Kraken 2025-26 Offseason (different but the same??)

[Fistfullofbeer]

I wanted to start this off because there are a few different thoughts on how this could go.

Based on management talk the plan is to be aggressive, use draft capital and make the team "better". A lot of us think, that this season should be one of seeing where the prospects are at and if any of them are ready to step up in a productive manner and be ready for the 2026-27 season.

There are a lot of different ways this can go. The team is not quite strapped for cap space this season but I feel that the 20M dollar's is kind of an illusion. We have to re-sign Kakko and Evans which will eat atleast portion of that. Gru does not instill confidence as a backup goalie and will need to be replaced if the team is serious about competing. The forward group is devoid of high end talent. We have decent forward depth but little to no chemistry between the players. The defensive unit as a whole loses coverage way too much and the defensive zone turnovers are a major issue.

I don't know how we bring Bylsma back. The team very often looks unprepared, lack lustre to start games and unable to handle opponent's pressure if we are up by a goal or so. Special teams has been below average and that is being generous.

My opinion is that this season should be one to continue and "rebuild". Francis can use draft capital to improve the team but only if he moves out some excess baggage first. Also, hopefully the trade targets should be less like vets like Cups who are in their late 20's or early 30s and middle-6 players but younger and higher-end ones. I am ok with the high cost of picks for such players but a trade should only be made if it actually makes sense rather just for the heck of it with the hope that it may improve the team. However, I would rather focus on UFA. I am not opposed to throwing at Marner but like others have said, I think he just goes back to the Leafs. Outside of that, maybe look at Ehlers or Bennett if the term/AAV is good. I like Bennett but giving a player with his style of play anything more than 5-6 years would be a bad idea.

Francis needs to make smart decisions. He can improve the team this season without sacrificing the future. I just wish I had enough faith in him.

 

[RainyCityHockey]

If Marner isn't available both Bennett and Ehlers become more sought after in a year were the salary cap rises.

I wan't absolutley nothing to do with them cause I think they'll be huge overpayments(especially Bennett having won a cup and being a "playoff performer" etc.

BTW: Instead of doing that I'd just talk to Toronto, if Marner re-signs, and ask them about what someone like Knies would cost and if they don't want to talk I'd just offer sheet him.
At least guys with a profile like him would be the players I'd target if I was Francis.

 

[Fistfullofbeer]

If Marner isn't available both Bennett and Ehlers become more sought after in a year were the salary cap rises.

I wan't absolutley nothing to do with them cause I think they'll be huge overpayments(especially Bennett having won a cup and being a "playoff performer" etc.

BTW: Instead of doing that I'd just talk to Toronto, if Marner re-signs, and ask them about what someone like Knies would cost and if they don't want to talk I'd just offer sheet him.
At least guys with a profile like him would be the players I'd target if I was Francis.

Has Francis ever done an offer sheet for someone? They are uncommon as it is and Francis seems far from the type of GM would would go that route.

My concerns with Ehlers and Bennett are the same as yours. Both would be solid additions and arguably be impact players for us BUT they would very likely cost above market value. What it really comes down to with players like them is if they are ok with 5 year contracts. They are both much better than Stephenson but I don't want another 7 year contract for players in their late 20s.

 

[GrungeHockey]

There aren't any high level free agents that excite me. I wouldn't go near the Marner sweepstakes. The price will be outrageous and it's not like he's delivered the cup to the Leafs in all this time has he? There's a lesson in the big 4 salaries there cash strapping the rest of the roster.
Bennet is a solid second line player but belongs on a cup contender not a rebuild.

Maybe the thing to look at this year (with a rising cap) is offer sheets onto cap squeezed teams like St. Louis did to Edmonton. That has worked out well for them. Target some mid level RFAs. Maybe Peterka. Somebody like that.

Don't trade your 2026 picks. It's a deeper draft than this one.

As for the draft. Desnoyers? Top 5 or 6 are pretty good and hard to pick between.

