Analysis: Why Kraken Had to Trade Andre Burakovsky in Deal with Blackhawks
When did Jerry Dipoto become the general manager of the Seattle Kraken?
Just a couple days after Seattle swung a deal with the Stars to acquire Mason Marchment, the Kraken were working the trade market again on Saturday with a deal that shipped Andre Burakovsky to the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for Joe Veleno.
Simply put, this was a deal the Kraken had to make, for a variety of reasons. Let’s get into them.
Reason 1: Roster Fit
The Kraken wouldn’t be considered “loaded” anywhere outside of maybe their defenseman group, but they do have a lot of mouths to feed at left wing after the deal for Marchment. Jared McCann has been one of - if not the - most productive forwards on the Kraken since their inception, and now Marchment is here to (probably) be a top fix forward for the club. There’s also Jayden Schwartz, so that would have made Burakovsky the fourth-line left winger. Obviously, he would be one of the most talented fourth-liners on any roster, but it doesn’t really make sense from a roster construction standpoint, because…
Reason 2: Financial Fit
This is a salary cap league, as you’re all well aware. Burakovsky is going to make $5.5 million in 2025-26, as well as 2026-27. That’s not a horrific contract and it was justifiable at the time, but it’s not justifiable now, not for someone who isn’t going to play over the three names mentioned above. The Kraken gained around $3.25 million by swapping the contracts of Burakovsky and Veleno, and while that may not seem like a huge number on the surface, every little bit helps and it could be the difference between picking up one of the upper-echelon free agent forwards in this class. This is not a Seattle Mariner situation where you question the lack of spending based on a “frugal” ownership group. This is strategy, and paying $5.5 million for a fourth-line left wing doesn’t make much sense.
Reason 3: Production Issues
When the Kraken signed Burakovsky to his five-year, $27.5 million deal, he was coming off a season where he produced 22 goals and 39 assists while helping the Colorado Avalanche to a Stanley Cup championship. He was widely considered one of the best offensive players in his free agent class, and there was reason to believe he could be a major contributor for Seattle.
He wasn’t. Now, there are several analytical websites - good ones, too - that will note that Burakovsky dealt with bad luck. But the fact of the matter is that the production just flat wasn’t there. He never scored more than 40 points in a season, and while some of that is due to injury issues, you can argue that availability is a skill as well, particularly in a sport as demanding as hockey.
The Kraken couldn’t rely on Burakovsky, and being blunt, it’s probably a good thing they won’t have to now.
Reason 4: Joe Veleno
Oh yeah, the Kraken did get a player back. Veleno is a former first-round pick who has had a modicum of success with the Red Wings and Blackhawks, although he registered just 17 points in his 2024-25 campaign. Right now, he projects to be the fourth-line center, but he’ll have competition there with Berkley Catton.
If we’re being honest, this was a pretty clear salary dump, but hey, maybe Veleno can help over a 12-plus minute basis.
Regardless, the Kraken had to make this move, and without trying to insult Burakovsky, this is a move that makes the team better even without adding a stabilizing player in return.
