Kraken Not Going to 'Cut Corners' Reloading
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Seattle Kraken right wing Jani Nyman prepares for a drill during a training camp practice session. [/caption]
Following an active NFL trade deadline as sellers, Seattle Kraken general manager Ron Francis made it clear after a series of deals that sent key players elsewhere: those moves were about accelerating the team’s growth, not saving money.
Speaking on The Ian Furness Show on KJR 93.3, Francis spoke with excitement about Seattle’s newly-acquired draft capital and how it can create a brighter future for the franchise.
"When you look at where we are for the next three years, we have five first round picks and five second round picks. That's a lot of draft capital," Francis said.
By making the trades of Yanni Gourde, Oliver Bjorkstrand, and Brandon Tanev, the Kraken have created flexibility both in terms of salary cap space and future draft assets. Seattle now has significant room to maneuver in free agency and with potential trades, along with a wealth of draft picks that can be used to build a stronger foundation or packaged in deals for impact players.
Francis said they are looking to "spend that" $20 million in cap space they saved ahead of next season. Francis also hinted at some big moves this offseason involving some of those acquired picks from the deadline. 10 draft picks in the first two rounds of the next three drafts is almost too many, and they will need to use some in possible trade packages pursuing proven talent to get the team back to the playoffs and competing for Stanley Cups.
"We are not doing these moves to save money or cut corners,” Francis stated.
The Kraken general manager also admitted that times might be tough for Seattle to finish out this season with several noteworthy veterans now playing for postseason berths on different teams.
"We've made it harder in the next six weeks... that's all part of it." Francis said, citing an opportunity for young guys to get more of a shot.
Francis specifically called out Jani Nyman (20 years old), Ryan Winterton (21), Jacob Melanson (21) as players that may get chances to prove themselves at the NHL level down the stretch for the rest of this season given the newfound openings atop the depth chart. That will slide everyone up a few pegs.
However, Francis also mentioned he doesn't want to mess up the playoff run for Coachella Valley either. He likes what they are building there and a winning culture is important to build, even at the AHL level.
Francis once again emphasized these moves were not to save money. He wants the Kraken to get better, faster, and thinks all of the moves made earlier this month can accelerate rebuild efforts.
With the draft capital, the Kraken have the ammo to swing trades. With the cap savings, the Kraken want to spend in free agency. Francis mentions he has the support of ownership, who have not prevented him from spending money to better the roster in the past.
It does not appear like the Kraken intend on entering a years-long, full-scale rebuild. Given the resources Francis now has in draft picks and cap space, along with support from ownership, with an emerging young core, this upcoming offseason will be a very important one. If the right moves are made, the Kraken could field an even better team in 2025-2026 that could compete for the playoffs quicker than anticipated.