 

[CLW]

It's easy for the FO to say they will use the TDL 1st picks as ammo for new players, but 1. there will be fierce competition and 2. who are they going to send out from this team that will bring back a genuinely good player that fits the team? They already brought in Stephenson that is a mismatch, say what you will. You can even argue Montour is a mismatch since the team already has Dunn. Now both Stephenson and Montour are good players, but they have not really made the team better. Since they are both signed long term that means that other players will have to be moved to balance the team.

I keep saying this but the only players with real trade value are Dunn and McCann, and if you move one of those players they will leave a hole that also needs to be filled.

I'd have no issue with the team moving on from Dunn and McCann but it means there will have to be a lot of moves to balance out the squad, much more so than I think the FO is comfortable with. But they made their bed. At the same time I will resent it if they do next to nothing after blowing the PR gimmick smoke in our face. The worst option is if they do overpay badly for another UFA just to say they did something. That would be a serious nail in the coffin and my respect for the FO as competent people would die a quick death.

 

[Fuhrious]

Someone is going to overpay the ever-loving **** out of Sam Bennett, and I sincerely hope it's not Ron Francis.

 

[icelander25]

Islanders fan coming in peace here, was wondering if Seattle would be interested in a Dobson trade. From what I remember you guys were always looking for a RHD in the draft but it just never worked out that way. You guys also have a lot of center depth with Wright, Beniers, McCann, Stephenson, and possibly Catton coming up next year. You’re gonna have to move one of them out to give Catton a shot and not stick him on the 4th line so here’s my proposition: Dobson + 2025 10th OVR for Wright/Beniers + 2025 5th OVR.
Haven’s paid attention enough to see who’s doing better between Wright and Beniers, but they have similiar point totals but Beniers is locked up. What’re we thinking?

 

[Fistfullofbeer]

Islanders fan coming in peace here, was wondering if Seattle would be interested in a Dobson trade. From what I remember you guys were always looking for a RHD in the draft but it just never worked out that way. You guys also have a lot of center depth with Wright, Beniers, McCann, Stephenson, and possibly Catton coming up next year. You’re gonna have to move one of them out to give Catton a shot and not stick him on the 4th line so here’s my proposition: Dobson + 2025 10th OVR for Wright/Beniers + 2025 5th OVR.
Haven’s paid attention enough to see who’s doing better between Wright and Beniers, but they have similiar point totals but Beniers is locked up. What’re we thinking?

Making a move on Catton's projection would not be in the best interests of our team. I am one of the biggest advocates of Catton but I am not going to assume he is ready to munch minutes in our top-6 right away. Stranger things have happened but the Kraken should not be in any hurry there.

The biggest need the Kraken currently have is a legit top-line forward. I doubt they want to make any drastic changes in D given Dunn, Montour are on each of the top-2 D pairings. No doubt that Dobson would be a big asset but moving Wright/Beniers would create a hole without fixing our main problem.

Regarding your bolded question(s), I would say Wright is on a better curve than Beniers is right now. Beniers is a very very good 2-way C but he needs to improve his offensive production to be more effective in the top-6. Wright is better on the offensive end but not quite as good as Beniers in his own zone. He is still good in his own zone but not quite as much as Beniers.

 

[kihei]

My wish list would include getting younger, bigger and stronger. Somehow.

Don't trade first round draft picks (unless the deal massively favours us, of course) or high draft picks in '26, a tempting year for prospects

No more mid-level Stephenson-type signings of aging players

Love the notion of offer-sheeting Knies as he is going to be a good one. Don't think Toronto would trade him for anything we could provide that was reasonable. But they may be cap space vulnerable still.

High end forward(s) definitely top my needs list. Trouble is, don't want Bennett at the price it would take; Ehlers maybe.

Have developed confused feelings about Marner. On paper, he would certainly fit the bill as a high-end forward that would improve our offense. But the money and term it would take to get him will be exorbitant, if he is available at all, which I think ultimately he won't be. Seems like a move I might regret but might do it anyway just because I do not want to sit through another year like this one and the last one.

Don't trade Wright. Beniers--don't want to trade him either but I would listen to offers.

