Seattle Kraken Signs Defenseman Josh Mahura

The Seattle Kraken have reached a deal with former Florida Panthers defenseman Josh Mahura on a one-year contract worth $775,000, the team announced on Wednesday.

Mahura, 26, is a left-handed defenseman who has appeared in 112 games with the Panthers over the last two seasons. In the 2022-23 season, he played all 82 regular season games and 21 playoff games, contributing 16 points on four goals and 12 assists, and adding three assists in the playoffs as the Panthers made it to the Stanley Cup Final. Last season, Mahura played just 30 games in a mostly reserve role and did not see playoff action as the Panthers won the Stanley Cup, recording nine assists in those 30 games.

Mahura's addition provides the Kraken with a veteran option to compete with Ryker Evans for playing time on the third pair. The trade of Brian Dumoulin to the Ducks on Tuesday cleared a path for Evans to join the starting lineup after some time with the Kraken last year and a strong playoff run with AHL Coachella Valley. The inclusion of Mahura ensures competition for that spot.

Interestingly, Mahura reunites with fellow new Kraken defenseman Brandon Montour, having been teammates both on the Panthers over the last two seasons and with the Anaheim Ducks in 2018-19.

Cale Fleury, Gustav Olofsson, and Max Lajoie remain as veteran fill-in options at AHL Coachella Valley, with former draft pick Ville Ottavainen also a possibility should reinforcements be needed.

One-way contracts, such as Mahura's, mean a player earns an NHL salary whether they are with the NHL team or playing in the AHL. Alongside Mahura, center Ben Meyers and forward John Hayden also signed one-way deals with Seattle this week, indicating a strong chance they will be part of the NHL roster next season.

With this signing, the Kraken now have $10,733,809 in free cap space, according to PuckPedia.

Josh Mahura is known for his time with the Anaheim Ducks and Florida Panthers, largely as a depth option. He played his first full 82-game season with the Panthers in 2022-23, finishing with 16 points before returning to a reserve role last season. Despite his limited playing time, Mahura was well-liked in Florida and brings championship experience to the Kraken.

Mahura is expected to serve as a backup defender, ready to step in if needed and to motivate younger defenders like Ryker Evans to maintain their spot in the lineup.