{"id":131930,"date":"2022-09-07T09:00:30","date_gmt":"2022-09-07T13:00:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=131930"},"modified":"2022-09-03T15:12:11","modified_gmt":"2022-09-03T19:12:11","slug":"seattle-kraken-best-and-worst-free-agent-signings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2022\/09\/07\/seattle-kraken-best-and-worst-free-agent-signings\/","title":{"rendered":"Seattle Kraken Best and Worst Free Agent Signings"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Welcome to Last Word on Hockey\u2019s 2022 summer series, exploring the best and worst free agent signings for each NHL team of the post-lockout, salary cap era. With this past offseason seeing some big splashes (and potential gambles) like\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/g\/gaudrjo01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Johnny Gaudreau<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/g\/giroucl01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Claude Giroux<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/k\/klingjo01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">John Klingberg<\/a>, and others, it\u2019s time to take a look at how teams have boosted and stunted their progress in recent history. Today, we take a look at the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/category\/seattle-kraken\/\" target=\"_self\">Seattle Kraken<\/a>\u2019s free agent signings history.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"p3\"><span class=\"s2\">Seattle Kraken Free Agent Hits and Misses<\/span><\/h2>\n<h3 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Best Signing: Adam Larsson<\/span><\/h3>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">\ud83d\udea8SIGNING ALERT\ud83d\udea8: <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/SeaKraken?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#SeaKraken<\/a> sign defenceman Adam Larsson to a four-year, $16 million contract&#8230;<\/p>\n<p>Follow every deal in our Signing Tracker &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/9G8sMTmZZA\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/t.co\/9G8sMTmZZA<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/TSNHockey?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#TSNHockey<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/FoBIIt8ZrH\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/FoBIIt8ZrH<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 TSN Hockey (@TSNHockey) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/TSNHockey\/status\/1417836945867214853?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">July 21, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Former\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/category\/oilers\/\" target=\"_self\">Edmonton Oilers<\/a> defenceman Adam Larsson was general manager Ron Francis\u2019 biggest coup of the Expansion Draft. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">The Kraken were given an early window to negotiate with pending unrestricted free agents. The catch was any contract signed would count as a pick in the Expansion Draft. Francis took advantage to sign Larsson to a four-year, $4 million AAV deal. It carries a full no-trade clause for the first two years, decreasing to 10 team-only for the remainder of the contract.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">It was a rocky inaugural season for the Kraken. The season saw injuries, poor results and a deadline day clear-out, including captain Mark Giordano <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2022\/03\/20\/report-seattle-kraken-trade-mark-giordano-to-toronto-maple-leafs\/\" target=\"_self\">leaving<\/a> for the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/category\/leafs\/\" target=\"_self\">Toronto Maple Leafs<\/a>. A much more typical inaugural season for an expansion franchise than what the Vegas Golden Knights accomplished. While several names were moved, Larsson has been pegged as being a key player for the Kraken moving forward.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">The Swede consistently gave top forwards a tough night with his old-school type play and physicality. He also managed to contribute to the offence, putting up a career-high 25 points. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Larsson was never able to establish himself as the number one defenceman in Edmonton. For whatever reason, he has taken on this role in Seattle comfortably. With Giordano gone and Larsson locked in for the remaining three years, it is possible he could ascend to captain status. Considering the fair price of his contract and age (29), Larsson is easily the best of the Seattle Kraken free agent signings so far.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a id=\"yK2cYoGJRNtbXq58u-xnwg\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/1353154544\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'yK2cYoGJRNtbXq58u-xnwg',sig:'-jgKqFiEBd0YAwGLr03L9VQ1nkHQ4K24z6WrGd_oP98=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1353154544',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Honourable Mention: Jaden Schwartz<\/span><\/h3>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">After spending his entire career with the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/category\/blues\/\" target=\"_self\">St Louis Blues<\/a>, Jaden Schwartz signed with the Kraken. He inked a five-year contract with a $5.5 million AAV. The first three years include a full no-movement clause, switching to a modified no-trade clause in the final two.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">A Stanley Cup winner, Schwartz has helped bring experience, a winning pedigree and top-six talent to Seattle. His production for his new side has been as expected. He scored a respectable 23 points in 37 games played. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Clearly, Schwartz was a bright spark when he was healthy. However, 37 appearances out of a possible 82 is concerning, especially for a winger aged 30. His hefty contract could be hard to move in the future if he continues to struggle to stay healthy. When he is in the lineup Schwartz provides the Kraken with excellent skill and offence.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Worst Signing: Philipp Grubauer <\/span><\/h3>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Seattle makes it official. Goalie Philipp Grubauer signs with the Kraken for six years, $5.9 million AAV.<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Dan Rosen (@drosennhl) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/drosennhl\/status\/1420448845020995588?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">July 28, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Having already snapped up Chris Driedger, the Kraken made a big splash in free agency for another goaltender.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">A Stanley Cup winner with the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/category\/capitals\/\" target=\"_self\">Washington Capitals<\/a> in 2018, Philipp Grubauer had proven to be a solid NHL starter with the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/category\/avalanche\/\" target=\"_self\">Colorado Avalanche<\/a>. At the end of his deal in 2021, he opted to test free agency and signed with Seattle.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">The deal confused many at the time. The German had recently performed very well and was a recent Vezina Trophy finalist. However, his career stats did not match the contract awarded. The team had given Grubauer a huge six-year deal, carrying a $5.9 million AAV and a full no-trade clause, which is modified in the last three years.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Unsurprisingly, the 30-year-old has not lived up to the standard of play his contract required. However, few predicted how poorly he would play. He posted a horrible GAA of 3.16, his career-worst since his rookie 2012-13 season and his save percentage was 0.889, a career low. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">With Seattle having committed so much cash and term to Grubauer, it is unlikely he will stop being the number one goaltender for the foreseeable. Therefore, the fans and club will be praying his first year was just a blip, as currently, Grubauer is a major weakness on elite goaltender money. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><a id=\"XqrX7AmFTPduaVBKkt3ZWw\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/1348343447\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'XqrX7AmFTPduaVBKkt3ZWw',sig:'2tJf8Rji-um5X8FGs3CdlUsu0wvMgyCGFehzpOQEu24=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1348343447',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Honourable Mention: Alexander Wennberg<\/span><\/h3>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">After being bought out from his <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/category\/bluejackets\/\" target=\"_self\">Columbus Blue Jackets<\/a> contract in October 2020, the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/category\/panthers\/\" target=\"_self\">Florida Panthers<\/a> snapped up <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/w\/wennbal01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Alexander Wennberg<\/a> the following day and gave him a $2.25 million, one-year prove-it deal.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Wennberg\u2019s play improved, with the Swede putting up 29 points in 56 games. He did not stick around in Sunrise<\/span><span class=\"s1\"> however and opted to head to the Pacific Northwest, with the Kraken handing him a three-year deal. The contract carries a $4.5 million AAV and a 10-team no-trade clause.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Unfortunately, although his AAV doubled, Wennberg has seen a slight drop in production. Whilst he has provided his teammates with 26 assists, 11 goals in 80 games will not have been what Francis was hoping for when he signed the 27-year-old.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Of course, it has only been one season and the whole club is still finding its groove. However, if Seattle tries to move him at any time, his current cap hit could be off-putting for his production. Additionally, if a team is found that a no-trade clause could hinder proceedings.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Welcome to Last Word on Hockey\u2019s 2022 summer series, exploring the best and worst free agent signings for each NHL team of the post-lockout, salary cap era. With this past offseason seeing some big splashes (and potential gambles) like\u00a0Johnny Gaudreau,\u00a0Claude Giroux,\u00a0John Klingberg, and others, it\u2019s time to take a look at how teams have boosted [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4182,"featured_media":131938,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[5369,4547,4548],"tags":[195,774,613,662,765,7024],"class_list":["post-131930","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-seattle-kraken","category-hockey","category-nhl","tag-adam-larsson","tag-alexander-wennberg","tag-jaden-schwartz","tag-nhl-free-agency","tag-philipp-grabauer","tag-seattle-kraken-analysis"],"modified_by":"Connor Lapalme","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/131930","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4182"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=131930"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/131930\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/131938"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=131930"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=131930"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=131930"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}