‘Thrilled to Be Back’: Kraken Re-sign Jacob Melanson to Three-Year Deal
Locking up one of their young players for the foreseeable future, the Seattle Kraken re-signed winger Jacob Melanson to three-year, $4.35 million contract on Friday. The deal carries a $1.45 AAV and the 23-year-old will remain a restricted free agent when it expires.
The 6-1 Melanson played 36 games with the Kraken last season, scoring two goals and five points. He had nine goals and 19 points in 28 games with the Coachella Valley Firebirds, adding a goal and five points in 11 AHL playoff games for the team. That was a big step up from 2024-25, where Melanson tallied eight goals and 13 points in 42 games with Coachella Valley.
Such improvements provided more than enough reason for the Kraken to extend Melanson, a player who they believe could have more room to grow in coming years.
“We’re excited to re-sign Jacob,” general manager Jason Botterill said in the team’s press release. “He brought a lot of physicality and energy to our group last season, and we’re looking forward to seeing more from him these next few years.”
A 2021 fifth-round pick, Melanson is still waivers eligible and will battle in training camp for a bottom-six forward spot in Seattle. Entering training camp, there’s 10 wingers battling for eight spots: Jared McCann, Jordan Eberle, Bobby McMann, Kaapo Kakko, Mackie Samoskevich, Berkly Catton, Curtis Douglas, Ryan Winterton, Ben Myers, and Melanson.
All of those wingers, besides McCann, are also signed through next season, while prospects Jani Nyman and Jagger Firkus continue to knock on the door as part of the team’s future.
“I’m feeling awesome,” Melanson said in the release. “My fiancé [Belle Ashley] and I are over the moon to have the deal done and be back in Seattle for another three years. She loves it here. I love it. It's an amazing fan base.”
Considering the crowded forward group and his waivers eligibility, Melanson probably splits time between the NHL and AHL again this season, with hopes of seeing a bit more ice time with the NHL club. Throughout the three years of his new deal, assuming he continues his upward trajectory from the past two seasons, the young winger should carve out a more defined role in the Kraken forward group.
“Last season was amazing,” Melanson added. “I got to learn the pace of the NHL game. I came into this summer confident that I could play at this level. Getting the contract is a cherry on top. I’m just thrilled to be back.”
