Analysis: Breaking Down Where Newly Acquired Bobby McMann Fits with Kraken
Buzzer beaters are certainly more common in basketball than hockey. However, for Seattle Kraken general manager Jason Botterill, he sank one before the proverbial buzzer of the NHL trade deadline, which was at 12 PM PT on Friday.
The shot that sank through the net came after a very quiet deadline day on the trade front in Seattle otherwise, though news broke that the franchise had extended captain Jordan Eberle on Friday morning.
Pulling the trigger shortly before the deadline came and went, Botterill and company swung a deal for Bobby McMann of the Toronto Maple Leafs, who was acquired by Seattle for a 2027 second-rounder and 2026 fourth-round draft pick. They acquired him without parting with any of their three picks in the top 46 of the 2026 NHL Draft.
Kraken Choosing to Sit Idle at NHL Trade Deadline Would Be Massive Blunder
The Seattle Kraken are clinging to a playoff spot. At 29-23-9 (67 points), Seattle owns the last Wild Card spot in the Western Conference. The San Jose Sharks sit at 64 points as their closest competitor behind them in the Wild Card.
The Pacific Division is also not a foregone conclusion. Seattle is just one point behind the third place Edmonton Oilers for that final playoff spot among division leaders.
Seattle’s playoff odds currently sit at 62.7%. Needless to say, the Kraken are smack in contention. There is no reason to think this team can compete for a playoff spot down the stretch. They need to make the necessary moves to get it done.
Analysis: 3 Trade Scenarios for Seattle Kraken Involving Shane Wright
In a playoff spot as of the Olympic break, the Seattle Kraken sit third in the Pacific Division with a record that keeps them competitive in the Western Conference Wild Card race as well. However, their offense ranks towards the bottom in most offensive statistics and to make a real push to be a playoff contender, they need some serious scoring juice.
Trading Shane Wright, the 2022 fourth-overall pick now 22 years old, could be a strategic move to address immediate needs and accelerate the team's contention window with an instant upgrade, though making such a deal with a talented young player carries significant risk.
With the NHL trade deadline looming on March 6, let’s explore three possible trade scenarios that involve Seattle packaging Wright for an upgrade.
Kraken the Ice: Would Trading Shane Wright Be Right Deadline Move for Seattle?
Closing in on their return to action as the Winter Olympic break nears a conclusion, the Kraken could have a massive decision on their hands regarding the future of Shane Wright.
Emerald City Spectrum writer Nick Lee breaks down why Seattle may have interest in moving Wright for the right price, shares his thoughts on what that right price would have to look like in terms of compensation to finalize a deal before the deadline, and recaps the latest exploits by Kraken players on the Olympic ice in Milan.
Kraken Cannot Afford to Squander City’s Momentum Out of Olympics Break
Seattle has some serious momentum right now. Not just the football team, that recently won its second ever Super Bowl title, but the entire city. It’s alive. It’s oozing with team spirit. Just flip on highlights of the parade. Or the Mariners’ playoff run last October. It’s hard to find a better time in history to be a Seattle sports fan. Heck, there is even more chatter about (gasp), the Sonics finally returning.
My question to the Kraken is: are you complacent in being spectators with this momentum? Or are you willing to do what it takes to take advantage of that momentum and turn it into tangible success for the city’s NHL team?
Kraken the Ice: Who Should Seattle Target at Looming NHL Trade Deadline?
In the midst of a winter break for the 2026 Olympics, the Kraken may be doing extensive work behind the scenes trying to find upgrades to aid their playoff push once they return to action later this month.
Emerald City Spectrum writer Nick Lee shares his thoughts on several players who could make sense for Seattle to target before the upcoming deadline, including a former No. 1 overall pick to add star power to the roster for the second half, and recaps how several Kraken players have fared so far in Olympic competition.
What To Hope For From the Kraken After the Trade Deadline
The moves the Seattle Kraken made at the NHL trade deadline are just the beginning to the franchise’s new trajectory.
NHL Trade Deadline: Kraken Likely Sellers With Playoff Hopes Dwindling
Falling further out of the playoff race, the Kraken need to begin shifting their focus towards the future, which means shopping several veterans before the trade deadline to acquire draft assets and younger players under club control.
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