content. Francis said during a press conference that he wanted the shorter term to give Ryker Evans a path to the NHL. https://youtu.be/wNdk_l3BZh0?t=160