3 Seattle Kraken Trade Candidates Heading Into 2024 Offseason

The Seattle Kraken are going to miss the Stanley Cup Playoffs this season and look for GM Ron Francis to try and re-tool on the fly. The NHL's most recent expansion team has surpassed expectations early on in their tenure, however there's certainly some level of disappointment as they enter the final stretch of the regular season with a 29-29-13 record.

While Francis was busy ahead of the trade deadline this season, the work is far from over as the team heads into the NHL Entry Draft and 2024 offseason. Here's three Kraken who could be dealt this summer:

Adam Larsson

Francis received a ton of interest in his shut-down right-handed defenseman, and rightfully so, however his sky-high asking price wasn't met by any rival GM around the league. Larsson's price tag could come down a touch this summer and if the Kraken are able to land a first-round pick in return, look for Francis to take the bait. The Swedish blueliner has one season left at $4 million AAV and owns a 10-team modified no-trade clause. Larsson's recorded 18 points in 71 games so far this season and is one of the best shot-blockers and penalty killing d-men in the league.

Philipp Grubauer

Look for Francis to approach Grubauer this summer on the potential of being open to a trade. The veteran netminder owns a full no-trade clause at the moment, however once July 10 rolls around, he'll submit a list of 10 teams he doesn't want to be dealt with, opening the door to a potential move. So far this season, the German netminder has recorded a 2.96 GAA in 29 games and with 47 games of Stanley Cup Playoff experience, could be on the radar of some teams. Grubauer is owed $5.9 million AAV through the 2026-27 season so a bit of salary retention may be in play here. 

Yanni Gourde

Another veteran who the Kraken had calls on, Yanni Gourde has one season left on his deal and will submit a list of 22 teams he's open to be traded to. Gourde is on the books at $5.16 million next season and so far in 2023-24 has recorded just eight goals in 69 games. He has a ton of postseason experience and has performed well, with 42 points in 83 Stanley Cup Playoff games, so expect to see some potential contenders reach out to Francis at the draft.

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