A look at first Seattle Kraken free agency adds, Burakovsky and Schultz

The Seattle Kraken are keeping pace at the start of NHL free agency.

Seattle Kraken Development Camp Observations: Wright is real deal

Two major signings by the Kraken were made Wednesday, headlined by defenseman Andre Burakovsky, who was a standout for the Stanley Cup champion Colorado Avalanche last season.

Seattle is building up depth for the debut season of its minor league affiliate, the Coachella Valley Firebirds of the AHL, and the Kraken suitably also announced a number of smaller signings Wednesday afternoon: forwards Jesper Froden, Cameron Hughes, Austin Peganski and Andrew Potularski, goalies Magnus Hellberg and Martin Jones, and defenseman Brogan Rafferty.

You can listen to Kraken general manager Ron Francis speak to the media about Wednesday’s moves in the tweet embedded below:

With day one of #NHLFreeAgency officially in the books, General Manager @RonFrancis10 discussed the new additions to the #SeaKraken organization.

Watch his full avail → https://t.co/GHRSCRoGjH pic.twitter.com/Yzk2TuF7kW

— Seattle Kraken (@SeattleKraken) July 14, 2022

Here’s a quick look at the two biggest names coming to Seattle so far.

Andre Burakovsky, LW

The 27-year-old Burakovsky is joining the Seattle Kraken on a five-year deal worth $5.5 million per season, and he’s certainly a notable get for the young franchise.

Burakovsky scored 61 points on 22 goals and 39 assists in 80 regular season games last season with Colorado, all career-high numbers for him. He also ran a plus-minus of +12.

“Andre brings offensive skill and creativity to our forward group,” Francis said in a press release. “He has won two Stanley Cups, has good size and has been a very productive offensive contributor. We are excited he is signing with us.”

Hailing from Austria, Burakovsky is coming off a successful three-year tenure with the Avalanche after five seasons with Washington, who drafted him 23rd overall in the first round of the 2013 NHL Draft.

In the playoffs this spring, Burakovsky scored eight points (three goals, five assists) in 12 games and was +3.

The Goal of the Week belongs to none other than Andre Burakovsky for giving the @Avalanche the Game 1 victory! #StanleyCup

NHL x @NavyFederal pic.twitter.com/1EF6RiVb7h

— NHL (@NHL) June 19, 2022

Justin Schultz, D

The Seattle Kraken are bringing a local product back to the Pacific Northwest in Schultz, who grew up in Kelowna, British Columbia, about a 5 1/2-hour drive from Seattle.

A 10-year NHL veteran, Schultz has played for the Edmonton Oilers (2012-16), Pittsburgh Penguins (2016-20) and Washington Capitals (the last two seasons). He scored four goals and made 19 assists in 74 games in 2021-22.

Anaheim selected Schultz in the second round of the 2008 NHL Draft, and he played alongside Kraken All-Star Jordan Eberle when both were with the Oilers.

Schultz is signing a two-year deal worth roughly $3 million with the Kraken.

First shot: 👎
Second shot: 👍

Justin Schultz made it count in the end. #StadiumSeries pic.twitter.com/oQg0hj9Goq

— NHL (@NHL) February 24, 2019

NHL experts: What landing Shane Wright means for the Seattle Kraken