After signing Chandler Stephenson and Brandon Montour in the offseason, expectations were cautiously optimistic for the Pacific Division’s newest franchise. Yet, as the 4 Nations Face-Off break approaches, the Kraken sit at a disappointing 24-29-4, with just 52 points. That’s the fifth-lowest in the NHL and second-worst in their division.

With the March 7 trade deadline looming, it’s clear the Kraken are likely sellers. But the pressing question is: who do they have to move? Let’s break it down.

Jared McCann may be the Kraken’s most enticing trade chip. According to Sportsnet’s Jacob Stoller, McCann could be available, and if so, he’d immediately become one of the top wingers on the market.
This season, McCann has put up 14 goals and 42 points in 57 games. His track record is even more impressive: 29 goals and 62 points in 2021-22, followed by a stellar 40-goal, 70-point campaign in 2022-23.

At 28 years old, McCann is versatile. He’s a proven penalty killer, logging the third-most shorthanded minutes among Kraken forwards, and has experience playing center. His contract carries a $5 million cap hit through 2026-27, but he does have a 10-team no-trade list.

Yanni Gourde’s career journey is nothing short of inspiring. From going undrafted to grinding it out in the AHL, to winning two Stanley Cups, and now serving as an alternate captain for Seattle.

His best offensive season came in 2017-18 with Tampa Bay, where he posted 25 goals and 64 points. This year, his production has dipped, six goals and 16 points in 35 games, partly due to ongoing recovery from sports hernia surgery. He’s expected to remain out for another month or so.

Gourde, 31, is a pending unrestricted free agent with a $5.162 million cap hit and a 23-team no-trade list. A strong two-way center and key penalty killer, Gourde could still be an attractive option for playoff teams seeking depth down the middle.

Brandon Tanev brings energy and grit that contenders crave in their bottom six. Known for his relentless intensity, Tanev is a player who thrives in tough situations.

The 31-year-old forward hit career highs in 2022-23 with 16 goals and 35 points. This season, he’s added nine goals and 17 points in 55 games. What makes Tanev especially valuable is his penalty-killing prowess, as he leads all Kraken forwards with 127 minutes logged shorthanded.

Set to hit free agency at season’s end, Tanev carries a cap hit of $3.5 million and has a 10-team no-trade clause. He’s a cost-effective option for teams looking to bolster their depth.

Oliver Bjorkstrand might not kill penalties, but he’s a reliable two-way forward with offensive upside.

The 28-year-old has 15 goals and 35 points this season. Last year, he set career highs with 20 goals and 59 points, and he’s hit the 20-goal mark in four of the last six seasons. His best scoring year came in 2021-22 with Columbus, where he tallied 28 goals.

Bjorkstrand’s contract runs through 2025-26 with a $5.4 million cap hit and a 10-team no-trade list. His term and consistency make him an appealing option for teams looking to add scoring depth.

The lone defenseman on this list, Jamie Oleksiak, offers size, experience, and solid play on the back end.

Standing at 6’7”, Oleksiak has four goals and 13 points in 57 games this season. His best offensive year came in 2022-23, where he posted nine goals and 25 points. The 32-year-old also has playoff experience, with five goals and nine points in 27 games during the 2020 postseason.

Oleksiak is a key piece of Seattle’s penalty kill, logging over 155 minutes shorthanded this season. He’s signed through 2025-26 with a $4.6 million cap hit and a 16-team no-trade list. His combination of size and term could make him a valuable pickup for teams needing defensive depth.

The Kraken’s underwhelming season has them set to be sellers at the deadline. If they choose to move players like McCann, Gourde, Tanev, Bjorkstrand, or Oleksiak, they could stockpile valuable draft picks and assets for the future. As the trade deadline nears, all eyes will be on Seattle. Will they shake up their roster, or stick with their current core?