Kraken Set To Move On From 2 Fan Favorites

Despite their success, the Kraken have remained patient with their long-term plan, prioritizing the growth and development of their young players for sustained success. However, this season may see some trades to create room for emerging talent.

Jaden Schwartz, a highly capable player with a history of underappreciation, made his mark with the St. Louis Blues. Over the years, injuries have taken a toll on his effectiveness, and as he ages, the Kraken are looking to nurture their promising young talent, including Eeli Tolvanen, Shane Wright, Tye Kartye, and others. With a roster filled with middle-lineup veterans, the Kraken may need to part ways with one or two of them, and Schwartz seems a likely candidate. He still has three years left on his $5.5 million AAV contract, but retaining part of his cap hit could be necessary to facilitate a trade while preserving valuable assets.

The Kraken currently have three goaltenders in the mix, including the returning Chris Driedger, who played AHL games last season due to Philipp Grubauer's role as the starter and Martin Jones' solid performance. This season, Driedger faces competition from Joey Daccord for the backup spot. While the outcome remains uncertain, it's apparent that Seattle would prefer to trade Driedger. His $3.5 million AAV cap hit is deemed too high, although the contract expires at the end of the season. Trading him, possibly with additional assets, could be a move to explore for an upgrade in another position come the trade deadline.