Dan Bylsma is the new head coach of the Seattle Kraken. To me, this seems like a fine hire; I'm not entirely sold on Bylsma as a coach, but I preferred him to the other candidates connected to the Kraken (McLellan, Evason, etc.). Bylsma did really good work with the Firebirds and developing the first wave of Seattle's prospects, many of whom will soon be making the jump to the NHL. It is critical that these players are developed properly and make an impact, so Bylsma's familiarity and success with these players definitely gave him a leg up. His developmental record with the Firebirds was why I favored him for Seattle's vacancy over other options, more so than anything he did with the Penguins or Sabres.
With their head coach in place, the Kraken's first order of business will be to get new contracts hammered out for Beniers and Tolvanen. Once those are sorted, the next task will be to find ways to bolster their goalscoring unit, which regressed hard. There are several options available via free agency or trade; I've explored one option below, trading for Martin Nečas, a guy drafted by Ron Francis whose age fits quite well with Seattle's emerging core. I don't know if a deal would work out for both sides; Carolina probably wants some NHL level talent back, and I imagine the Kraken want to keep their quietly very good defensive unit intact, as well as Beniers/Wright as the future center duo, their current leading scorer in McCann to support them, and Daccord in net. The trade proposal below is more of an attempt to ascertain the right valuation, with adjustments to the pieces involved as needed.
As for the rest of the roster, I think Wright and Evans will be full time NHLers from the get-go next season, and young players like Winterton, Morrison, Nyman, and others will get cameos throughout the year.
As always, let me know your thoughts! Cheers and Go Kraken!
Modeled after the Kevin Fiala trade from Minnesota to Los Angeles; in this deal, Carolina gets a promising center prospect who's outperformed his draft status and a first round pick that could be used or used as a trade asset to further improve their current roster.
Is there a chance Gourde could be moved? What would his value be with 50% retention?
I think it's a possibility, though a deal like that would likely be more of a deadline trade if Seattle's out of the playoffs again as opposed to an offseason one. I imagine the Kraken would like to have Gourde on the team at least to start the season, to see if he can bounce back and to take some of the tougher defensive matchups so Wright doesn't have to right out of the gate.
As for his value in such a trade, that would depend at least in part on how he performs to start 2024-25. Right now I'd put it in a similar range to Wennberg's when he was dealt to the Rangers, a 2nd rounder plus a 3rd or 4th rounder.
I don't hate it, but from their public statements, the Canes would prefer something more close to helping this year.
With Beniers / Wright being obviously off limits, they'd probably ask (in order) for McCann, Bjorkstrand, or Tolvanen, and adjust picks/prospects on either side appropriately.
I don't hate it, but from their public statements, the Canes would prefer something more close to helping this year.
With Beniers / Wright being obviously off limits, they'd probably ask (in order) for McCann, Bjorkstrand, or Tolvanen, and adjust picks/prospects on either side appropriately.
I've barely followed the Kraken's prospect but how far away is Goyette from the show? Cause like if it's a year I can see the Canes might be willing to take that deal and basically punt on this year.
I've barely followed the Kraken's prospect but how far away is Goyette from the show? Cause like if it's a year I can see the Canes might be willing to take that deal and basically punt on this year.
Goyette is closer to 2 years out. Likely needs to spend at least 1 year in the AHL before transitioning to the NHL, but he has the skill set to make it in the NHL, just needs a bit more time.
I don’t mind the trade but I’m not sure the canes want to move Necas for a guy who might be ready to chip in meaningfully in 2-3 years. Maybe they do that if they think they can make another deal or UFA signing.
Also wouldn’t mind taking a stab at Borgen depending on what happens with pesce and chatty.
Picking an older Armchair GM to reach out to message you @KrakenTheCode!
Hope you're well, always enjoy your input on CF with your considered feedback and level-headed takes.
With CF going away soon 😔 I wanted to invite you to the Sound of Hockey Discord where there's a good level of discussion on the Kraken along with some fun chat, and currently pretty much an absence of a-holes, which is always nice for an online community!
Be good to see you over there, link is https://discord.gg/VUhHz993 oh and my handle is BazAvJoes there.
I'll prob have a little play about before this goes dark, so no doubt see you on a few more threads!
cooliny a aimé ceci.
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