The Seattle Kraken have made waves ahead of the Expansion Draft’s start, signing pending unrestricted free agent defenseman Jamie Oleksiak to a five-year deal. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reports that the contract carries an average annual value of $4.6MM while CapFriendly adds that the breakdown is as follows:
2021-22: $3.5MM, full no-trade clause
2022-23: $4.25MM, full no-trade clause
2023-24: $6MM, full no-trade clause
2024-25: $5.5MM 16-team no-trade clause
2025-26: $3.75MM 16-team no-trade clause
Oleksiak had a coming-out party in last year’s Stanley Cup Playoffs, playing a crucial role on Dallas’ second pairing with Miro Heiskanen on the Stars’ run to the 2020 Stanley Cup Final. Oleksiak’s strong play continued into 2020-21, earning him this big payday.
Averaging over 20 minutes a night last season, Oleksiak’s defensive results improved with his ice time. Cementing himself as a true top-four body, it’s entirely possible that Oleksiak finds himself on a pairing with another new Kraken addition in Adam Larsson. It could end up being one of the better shutdown pairings in the entire league, albeit an expensive one with a combined $8.6MM cap hit between the two. Oleksiak scored 14 points in 56 games last season, so his offensive upside is limited, but he still might provide 25-point potential.
For the Stars, they lose a big minute-munching body. Finding a new partner for Miro Heiskanen will likely come down to securing a new name on the open market. While no-one left on the market will have the size and physical appeal of Oleksiak, there are other acceptable options through free agency.
All salary cap information via CapFriendly.com.
Really underrated player, some of that is his own fault by being inconsistent. But, when he’s on his game, he can dominate. Really good skater. Can handle the puck. Score the odd goal for you here and there. And good luck getting around him and his stick.
Still one of the odder trades…the Pens got him for a future 4th round pick and then traded him back for the exact same pick.
Honestly, this is good for the Kraken but neither of their original teams should have signed them for that much or for that long, so good for the Kraken using their cap space, good for the players gettin’ theirs, and good for the Stars and Oilers not matching, if they had the option.
I do not think Edmonton was given the option. I believe Larsson just left.
Ugh, there’s an overpay and a half.