Still scratching my head about how we signed Montour and a good D core somehow got worse. Dunn, Oleksiak, Larsson all expendable in the right deal. Hopefully, we get younger in the process. Also would like to get someone who makes a habit of knocking people on their ass when they take liberties in the crease.

About coaching: it seems like Bylsma has had absolutely no positive effect on the team whatsoever. Nothing about the team has even modestly improved except the goaltending thanks to Daccord. Definitely would have to consider firing Bylsma and getting someone else which, of course, makes Francis look bad, too. Please, not Torts, though.

End the Grubauer saga in Seattle. Replace with a large decorative flower pot that can be placed in goal.

 

[Fuhrious]

I don’t understand how other teams’ fans keep looking at the Kraken roster, see the complete and utter lack of even a single “elite” forward alongside a D Corps that on paper looks average to better than average, and think “I bet they want to trade a top forward prospect for yet another defenseman”.

What?

Why?

 

[RainyCityHockey]

Has Francis ever done an offer sheet for someone? They are uncommon as it is and Francis seems far from the type of GM would would go that route.

My concerns with Ehlers and Bennett are the same as yours. Both would be solid additions and arguably be impact players for us BUT they would very likely cost above market value. What it really comes down to with players like them is if they are ok with 5 year contracts. They are both much better than Stephenson but I don't want another 7 year contract for players in their late 20s.

Francis openly talked about offer sheets after the TDL.

I'm not sure he's going to do it but it might make some sense unless you're able to make a deal for an RFA with his current team.

There aren't any high level free agents that excite me. I wouldn't go near the Marner sweepstakes. The price will be outrageous and it's not like he's delivered the cup to the Leafs in all this time has he? There's a lesson in the big 4 salaries there cash strapping the rest of the roster.
Bennet is a solid second line player but belongs on a cup contender not a rebuild.

Maybe the thing to look at this year (with a rising cap) is offer sheets onto cap squeezed teams like St. Louis did to Edmonton. That has worked out well for them. Target some mid level RFAs. Maybe Peterka. Somebody like that.

Don't trade your 2026 picks. It's a deeper draft than this one.

As for the draft. Desnoyers? Top 5 or 6 are pretty good and hard to pick between.

Yep, there are no high end free agents and "going for it in free agency" is what gets you guys like Stephenson and his contract.

BTW: Francis seems to be determined to be "competitve" next season(he's most likely under a lot of pressure from ownership). and will most likely use picks to trade for guys.
Hopefully it's only the Bolts 1st rounders and not our own this year or next.
Of course with the exception being someone like a Pastrnak.

 

[CLW]

Francis openly talked about offer sheets after the TDL.

I'm not sure he's going to do it but it might make some sense unless you're able to make a deal for an RFA with his current team.



Yep, there are no high end free agents and "going for it in free agency" is what gets you guys like Stephenson and his contract.

BTW: Francis seems to be determined to be "competitve" next season(he's most likely under a lot of pressure from ownership). and will most likely use picks to trade for guys.
Hopefully it's only the Bolts 1st rounders and not our own this year or next.
Of course with the exception being someone like a Pastrnak.

Even teams like San Jose and Chicago are looking to move out of the pure tank zone. They will not be interested in picks only. For Francis to get meaningful additions he will have to start moving prospects + picks and maybe a couple of good roster players. The problem is that even if he does that he will at best make the team a tiny bit stronger, but not stronger in a meaningful, longterm way. And... the future will be weaker for the immediate shot at making a WC spot. It's simply counterproductive to do something stupid at this point.

How desperate is he? The probability that the FO will do something smart in this situation is around 0.02% according to my scientific study. But hats off to them if they actually do make smart moves this summer. I'll believe it when I see it.

 

[Dead Coyote]

I would love Dobson here but we would need to ship out one of Dunn or Montour. And also get back a somewhat decent forward.

I'd actually be more interested in getting Eiserman from the Isles though. He's exactly the kind of high potential home run hit we need more of.

I would trade Beniers and Dunn for Dobson and Eiserman, but I'm not sure many other people here would. I'm just a huge Eiserman fan. Maybe if Isles added another pick it would be closer? IDK.

