A Sportsnet’s Jacob Stoller report earlier this week indicated that the Seattle Kraken could make forward Jared McCann available at the trade deadline. A few days later, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman contradicted the report on his ’32 Thoughts’ podcast saying that multiple teams had contacted Seattle regarding McCann’s availability — not the other way around.
It makes a lot of sense for contending teams to inquire about McCann. He’s on a cost-effective $5MM salary until July 1st, 2027, and has become a bona fide top-six forward in Seattle. After being selected from the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2021 NHL Expansion Draft, McCann has scored 110 goals and 224 points in 290 games, the franchise’s leader in both offensive categories.
Still, since Friedman noted that Seattle is receiving calls rather than making them, it would likely take a sizeable offer to pry him away from the Kraken. Friedman didn’t mention any teams specifically, but Ben Kuzma of The Province and Sammi Silber of The Hockey News both wrote articles rationalizing why the Vancouver Canucks and Washington Capitals could be potential fits respectively.
Although anything can happen, and more than two teams are likely calling, the edge would have to go to the Capitals. Out of the 18 trades made in Kraken history, the biggest deals have all been made with Eastern Conference teams involving players like Mark Giordano, Marcus Johansson, Oliver Bjorkstrand, Alexander Wennberg, and Kaapo Kakko.
Seattle has never been interested in helping teams within the Pacific Division and they don’t appear likely to trade arguably their top player, who they aren’t keenly interested in moving, to their rivals just over the northern border, even for a massive offer.
Washington would present another list of challenges. Even with approximately $17MM on LTIR, the Capitals only have $3.65MM in cap space which wouldn’t be enough to acquire McCann. They could include a roster player in the hypothetical trade but is Washington positioned to move on from Brandon Duhaime, Lars Eller, Nic Dowd, or Martin Fehervary?
As much as a player like McCann would generate plenty of trade interest, it doesn’t appear one is likely. Things could change leading up to the deadline, especially if more teams get involved, but it would likely require a generous overpay for the Kraken to part with their leading scorer.
Ronnie holds grudges.
A $5M AAV contract on term until 2027 for a 28 year old player in Jared McCann is actually a pretty good deal. It doesn’t surprise me teams asking about his availability. Based on Seattle’s trade history (like the article states), only Eastern Conference teams would have a chance of requiring him. I guess only time will tell if anything comes of this between now and the trade deadline.
People defended Hextall losing BOTH Tanev and McCann for nothing instead of just one of them (while protecting Jeff Carter and Teddy Blueger) because he was “an NHL GM” and his critics were not.
K.
Was wondering if anyone was going to bring up Pittsburgh ditching him to Toronto for a bucket of pucks & a guy they had already traded once (who ended up going back to Sweden.)
I don’t know if Carter could be left unprotected because he had a no movement clause.
But regardless losing McCann was just a terrible decision
People defend Hextall???
This seems like a bit of hindsight thinking here. At the time, I recall plenty of Pens fans were fine with this as cap clearing exercises. Tanev was seen as overpaid ever since Rutherford signed him, and McCann only really blossomed after he was taken by Seattle. It’s not hard to find contemporary articles defending these moves.
No hindsight here. The archives will bear that out.
But, you are correct that many yinzers (but not all) and our useless local media (that was the last straw for me in terms of taking Josh Yohe seriously) got it entirely wrong.
The best part of that deal was Dubas acquiring McCann just to protect Justin Holl instead of him lmao
McCann is Seattle’s best scoring threat, Maybe Francis will wise up one day, But his executive resume says he won’t! Trade Schwartz, Eberle, Kartye, Gourde, Get a stable backup in net.
I hate that you have a Canucks logo in your profile.
I think most folks would be surprised to read the “18 trades” part of that article… but maybe someday Francis will “wise up” and start taking advise from the comment section.
I’m just a Kesler fan.
Looks like firing the coach didn’t work .. next up .. trade your leading scorer .. that’s gotta be the solution to mediocrity
I’d love to see Stevie Y. pull the trigger.
McCann could slide into the second line center spot. Both Copp & Compher have been underwhelming when given the chance to center the second line. McCann centering Kane & DeBrincat would be a nice upgrade.
With the Devils looking for a depth center and a scoring forward and the Kraken being thin on legit right-shot D prospects a McCann/Gourde (half retained) for Nemec/Tatar deal seems like a win/win to me. As good as McCann is, they’re loaded with lefty wing prospects and are still a couple years away… he’s probably max value right now.
God, I hope not. Tatar was almost as bad as Victor Rask and Mojo were. If they’re gonna deal Canner and Gourde the return has to be much better than that.
Tatar is only to make the money work. Nemec is the return.
Also, a couple days ago someone told me McCann and Oleksiak to WPG in the works. I thought it was so outlandish I told a few friends just so if it does come to pass we all know who to take our future rumors from (him, not me). I have my doubts about Canner’s happiness in Seattle, but he’s arguably the most valuable forward on the roster, and he’s fun to watch, so I really dislike the idea of seeing him go. That said, I could totally see it happening. I could also see Oleksiak happening. But both, to Winnipeg? What does one get in return? They have some 1sts and 2nds? Dave Lowry’s son? Probably not Vilardi! No to Appleton. Is Kupari good enough? I digress, sorry!
The Devils are definitely a team to watch if McCann is truly available. I could see them being very aggressive on this.
please DO NOT trade McCann!! Instead, get better players to play around him.