Seattle Kraken & Winnipeg Jets Finalize Trade

The Winnipeg Jets are gearing up for a reunion with forward Mason Appleton after the team acquired the forward from the Seattle Kraken, only months after the Kraken selected Appleton from the Jets during the expansion draft.

Credit to @WFPJasonBell for being first to suggest Appleton’s return to Winnipeg. Jets give up a 4th in 2023.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) March 21, 2022

Sounds like #nhljets have some moving parts tonight. Or tomorrow?@WFPJasonBell reporting Jets are on the verge of reacquiring Mason Appleton from #SeaKraken

I’m told Jets have two 2nd round picks tabled for Andrew Copp, but are looking for a 1st. Tomorrow?
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) March 21, 2022

Appleton has been rumored to be one of the many Kraken on the block and general manager Ron Francis isn't messing around ahead of his first trade deadline in Seattle. It obvious the executive is focused on accumulating as many draft picks as possible as the Kraken have been busy of late moving Calle Jarnkrok, Mark Giordano, Colin Blackwell, and Jeremy Lauzon in separate deals.

And the total number keeps growing! #SeaKraken are now up to a total of 32 draft picks over the next 3 drafts:

1st: 3x
2nd: 8x
3rd: 5x
4th: 6x
5th: 3x
6th: 3x
7th: 4x https://t.co/kw7OK7GeSi
— CapFriendly (@CapFriendly) March 21, 2022

The Jets are over the moon to get Appleton back in their mix as he was a huge part of the team's checking third line last season. It didn't go as planned with the Kraken, in 49 games he's scored six times and re-joins the Jets with 17 points on the year. The 26-year-old carries a $900,000 cap hit this season and is a pending restricted free agent. It's likely Appleton signs a three to four-year deal to stay in Winnipeg before July 1 and is likely going to double his salary on his next contract.

Winnipeg continues to discuss Andrew Copp in trades as the rugged forward is gaining a ton of trade interest from contenders as he's versatile to play up and down the lineup. As Frank Seravalli points out above, it's likely a move could be coming before Monday afternoon's deadline and we could see a first-round pick heading to Winnipeg in the deal for Copp and his 32 points in 55 games this season. What a time to be alive...

Photo credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports