The Kraken have made a move to add some defensive depth as they’ve acquired defenseman Jaycob Megna from San Jose in exchange for a 2023 fourth-round draft pick. Both teams have confirmed the swap.
The 30-year-old had been a regular for the Sharks for most of the season, playing in a career-high 48 games. He chipped in a goal with 11 assists along with 63 blocks and 75 hits while averaging more than 19 minutes per contest. It’s unlikely that Megna will see that much ice time with Seattle as he is likely to be more of a depth defender with the Kraken when everyone is healthy. Megna has played in 135 NHL contests between Anaheim and San Jose for his career, collecting four goals and 21 assists.
Megna represents a low-cost depth addition for Seattle, both in terms of the acquisition cost and salary. On the contract front, he’s in the first season of a two-year, minimum-salary deal with an AAV of $762,500. Next season, that will be below the league minimum which will give him some extra value. As for the draft pick, Seattle will get to choose between sending their fourth-round selection or Colorado’s and will be required to make that choice by June 15th.
At the moment, Seattle had been carrying the minimum of six healthy defenders on the roster thanks to the injury to Justin Schultz that has kept him out of the lineup for the last couple of weeks. Megna will battle Cale Fleury for playing time in Schultz’s absence. The Kraken had two open roster spots prior to the swap so no corresponding move will need to be made to add him to their lineup.
This is a great deal for Seattle. He’ll slot into Schultz’s spot on 2nd pairing until Schultz comes back from injury, and then push down to the third, making a decision on Soucy or Borgen necessary next.
Can’t fault coughing up just a fourth rounder for a NHL-caliber player.
Schultz, Fleury and Borgen are RD. Pics look like Megna is LD (?). That would put Soucy theoretically on the block if all are healthy, which seems unlikely with the Kraken’s current success, unless they get a haul, which they might. But maybe they look to get a haul for Megna within the month. Fascinating trade.
Megna will be the 7th D when Schultz get back.
Dunn-Larsson
Oleksiak-Schultz
Soucy-Borgen
7th D Megna
I bet they keep Megna and not resign Soucy, Mr Untimely Penalty Taker. Megna has done well for the Sharks, and costs literally nothing. A good move—
Soucy was unlikely to be brought back next year even before this pickup. One or both of Ryker Evans and Peetro Seppala should crack the roster next year. I think they will hang onto Soucy through the end of the season because the team is going well. But I think they have known for a while he isn’t in next year’s plan.
Trying to see how this makes sense for the sharks but having trouble. Capfriendly lists Megna on L with Soucy at R on the 3rd. Was not expecting that. Should be interesting. Soucy has been *more responsible recently re penalties but that’s definitely been a consistent problem so far. Other than that pretty talented player, I’ve liked him well enough. Should be fun watching the next few weeks. I don’t think the kraken are thrilled on Evans at the moment
What makes you think they are not thrilled on Evans?
First, let me just say I’m just basing this on my own watching of the behavior of the organization vs. anything that’s been stated, so ultimately it’s mere speculation. Second, I have no intention of suggesting they are somehow sour on him or less than on-board with him. My eye/gut just suggest they possibly view him as progressing averagely (as opposed to somehow above average), which may be unfair of me to assume of a 2nd round pick. People can bust or be gold from any round or not even drafted at all. Just trying to be a participant by sharing personal opinions, which certainly may be wrong! But, to finally “answer” the question: purely based on their moves, I feel like we would’ve seen him instead of Olofsson this season (yeah I know he’s like 5-6 years younger than Olof and still young in general, but he’s 21, which isn’t totally green). That coupled with just my own eye check of his play in practices/prospect events. Haven’t watched many firebirds games, and his stats are good.. it’s just really to me, I just think if they were feeling he might play regularly next season, he’d have seen some of those chances to get in this year especially as a waiver-exempt player. Sorry to belabor the point. I was just imagining your last name is Calkins so I wanted to give a robust reply. ;)