Insider: Marchment Trade Just the First Domino for Kraken Moves

The Seattle Kraken moved on from a failed experiment with Mason Marchment pretty quickly, dealing him after just 29 games to the Columbus Blue Jackets just before the Holiday Trade Freeze a few days back. But according to insider David Pagnotta, that's likely just the first domino for the Kraken, in what could be a series of moves.

Appearing on the Oilersnation podcast, Pagnotta said that the franchise's all-time leading scorer, Jared McCann, could potentially be next.

He's been in play since last season. They tried moving him last season, he was available in the summer, and he's available now. Seattle got the ball rolling moving Marchment to Columbus, but they... kind of tipped their hat, saying, 'Ok, we're going to start doing this now'...
Yes, McCann's available. I'm not sure what the price tag would be, but yes, from my understanding, he's a player they'd be open to moving.

McCann, who's currently out again with a lower-body injury suffered a couple of weeks ago, has only managed to play 11 games this season, and has eight points.

But he's been the team's leading scorer in each of its four years of existence coming into this year. Last season, he finished with 22 goals and a career-high 39 assists for 61 points, while logging 17:13 average ice time.

McCann could be one of several Kraken to be dealt this season

But McCann still has another year left on his deal after this one, with a $5 million cap hit. There are other more urgent decisions that need to be made on a slew of pending unrestricted free agents.

Jordan Eberle, Jaden Schwartz, Jamie Oleksiak and Eeli Tolvanen are all on expiring deals, and must either be signed to an extension, or lost for nothing come July 1, 2026.

There has been very little, if any, talk of an extension for Eberle, but the 35-year-old Kraken captain could still stick around with a short-term, team-friendly deal. Schwartz and Oleksiak have been mentioned in trade talks before.

Seattle, despite a three-game win streak, must face reality. They're the lowest-scoring team in the NHL, and even if they somehow squeak into the playoffs (still unlikely) they're not a true threat in any shape or form to make any noise there.

They should really be looking at moving out some people and getting younger. Certainly, McCann, as an original Kraken, is a highly valued and popular player in Seattle. But the franchise needs to make some tough decisions. He will be turning 30 shortly after the season ends, and they need to start setting their sights higher. Trading McCann will get them their best return, as any receiving team will have him for two playoff runs. He does have a 10-team no-trade list.