NHL Rumors: Seattle Kraken Making Trade Calls
Sitting firmly in the Pacific Division playoff mix, Seattle knows its structure and goaltending can hang with anyone, but the offense still trails near the bottom of the NHL. That is why, as David Pagnotta of the Fourth Period has reported, management is scouring the market for an impact scoring winger who can slide into the first line or at least solidify the top six.
Kraken walk the line between patience and aggression
GM Jason Botterill and president Ron Francis are being careful because so much of this roster is in flux. Pending unrestricted free agents like Jaden Schwartz, Jordan Eberle, Mason Marchment, Eeli Tolvanen and Jamie Oleksiak give Seattle options, but also make it tricky to judge how much to spend and how many futures to move right now.
David Pagnotta: There are a few teams in the Western Conference...a couple in the Pacific that really like Jordan Kyrou; we know Seattle has been one...the Ducks are a team that, willing to go big fish hunting - The Sheet (11/21)
— NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) November 24, 2025
Talks with Schwartz have already started, and there is genuine interest in keeping him as a veteran anchor, but the front office knows that even if he re-signs they still need another real offensive driver.
The organization kicked tires on St. Louis Blues winger Jordan Kyrou around the 2025 draft before his full no-trade clause kicked in, and the Blues are still listening on him, though there is no clear indication he would waive to come to Seattle.
Targets, timing and a top-six mandate
Pagnotta notes that the Kraken’s wish list is very specific: a true impact winger with high-end scoring upside who can live in their top six.
Names expected to circulate around the league as the market opens up include experienced forwards like Nazem Kadri, Alex Tuch and Boone Jenner, along with younger wingers such as Nick Robertson and Brad Lambert.
Nazem Kadri scores a BEAUTY for the shootout winner 😮💨🔥 pic.twitter.com/oi1raFH6qh
— Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) November 23, 2025
Seattle has the prospect capital to play in that sandbox, with a deep pool that includes Jagger Firkus and several recent AHL promotions, and they have more than two million dollars in current cap space plus roughly thirty five million projected for next season.
That gives them the flexibility either to strike at the deadline in a buyer’s market or to wait for a thinner but still interesting 2026 free agent class, where players like Tuch, Nick Schmaltz or even Evgeni Malkin could be in play.
The Kraken have become one of the hardest teams to break down defensively and have allowed among the fewest goals in the league, but that will only take them so far if they remain near the bottom in offense.
Photo Credit: Gerry Angus-Imagn Images