On the topic of offersheets, I think it would be an incredible deal to get Knies or JJP and I would be happy paying a 1st + 2nd + 3rd (which I believe is 9.5 or 10.5m?) for either player if that's what it took, even though it probably takes a lot less.

 

[CLW]

I would love Dobson here but we would need to ship out one of Dunn or Montour. And also get back a somewhat decent forward.

I'd actually be more interested in getting Eiserman from the Isles though. He's exactly the kind of high potential home run hit we need more of.

I would trade Beniers and Dunn for Dobson and Eiserman, but I'm not sure many other people here would. I'm just a huge Eiserman fan. Maybe if Isles added another pick it would be closer? IDK.

On the topic of offersheets, I think it would be an incredible deal to get Knies or JJP and I would be happy paying a 1st + 2nd + 3rd (which I believe is 9.5 or 10.5m?) for either player if that's what it took, even though it probably takes a lot less.

The 1st is a Kraken first. Would you do that for the 2026 1st unprotected? I wouldn't.

By far the biggest hole on the Kraken is at 1C, then defensive D and obviously backup goalie. But seeing that 1C are very rare (next to impossible) to get outside the draft - for this offseason's trade operations I feel the real issue starts with team defence. I'd rather see the team bring in two D who can defend the d zone and hold the bluelines than more offensive D that struggle in their own end. The Kraken D corps score a lot of goals, but they leak more. To me that is the biggest issue, much more so than getting a glitzy offensive winger to market (not saying Knies is glitzy but as an overall point). (Tbf the defensive issues could also be coaching/system related and at least partially improved with a better system).

I do agree with the approach to target RFA's. Trade for them if the offer is too high (1st+); offer sheet if the cost is a 2nd+.

 

[Dead Coyote]

The 1st is a Kraken first. Would you do that for the 2026 1st unprotected? I wouldn't.

By far the biggest hole on the Kraken is at 1C, then defensive D and obviously backup goalie. But seeing that 1C are very rare (next to impossible) to get outside the draft - for this offseason's trade operations I feel the real issue starts with team defence. I'd rather see the team bring in two D who can defend the d zone and hold the bluelines than more offensive D that struggle in their own end. The Kraken D corps score a lot of goals, but they leak more. To me that is the biggest issue, much more so than getting a glitzy offensive winger to market (not saying Knies is glitzy but as an overall point). (Tbf the defensive issues could also be coaching/system related and at least partially improved with a better system).

I do agree with the approach to target RFA's. Trade for them if the offer is too high (1st+); offer sheet if the cost is a 2nd+.

I think that while Dobson has his issues he's young enough and has potential to be good at both ends of the ice. He's been inconsistent but has had moments where he looks like a top 10 or 15 D in the league and IMO his defensive issues are a tad bit overblown. At this point if Larsson and Evans don't pick it up he might actually be our best defensive d-man as well. Which isn't great but again, he's young and has potential to pick it up both ways.

I wouldn't give a top 5 pick for him with Beniers, but I would give a protected top 5. The poster in question also said 2025 swaps which they posited as 10th for 5th- if that's the case I'm absolutely down to swap 5 spots for the difference between Dobson and Beniers. I probably wouldn't give up our 2026 pick at all, but I would give up 2025.

 

[Toomany7pins]

I think they have to make good trades, be smart in FA, and bring up some of the talented kids.

It has to be a combo platter of the above and you need to hit on all 3.

Also need to get rid of the deadwood blocking the kids in the minors that are near ready.

Would like to see Dunn traded, and Gru released, eat his crappy contract as it’s a sunk cost as him playing is costing you wins.

 

[Toomany7pins]

I would love Dobson here but we would need to ship out one of Dunn or Montour. And also get back a somewhat decent forward.

I'd actually be more interested in getting Eiserman from the Isles though. He's exactly the kind of high potential home run hit we need more of.

I would trade Beniers and Dunn for Dobson and Eiserman, but I'm not sure many other people here would. I'm just a huge Eiserman fan. Maybe if Isles added another pick it would be closer? IDK.

