With a little over a month left until the start of the upcoming NHL season, it is time to check-in on America’s team: the Seattle Kraken. They’ve made some significant offseason moves since the draft and initial days of free agency.
The Kraken hit FA running, signing cup winners Brandon Montour and Chandler Stephenson both to 7-year deals.
However, retaining key pieces for the Kraken is just as important as adding new ones. And GM Ron Francis has had a busy summer locking down (3) of Seattle’s beloved stars.
2-year Contract for Tolvanen
On July 5th, it was announced by Kraken GM Ron Francis that they were signing RW Eeli Tolvanen to a 2-year contract. Tolvanen, who joined the Kraken before the 2022-23 season, appeared in 81 of 82 regular season games for Seattle this past year. He registered 41 points (16 goals, 25 assists), which ranked 5th for the Kraken.
More importantly, Tolvanen appeared in all 14 games for the Kraken during the 2023 playoff run, registering 8 points (3 goals, 5 assists), which ranked 6th for the Kraken.
Tolvanen, who is only 25 years old, falls in line behind Jordan Eberle and Andre Burakovsky on Seattle’s depth chart. He’s a solid young piece that was important for the Kraken to retain. With Eberle (Age: 34), Burakovsky (Age: 29) and Brandon Tanev (Age: 32) all older than him, Tolvanen can continue to solidify his place as a key part of Seattle’s future this upcoming season.
Beniers Re-signs for 7-year deal
On August 20th, it was announced that the Kraken had re-signed C Matty Beniers to a 7-year deal with an AAV of $7.14M. Beniers was drafted 2nd overall by the Kraken with the franchise’s first ever pick during the 2021 NHL draft. And he’s been a cornerstone piece of the franchise’s short history.
Beniers won the Calder Memorial Trophy (NHL’s Rookie of the Year) for the 2022-23 NHL season, where he recorded 57 points (24 goals and 33 assists). That point total ranked 4th for the Kraken.
Beniers saw his production decrease during the 2023-24 season, recording 37 points (15 goals and 22 assists) over 77 games of action. With this only being his 2nd full season in the league, there is no cause for concern as the Kraken further their investment in their starting center.
Not much went right for the Kraken last year and Beniers production should not be put under a microscope. With the new additions the Kraken made in FA and the change in coaching, let’s see how Beniers does in Ron Bylsma’s system before jumping to any conclusions.
Larsson Signs 4-year Extension
Merely two days ago it was announced that Seattle had agreed to a 4-year contract extension with Right Defenseman Adam Larsson. The extension offers an AAV of $5.25M for Larsson and keeps him in Seattle through the 2028-29 season.
The news of Larsson’s signing was cryptically broken on Monday by fellow starting Defenseman Vince Dunn, via twitter:
A reference to his nickname as “Big Cat”, Dunn knew before many of the contract extension. And similar to most Kraken fans, he couldn’t contain his excitement.
Larsson, who is the Kraken’s starting Right Defenseman, has been with the franchise since their inaugural season in 2021. Furthermore, he played in all 82 regular season games for the Kraken his first year in Seattle and only missed one regular season game last year.
A true workhorse, Larsson is entering his 14th season in the NHL and provides valued veteran leadership to a franchise still in its infancy stage.
