Top Seattle Kraken trade assets for March 21 NHL trade deadline

The biggest moment of the NHL season is just a week away for the Seattle Kraken. No, it’s not the start of a playoff push – that has long been out of the question. Rather, Seattle is a week away from the March 21 NHL trade deadline, which will now be the season’s highlight.

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Kraken general manager Ron Francis will be a seller at this deadline and in some ways should look to trade anything that’s not nailed down. The roster needs to be revamped, and acquiring draft picks, clearing cap space or picking up prospects is the first step in that endeavor.

While all the players are technically on the market, that doesn’t mean they’ll all get moved. The team extended restricted free agent-to-be Jared McCann last week and it’s safe to say he’ll remain as Francis looks to determine his core players moving ahead.

“Obviously, the way season has gone, we’re not gonna make the playoffs,” Francis said a couple of weeks ago. “So, I think at this point, you look at your team, and if there are pieces you want to keep that you believe are core pieces, and then if teams are calling on other pieces, you have to have those discussions and see what the offers are. And if there’s a move that makes sense, then you go ahead and do it.”
With Seattle’s roster what it is, don’t expect a basket full of first-round picks to be available.

But, that doesn’t mean Francis won’t be able to acquire more draft capital or some prospects to add to the depth of the organization, while also freeing up cap space that can be put to use in free agency this summer.

If safe to say players like McCann, Jordan Eberle, Jaden Schwartz, and Yanni Gourde will stay put – although never say never – but here is a look at some of the obvious players who may be traded as well as some less obvious guys who might be worth something.

The obvious Seattle Kraken assets

• Mark Giordano, defense

The Kraken are absolutely shopping their captain and it is a foregone conclusion that he will be moved.

In the last season of a $6.75 million contract, the 38-year-old does not figure in Seattle’s long-term plans so moving on from Giordano now, and getting a return, beats letting him walk for nothing at the end of the year.

Giordano should be attractive to a contending team, and he can chip in offensively, is solid defensively, and is a great leader in the dressing room. Will that bring back a first-round pick or a prospect? That is really the only question here.

There are teams, like the Toronto Maple Leafs, looking for defensive help but there may be other defensemen on the market who might lower Giordano’s worth. Francis agreeing to retain some portion of his cap hit for the rest of the season would certainly help get a better haul back.

He does have a 19-team modified no-trade clause in his contract which muddies the waters a bit, but it won’t be impossible to find a suitor.

• Calle Jarkrok, forward

After a Covid and injury-plagued start, Janrkrok found his legs in December and an argument could be made he’s been the best Kraken since then. His play may also have elevated him past Giordano to being the top trade chip that Francis has.

He’s affordable, playing out a $2 million a year contract, and has a track record of being a secondary scorer. He’ll be attractive to a team in contention and could bring back a late first or second-round pick and possibly a younger prospect.

• Collin Blackwell, forward

Blackwell has found some chemistry on a line with Yanni Gourde and Mason Appleton. The trio has produced of late which makes it tough to lose a guy like Blackwell but he is set to be an unrestricted free agent after the season.

He’s cheap, on a $725,000 a year contract, and would fit in nicely on a team with a strong top-six forward group. His elevated play with Gourde and Appleton is driving the price up.

• Marcus Johansson, forward

Another veteran player that could be an asset to a team looking to make a long playoff run. Johansson has had his moments with the Kraken this year, including two assists and a shootout conversion Saturday in Montreal. He’s been a power-play contributor throughout his career which makes him even more valuable.

Maybe in the mix

• Joonas Donskoi, forward

With only two goals this year, Donskoi may not be the most attractive chip in Francis’ stable but he has a track record of scoring double-digit goals. He’s been on good teams that have made runs and he’s played in a Stanley Cup Final.

Donskoi has struggled to score but has been excellent as a penalty killer and is contributing in other areas for Seattle. That might make him attractive, however, he was placed on the injured reserve last week which makes trading him a little tougher. He’s owed $3.9 million for one more year, next year, so retaining Donskoi would not strap the Kraken.

• Haydn Fleury, defense

It’s always a risk to give up a young defenseman who has some offensive skill but Fleury, for whatever reason, has not been able to get into the lineup consistently. He’s been a healthy scratch for 30 games this season.

Fleury has value and a change of scenery might benefit him. He’s been a good teammate but has commented on how frustrated he is at various times this season. At 25, he could fill in on another team’s blueline.
Carolina moved Fleury at the trade deadline last season and got back a sixth-round draft pick and a journeyman defenseman in Jani Hakanpaa. Is it worth giving up a young player for that?

• Chris Driedger, goalie

Goaltending has been troubling at times for the Seattle Kraken this year and Driedger’s numbers are not as good as they were the year prior with the Florida Panthers. His .886 save percentage doesn’t jump off the page but there is always a market for goalies at the trade deadline.

All that being said, there have been rumors that Seattle has taken some phone calls already. Driedger has a 10-team no-trade clause in his deal which compliments things somewhat but don’t be shocked if the Kraken find a willing partner.

A move would mean that Joey Daccord would have to step into the backup role and audition the remainder of the season to be the NHL backup next year.

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