The Seattle Kraken are getting a big free agent name yet again, signing winger Andre Burakovsky to a five-year deal worth a total of $27.5MM.
It’s an interesting move for the Kraken, who seem to be set on surrounding some of their elite young players with enough talent to be competitive. Burakovsky can potentially join a player like Matthew Beniers in his first full season, giving him a skilled winger that can contribute at both ends of the rink. The 27-year-old had 22 goals and 61 points this season, career-highs in both categories.
Still, even with that strong performance, there has still been criticism of inconsistency levied at the Austrian forward. Burakovsky can go through stretches where he seems extremely ineffective, only to then take over a game completely the next night. Standing 6’3″ with good speed and hands, there has always seemed to be no limit on what he could become at the NHL level.
Perhaps his time in Colorado has truly unlocked that potential and the Kraken are getting a player who has scored at an impeccable rate over the last three seasons. Since joining the Avalanche in 2019, Burakovsky has 150 points in 191 games, numbers that Seattle would obviously welcome with open arms.
A five-year deal carries plenty of risk though, especially if he reverts to the player that had just 25 points in 76 games for the Washington Capitals in 2018-19. Burakovsky is now tied for the highest-paid forward on the Kraken, and signed as long as anyone else on the roster.
The best player in Kraken history.
Move aside, Jared McCann.
This was a predictable move. Bernier and Wright have a winger to pass to now.
I was really hoping to get through today with Andrew Poturalski being our biggest signing. Sign anybody you want for two or even three years. But this five year stuff starts getting in the way of the RFA years for all those draft picks we worked so hard to get. I’m hoping they will need expensive extensions.
On the surface I understand this. But I think Seattle (and several of the teams handing out long-term deals today) are counting on the cap rising significantly in a couple of years. If it goes according to prediction, they will have plenty to re-up those guys. This is a good move to provide stability. Combine with hopeful health of Tanev, Schwartz and company and the Kraken can target being competitive this year too.
Yes!!
Mr Inconsistent man! He’s probably going to score 15-20.