On the topic of offersheets, I think it would be an incredible deal to get Knies or JJP and I would be happy paying a 1st + 2nd + 3rd (which I believe is 9.5 or 10.5m?) for either player if that's what it took, even though it probably takes a lot less.

You don’t ship out Montour. Dunn, yes.

 

[Kevinsane]

I’m a firm believer in building north. Goaltending, defence, forward.
The Kraken need a reliable backup goalie. Nothing spectacular, just dependable quality starts. Brossoit, Reimer, DeSmith type guy. Affordable and experienced.
After that the D needs to be figured out and strengthened. Then and only then do you throw money at a UFA. A splashy signing would appease the casual fans, but when the other team blows past him, walks a defender, and buries it past a goalie on the second shot of the game, the shine comes off the new toy really quickly.

 

[GrungeHockey]

Francis openly talked about offer sheets after the TDL.

I'm not sure he's going to do it but it might make some sense unless you're able to make a deal for an RFA with his current team.



Yep, there are no high end free agents and "going for it in free agency" is what gets you guys like Stephenson and his contract.

BTW: Francis seems to be determined to be "competitve" next season(he's most likely under a lot of pressure from ownership). and will most likely use picks to trade for guys.
Hopefully it's only the Bolts 1st rounders and not our own this year or next.
Of course with the exception being someone like a Pastrnak.

Offer sheets make sense but I'm not sure it's a good idea to trade off high draft picks at this stage. Organizational depth isn't very good and we need to amass more talent in the pipeline. Also not sure how many teams out there want to shed veterans for picks.

 

[Dead Coyote]

You don’t ship out Montour. Dunn, yes.

I don't disagree, I'm a fan of Montour. More so than Dunn. And it's possible Dunn keeps playing like shit, but we also must remember that this is only 1 year and mostly half the season that he's played like shit, and before that was our best d-man by far- and still could be our best d-man. He's also younger than Montour by a decent amount.

All that said, yes I think we should trade him BECAUSE he's more valuable (probably) than Montour, and because Montour has been playing with a lot more heart lately, BUT they're both roughly equivalent players and it's not a big deal- if for example the Islanders would do the above deal for Montour but not Dunn, I wouldn't lose sleep over that. Ergo for any other similar deal.

Unless we're going full tank mode we really don't have the choice to get rid of one or both of them without getting someone back, so it's kind of a moot point.

 

[sigma six]

Dunn has been a shadow of his previous self late this season, but I'm not ready to trade him away yet. If he doesn't want to be here then yes, you do a deal next year after he's played well and bolstered that value. But we don't really know anything, the guy could have stuff going on or still be playing hurt.

Everyone seemed pretty happy with him until he came back from injury.

 

[Fuhrious]

I was admittedly very skeptical of the Montour signing. I worried he was a product of the depth and system they had/have in Florida, and that he would flounder as the "main guy" in Seattle. Watching him this season I am happy to admit my apprehension was unwarranted : he's a very good player, and is enjoyable to watch.

I still wish Seattle hadn't signed him.

The term is too long and to my mind he didn't fill a critical need for this team last off-season and still doesn't now. It's arguable that he's an older version of Dunn and equally arguable that part of the reason Dunn's regressed this half of the season is he's losing utilization and TOI now to Montour.

I wish he had signed somewhere else and been good/fun for them. I feel like Francis threw money at whoever would take his calls whether they fit an actual need for this team or not, and I'd really rather not see him do that again this coming UFA period.

 

[Fistfullofbeer]

Dunn has been a shadow of his previous self late this season, but I'm not ready to trade him away yet. If he doesn't want to be here then yes, you do a deal next year after he's played well and bolstered that value. But we don't really know anything, the guy could have stuff going on or still be playing hurt.

Everyone seemed pretty happy with him until he came back from injury.

Dunn is probably still playing injured. However, my concern with him is more to do with his contract going forward. He has been difficult in the past to negotiate with on contracts. I like him, but Montour makes him dispensable if Dunn tries to squeeze the last dime out of us. However, the team needs to start negotiating with him sooner than later and decide if he is part of our future.

