Analysis: Should Kraken Re-Sign Jaden Schwartz or Let Him Walk?

On July 21, 2021, the Seattle Kraken held their “expansion draft” to build their first ever team, setting sights on constructing a roster that would allow them to be competitive right away.

But in the present, there are not many “Day 1” Kraken players left from that inaugural team after making just one playoff trip in five seasons. Seattle’s two goalies, Joey Daccord and Philipp Grubauer, remain on the team. Among skaters, Adam Larsson, Jared McCann, Vince Dunn, and captain Jordan Eberle are still with the franchise.

A few of those original members of the team are set to be free agents this offseason in Jamie Oleksiak and Jaden Schwartz.

While Jaden Schwartz was not part of the actual draft, Seattle signed him that summer to a five-year, $27.5 million contract. That deal is now expiring after he totaled 79 goals and 168 points over the life of the contract, ranking fourth and fifth in franchise history respectively.