The Seattle Kraken have signed one of the tallest active NHL players in the league. Curtis Douglas signs a two-year contract, worth $1.25 million per season. Douglas was brought in at the trade deadline last season as a waiver claim by the Vancouver Canucks. Last season, he scored a goal and three assists for four points in 43 games, spread between the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Canucks.
WELCOME ABOARD! 🦑
The #SeaKraken have agreed to terms with forward Curtis Douglas on a 2-year deal. pic.twitter.com/vJlbMiSqCj
— Seattle Kraken (@SeattleKraken) July 1, 2026
Curtis Douglas Signs With Seattle, Adds One of NHL’s Tallest Players
Douglas, in just over a month’s worth of playing with Vancouver, was well-liked. Zeev Buium, one of the Canucks’ most valuable prospects, said his protection allowed him to play more freely, knowing a teammate would stick up for him if need be.
Standing at 6-foot-9, he can be an intimidating player to play against. Douglas is a good depth option, as he can slot in as a centre or a winger in the bottom six and add some size and grit to the lineup. With ten fights and 108 penalty minutes last season, he would be playing more of an enforcer role than anything else. The reason Vancouver did not retain him was that he was not an everyday NHLer.
(Credit Image: © Luis Santana/Tampa Bay Times via ZUMA Press Wire)
What It Means
With players like Michael McCarron off the list of potential free agents, it would make sense that the Kraken pivoted to Douglas. The team can always use some size in their lineup to make them tougher to play against, as well as to protect their younger players. Players like Douglas do tend to garner some interest in free agency, so good on them for getting it done.
The 26-year-old was previously signed to a two-year deal by the Lightning worth $775,000 per season. With his new contract, that would mark a small raise for his services.
Main photo by: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