@Fuhrious Montour's contract is what I was neutral on when we signed him. However, I like him more and more as the season goes on. He is the type of player that this team needs more. Skilled, yet hard-working. He is not overly physical, but does not shy away from contact. His speed and skating adds a dimension to our backend. Really good combination of character and skill.

Personally, I think trying to improve the D from the back-end is a decent approach. Like many others have pointed out, our D, on paper, is better than the product on the ice. I am guessing it's a system thing but getting an upgrade on Oleksiak to add more speed in the backend would be one way to help. The other would be better coaching. Also, Dunn's TOI/G has gone down but only by a minute since 2023-24. It's still a good number at 22:05 per game. 1 less than Montour BUT I think a healthy Dunn would have seen his numbers closer to Montour over the course of the season.

 

[CLW]

I was admittedly very skeptical of the Montour signing. I worried he was a product of the depth and system they had/have in Florida, and that he would flounder as the "main guy" in Seattle. Watching him this season I am happy to admit my apprehension was unwarranted : he's a very good player, and is enjoyable to watch.

I still wish Seattle hadn't signed him.

The term is too long and to my mind he didn't fill a critical need for this team last off-season and still doesn't now. It's arguable that he's an older version of Dunn and equally arguable that part of the reason Dunn's regressed this half of the season is he's losing utilization and TOI now to Montour.

I wish he had signed somewhere else and been good/fun for them. I feel like Francis threw money at whoever would take his calls whether they fit an actual need for this team or not, and I'd really rather not see him do that again this coming UFA period.

This team needs to improve. The signing of Montour, for better or worse - and I agree it was an odd signing, and Dunn's contract situation makes Dunn a prime trade option. I've been hard on Dunn but agree that it's quite possible he's playing through something or have something going on in his life that affects his focus. It's also possible he simply is not enjoying life as a Kraken anymore.

We all know Dunn is much better than what he is showing right now. Whatever is going on he's making bad reads, coughs up the puck and plays lackadaisical game in game out right now. Larsson gets criticism but he's +18 having to babysit/cover for a Dunn in lalaland. (Dunn is -6). The FO has to get this one right, and not just lazily hope Dunn will turn it around next season.

In any case the D overall has to be much better next season.

I would not resign Fleury. Evans I'd keep on a bridge deal but he's a depth D right now, not quite good enough for a top 4 role and not the type you want on the bottom pair. Or if he's good enough for a top four you still cannot have him, current model Dunn and Montour in your top 4 and expect to be solid defensively. Keep Mahura but give him a better partner. Oleksiak has also started to become very 'variable' lately.

 

[Fistfullofbeer]

Larsson gets criticism but he's +18 having to babysit/cover for a Dunn in lalaland. (Dunn is -6). The FO has to get this one right, and not just lazily hope Dunn will turn it around next season.

I was lookin at our teams stats this weekend and did a double take when I saw that too. And the next closest teammate is at +6. Still good for 25 points this season as well.

In any case the D overall has to be much better next season.

Much better for sure.

I would not resign Fleury. Evans I'd keep on a bridge deal but he's a depth D right now, not quite good enough for a top 4 role and not the type you want on the bottom pair. Or if he's good enough for a top four you still cannot have him, current model Dunn and Montour in your top 4 and expect to be solid defensively. Keep Mahura but give him a better partner. Oleksiak has also started to become very 'variable' lately.

I think Oleksiak has value simply because of his size and how other GM's view him. In my mind replace him and pair Montour with a more steady stay-at-home D-man who is mobile and can skate. Should make that pairing much more effective.

Regarding Dunn, I know he never seemed like a fast skater but he just seems slow this season. Not sure if its an injury, something mental or just lack of interest. Either way, the team depends a lot on him for our offense. The team's offensive production is noticeably worse without him on the roster. So like you said, hopefully Francis evaluates this carefully before throwing money at Dunn. When he is on, he does play like a #1D. Or close to it. But does he want to be here?