Kraken May Have To Trade Productive Top-6 Forward

The Seattle Kraken are right in the mix for a playoff spot, but there is still some time until the trade deadline, though it approaches quickly. Some big decisions are going to have to be made. There isn't a high chance that the Kraken bring back all five of their pending UFAs, but would certainly like to keep a couple around if they can.

The group of upcoming free agents on the Kraken include Jordan Eberle, Eeli Tolvanen, Jaden Schwartz, Ben Meyers, and Jamie Oleksiak. Who we're focusing on here is the most impactful for the future of the team, Tolvanen.

David Pagnotta said, "If the Kraken can't get Eeli Tolvanen signed ahead of the deadline, they could move him."

Tolvanen is one of the most impactful players in the Kraken's lineup, and at age 26, could get better still as he enters his prime. He plays in all situations, has proven to be a top-6 player, and the former first-round pick is signed at a great deal right now. But with a new contract, his cap hit is going to have to go up significantly.

Tolvanen has 10 goals and 29 points this season while averaging just over 16 minutes per game. His two-way game is solid as he has 122 hits and 52 blocked shots on the season in 49 games. He's not the highest point producer, but he is a very suitable complementary player for the top-6 or even the third line if the Kraken spread out the wealth amongst their forward group.

His physical play, two-way play, and ability to produce at over half a point-per-game makes him valuable and someone the Kraken, who should be more of a younger team on the rise, shouldn't just let walk for nothing. There's not much heard about a contract extension between the two sides, but Seattle is two points back of a playoff spot with a game in hand. The team already traded Mason Marchment and it's likely someone like Oleksiak could go, but the Kraken have cap space and shouldn't move Tolvanen if they can help it and get a deal done.