Kraken Check Off Big To-Do List Item, Re-Sign Bobby McMann to Six-Year Deal
While the Seattle Kraken as a team imploded down the stretch last season, it was certainly no fault of Bobby McMann. The Kraken swung a trade with the Toronto Maple Leafs for the veteran’s services ahead of the trade deadline in March, sending a fourth round pick from this upcoming draft and a second rounder from 2027 to Toronto.
From the jump, it seemed like a match made in hockey heaven. McMann did his best impression of Wayne Gretzky in the first three games as a Kraken, totaling four goals and two assists. Even as that torrid pace cooled, he was the best offensive skater Seattle had for that final stretch of the season by a wide margin. Between the time McMann arrived in Seattle to the end of the regular season, McMann’s 10 goals was more than double the next closest Kraken skater, who was Jared McMann with four goals.
McMann’s total was also tied for 10th-highest in the entire NHL in that timeframe. He was one of the hottest goal-scorers in the league for that final 20-game stretch, providing a rare bright spot for a Kraken squad that struggled to score all year long as a team.
McMann finished the regular season with the Kraken, which ended his current contract term. He was set to be an unrestricted free agent on July 1. The front office made it clear in their comments after the move was announced that re-signing Bobby McMann was a top priority this offseason.
Well, check that off the to-do agenda.
After news broke on Sunday, per the team’s website, Kraken general manager Jason Botterill said, “Re-signing Bobby was a priority this summer. He made an immediate impact in our lineup with his size, speed and goal scoring. There’s a lot to love about his game. We’re thrilled he wants to call Seattle home for years to come.”
BOBBY'S STAYING IN SEATTLE! 🙌
The #SeaKraken have agreed to terms with forward Bobby McMann for a 6-year deal. pic.twitter.com/9nQzDRSqif— Seattle Kraken (@SeattleKraken) June 21, 2026
Per NHL Media, McMann signed a six-year, $34.5 million contract with the Kraken on Sunday. It has an average annual value of $5.75 million with hopes the playmaker will be in a Kraken uniform through the 2031-32 season. Seattle hopes McMann is part of the main core of players needed to build the best team in franchise history in coming years.
It sounds like McMann even did his own due diligence before agreeing to hitch himself to Seattle for the next six years. He met with team leaders such as Jordan Eberle, Brandon Montour, and Matty Beniers along with head coach Lane Lambert. He must have felt good enough about the franchise’s direction to sign after those discussions, providing reason for optimism for an organization that hasn’t tasted much success in five seasons of existence.
The Kraken have made the playoffs just once in five seasons. They have just one winning season in that time and only one season finishing with better than 81 points. The hope is McMann sticking around long term can turn the tide to compete in the playoffs far more often and create a winning culture. If the Kraken are to be a good hockey team in the near future, with a new contract in tow, he will have to be at the center of that transformation.
