Oliver Bjorkstrand is involved in a trade. The firework show continues for the Columbus Blue Jackets. The team set the hockey world on fire when they managed to sign Johnny Gaudreau. The team has inked Patrick Laine to a four-year deal and has really solidified their forward group. Of course, this all comes at a price and that price is Oliver Bjorkstand. The Seattle Kraken trade for the winger, giving Columbus a 2023 third-round pick (via Calgary) and a fourth-round pick (via Winnipeg).
TRADE: The #SeaKraken have acquired Oliver Bjorkstrand from Columbus in exchange for a 2023 third round pick (via Calgary) and a 2023 fourth round pick (via Winnipeg).
Read more → https://t.co/hDAYSHZq8R pic.twitter.com/Kfiye2q4x2
— Seattle Kraken (@SeattleKraken) July 22, 2022
Seattle Kraken Trade for Oliver Bjorkstrand
This deal was all because of the cap space with the Blue Jackets. But this move should focus on the Seattle Kraken. General manager Ron Francis has continued to make moves to improve the club. It did not cost a ton and now the Kraken have begun building a solid little core.
The Player
Oliver Bjorkstrand has spent his entire career with the Blue Jackets. Oliver Bjorkstrand has been traded. He has gotten better with each passing season. In 56 games last season he tallied 44 points which was a career-high. This season he took off. In 82 games, he set a career-high in goals with 28 while also having 29 assists. He set a career-high in points with 57. He is a pending UFA in 2026-27 and carries a cap hit of $5.4 million per season.
Blue Jackets trade Oliver Bjorkstrand to Kraken for picks. https://t.co/hkrg4mY9dW pic.twitter.com/dQbaNbCRk8
— theScore (@theScore) July 22, 2022
How This Impacts The Kraken
This is a huge deal for the Kraken. They get to add another goal scorer to the group. The team has done well with drafting as they have two young centers for the long haul in Matthew Beniers and Shane Wright. The team also boasts a core that consists of Yanni Gourde, Jordan Eberle, Jaden Schwartz, and newly signed this offseason Andre Burakovsky.
Things are looking better for the Kraken. If they can improve defensively and get better goaltending, the Kraken should be competitive in an open Pacific Division.
