With Cap Space to Spare, Kraken Need to Upgrade Offense

The NHL offseason has hit the dog days. Gone are the draft and the initial wave of free agency. The Seattle Kraken made a flurry of moves early, trading for and then extending Mackie Samoskevich and re-signing deadline acquisition Bobby McMann. They added physical forward Curtis Douglas as well, likely to be towards the bottom of the lineup.

What they still lack is a true, proven difference maker. That still can come from their own ranks, like Matty Beniers, Berkly Catton, or Kaapo Kakko. But it feels like the Kraken are going to continue to spin their tires in the mud until either one rises to the occasion or they bring in a mercenary who can get the puck in the net.

According to PuckPedia, the Kraken have the second-most cap space at the moment, with $18.41 million still at their disposal. They also have the least amount of their cap tied up in money toward forwards in the entire NHL. For reference, the reigning Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes rank third in that category. It pays to have forwards who score goals and get paid.

Two veteran free agents remain available for anyone, including the Kraken, to sign.