In a Q&A post with The Athletic’s Ryan S. Clark today, Seattle Kraken CEO Tod Leiweke said today that he’s encouraged general manager Ron Francis to spend to the salary cap, if possible, in order to build a contending roster out of the gate.
The statement from Leiweke comes amidst one of the most hectic and compact offseasons in recent history, especially considering the lack of a salary cap increase. The fact that Seattle will be able to take advantage of the full $81.5MM available to them already gives them a competitive advantage on a handful of teams for a variety of reasons. The majority of NHL teams are still dealing with either buyouts, overage penalties, or retained salary transactions that will lower their spending ceiling next season. For some teams, spending to the cap is currently impossible as they continue to suffer from COVID-related financial losses.
It also allows Seattle to add some assets to the franchise’s cupboards in exchange for helping other teams out of their cap trouble. They’ll likely be a trade partner for the cap-strapped Tampa Bay Lightning, who currently need to clear over $5MM in cap in order to be compliant in 2021-22. A name like Yanni Gourde or Tyler Johnson could easily find themselves playing in the Pacific Northwest next season. And with some top-end free agents still remaining, the full amount of usable cap space may better enable Seattle to make a run at some big names like Dougie Hamilton or David Krejci, if they so choose.
While it’s impossible to expect a 109-point run of terror in their first season, things are shaping up to make at least a playoff berth a realistic option for the Kraken in Year One. With the Pacific Division shaping up as a weak matchup, combined with their salary cap advantages, Seattle should be a great draw out of the gate.
Hopefully for players like Neal, Lucic, etc just to have a shot at Shane Wright next years draft after Power at 2 this draft.
#builditwright #youvegotthepower
Lucic rebuilt some value this year. but still terrible contract. wonder if it still takes a 1st to get out of final 2 years even if flames retained a bit. Neal is for sure a 1st rounder to Seattle, plus guaranteed to probably be a LTIR guy soon enough. gonna be really fun to see how seattle uses that cap space
Wasn’t supposed to be a shot at Lucic at all on my part. Love the way the guy plays the game. I would be thrilled to have him here in a Seattle sweater.
I’m already having a blast with the cap on the expansion simulator from Capfriendly.
Happy belated Canada & early Independence Day everyone.
i didnt take it that way just saying hes bad but not as terrible as everyone says he is. happy days to u to bud
This could very well be one of the busiest/best offseason in the history of the NHL. With so many teams with cap problems due to flat cap or ownership mandates, players who have asked for trades but weren’t able to get done due to restrictions (derek stepan prime example) plus the expansion team ownership throwing fist fulls of cash around. A draft that could be a crap shoot and a shortened offseason, its gonna be opening day before no time
They should take on a few bad contracts to stockpile picks like Vegas did. It will give them tons of assets to move in trades down the line.
I don’t see Krejci going to Seattle. He has talked about taking less to stay in Boston & if he doesn’t re-sign in Boston, I don’t see him moving his family completely across the country. Hamilton will go to whoever pays him the most. I wonder if this changes Francis’ approach in the expansion draft. Instead drafting cheaper options, do they take on more salary now? Do they gamble on a Ryan Johansen or Matt Duchense to have a top six center? Do they take a JVR or Voracek from Philly?
If you’re a Kraken fan you gotta love this. Too bad all teams don’t spend up to the cap, talking to you —> Henry Samueli.
@NativeAmerican
As a Ducks fan, the fact that we aren’t two or two and a half years into a rebuild is a damning indictment on Murray and the Samueli’s.
They aren’t going to get a Fleury in his prime like Vegas did and their center pool is weak (as it was for Vegas) but there are enough solid goalies, good wingers and good defenseman available that Seattle will only be uncompetitive if they choose.
Jerry Bruckheimer didn’t pay $650 million to own the 2014 Hurricanes. Ronnie is going to have to stop bunting and start swinging for the fences.
In particular, if CGY exposes Giordano, I think SEA pounces to make him their first captain.
Probably, but free agency exists too. I wouldn’t be shocked if Seattle takes a run at a top tier goalie there.
Why would Seattle pounce to take a 38 year old, rapidly declining, only 1 year left on contract Giordano? Could he be their choice? Sure. But I doubt they’re jumping at the opportunity.
Culture.
You only get one chance to build a dressing room culture from scratch.
He’s the best leader available, he won a Norris two years ago not ten years ago and they can resign him at a lower AAV if he pans out. Oh, and they can always trade him a rental if he doesn’t.
Perfect expansion pick.
As much as I don’t like fwjbt opinions, I agree..they need a leader and Giordano is the perfect candidate…
Maybe they’ll take Duchene afterall! :D
But this doesn’t suprise me. The people running this team aren’t doing this on the cheap.