Kraken: 3 Teams Linked To Jared McCann

There have to be some reasons beyond what the public knows as to why the Seattle Kraken would consider trading Jared McCann after making the upgrades they did and trying to get back into the playoffs. He was the team's leading scorer, and while he may not be in the long-term plans, he is on a great contract and is productive.

Due to the trade rumors, there have been multiple teams reportedly linked to the Kraken about a McCann trade. David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period said that the Vancouver Canucks, New York Rangers, and Ottawa Senators are three teams who have been linked.

Vancouver Canucks

McCann can play center and is a top-6 player, both things the Canucks desperately need ahead of next season. They aren't going to find it in free agency anymore and now the team has a little bit of cap space. Dakota Joshua has been traded to free that up, but Teddy Blueger was also listed as a trade candidate. A pick, prospect, and Blueger could pull McCann from the Kraken if they are indeed trading him. Depending on the pick and prospect of course, the money and value should work. This would give the Canucks more of a fighting chance and maybe give Seattle what they're looking for.

New York Rangers

The Rangers don't have the cap space to bring in McCann, plain and simple. That is this year. Artemi Panarin and Carson Soucy are both going into the final year of their deal and have a combined $14.85 million cap hit. Only Mika Zibanejad seems like a trade candidate if he accepts a trade. It's hard to predict where he will or if any team is even willing to acquire him. McCann would be a great addition for the Rangers if they can make it work, but I don't see it right now.

Ottawa Senators

The Senators are an interesting destination because they still have enough cap space with everyone signed to grab another player. I love their top-9 and it is very competitive. But if McCann was acquired, it would push something undeserving of fourth line minutes down. Fabian Zetterlund cannot spend any more time on the Senators' fourth line either. McCann has two years left on his deal and both Claude Giroux and David Perron are UFAs after next season. It could still work and allow Ottawa to really beef up ahead of 2025-26, but I also think the Kraken will want someone like Ridly Greig in return for McCann, and that's understandable.