Will the capped-out Kraken need to make a trade soon?

Earlier in the summer, Kraken fans were thrilled when Matty Beniers signed a seven-year deal worth $7.14 million per season. However, this contract pushed the Kraken close to the salary cap limit for the 2024-25 season. Let's break down the numbers.

It's expected that Shane Wright will fill the 12th forward spot, carrying a cap hit of $886,666. That leaves just $780,000 in cap space, only enough to sign a player at the league minimum, such as Josh Mahura or Ben Meyers.

The NHL allows a roster size of 23 players for most of the season. Last year, the Kraken averaged 22 players on their roster before the trade deadline, meaning they rarely played with fewer than 22. Carrying a 21-man roster this season would be risky and uncommon.

Is a Trade Necessary?

Given the Kraken's tight cap situation, a trade seems not only possible but necessary. Ideally, the Kraken would free up around $3 million, which would allow them to add three more players on league-minimum contracts.

The most likely trade candidate is Brandon Tanev, who brings energy to the lineup and excels on the penalty kill but has a cap hit of $3.5 million. Tye Kartye could fill a similar role at a fraction of the cost. Another possible option is Yanni Gourde, who carries a $5.2 million cap hit, though a trade might require the Kraken to retain part of his salary.

Tough decisions lie ahead for the Kraken as they work to stay competitive while managing their salary cap.