Seattle Kraken 2025 Off-Season Additions And Subtractions: Player Edition
A look back at the roster additions and subtractions your Seattle Kraken made in preparation for the ‘25 - ‘26 season
By Miracle Lucketti, edited by Charles Hamaker
Seattle, WA - In what one can only assume was a complete and total commitment to the bit, our Seattle Kraken kicked off their off-season acquisitions by adding to their center depth - and boy, did it get deep. Two new centers were added, raising the total to five rostered players at the center position; but with the potential of a Berkly Catton call-up, one could argue that number should be increased to six. Additional players were acquired and a few moved out, of course, but for at least a minute, it was fun to imagine an entire NHL team comprised of only centers. Kraken management spoke extensively of their plan to use the off-season as an opportunity to improve their roster in hopes of becoming a more consistent playoff-contending team; though the moves they made this off-season garnered mixed reactions from fans as to whether they’d done enough to achieve that lofty goal.
Here’s a look back at the moves the Kraken made this off-season in preparation for the ‘25 - ‘26 season as training camp draws near:
The Additions
Mason Marchment - 6'5", 212lbs, 30-years-old, Left Wing
Marchment comes to Seattle from the Dallas Stars in exchange for a 2025 fourth-round pick and a 2026 third-round pick. Mason, affectionately known as “Mush”- a nickname he inherited from his father, late NHL defenseman Bryan Marchment, is in year three of his four-year deal. The left winger finished the ‘24 - ‘25 season with 22 goals and 25 assists for a total of 47 points. Along with his gritty and unorthodox skating style, Marchment brings some much-needed strength and net-front presence to this Kraken team. Marchment isn’t afraid to get down in the corners where he often wins puck battles, and once he’s gotten possession of the puck, it’s difficult to get it away from him. Along with his ability to finish chances and park himself in front of the net, one of Mason’s specialties is agitating his opponents. He’s yet to meet a penalty box he didn’t love- racking up an impressive 258 penalty minutes over 302 career games. Marchment doesn’t shy away from a fight, often instigating them with little provocation when necessary to rally the team. Beloved by fans and players alike, Marchment has a reputation for being a “popular and likable guy,” according to former Panthers teammate Sam Reinhart. Reinhart added, “He’s going to be himself no matter what, and guys are drawn to that.” Marchment’s feisty-but-effective style should be a welcome addition to a Kraken roster that’s struggled to generate offense consistently in three of their four years as a team, and though it’s painful to even imagine, should the Kraken need to move him ahead of this year's deadline, Marchment is in a contract year.
Dallas Stars forward Mason Marchment tries a shot on goal against Seattle Kraken goaltender Joey Daccord during a game on March 30th, 2024 at Climate Pledge Arena. (Photo by Liz Wolter for Circling Seattle Sports)
Frederick Gaudreau - 6'0”, 184lbs, 32-years-old, Center
Gaudreau joins Seattle from the Minnesota Wild in exchange for a 2025 fourth-round pick. Gaudreau is in the penultimate year of his five-year contract, making him an unrestricted free agent at the end of the ‘27 - ‘28 season. The center finished the ‘24 - ‘25 season with 18 goals and 19 assists for a total of 37 points. In his 82 regular-season games with the Wild last season, Gaudreau set a career high in faceoff wins (529), power-play goals (5), and blocked shots (61). The Kraken get a versatile player in Gaudreau, whose reputation of putting the team first precedes him. He brings a strong defensive game, as well as his offensive skillset as a playmaker to provide scoring opportunities. Special teams, an area in which the Kraken are always looking to improve, as they’ve struggled to field a consistently solid power play unit or penalty kill, could benefit from slotting Gaudreau in comfortably on a second unit and instructing him to draw on his defensive abilities to create scoring chances. General Manager Jason Botterill and Gaudreau himself have spoken of the centerman’s strong locker room presence, making him an ideal candidate for the Kraken to look to to help set that foundation of a winning culture they’ve been searching for. Gaudreau was often vocal about his passion for inclusion as a member of the Wild. He was a key factor in helping the team start an annual fundraiser each year, and even took over the host’s role of an annual hockey diversity camp from former Wild teammate Matt Dumba. Gaudreau often does his own charity work, as well, to raise funds for research about Down Syndrome. The cause has a more personal connection to his family, as Gaudreau’s nephew was born with the syndrome. Gaudreau encouraged his former Wild teammates to get involved by inviting them to participate in World Down Syndrome Day, and they showed up, wearing mismatched socks (and goalie pads!) to signify the mismatch of an extra chromosome that is present in Down Syndrome.
Ryan Lindgren - 6’0”, 194lbs, 27 years old, Defense
Lindgren comes to the Kraken from the Colorado Avalanche. The defensemen inked a four-year contract, marking him as Seattle’s through the end of the ‘28 - ‘29 season and reuniting him with former Rangers teammate Kaapo Kakko, whom he calls a “really, really good friend”. He finished the ‘24 - ‘25 season with 4 goals, 18 assists, and 22 points. Lindgren brings a self-described “physical, old-school” style of defense to the Kraken team. The defenseman is a strong shot blocker and a key fixture on the penalty kill, an area in which the Kraken struggled during past seasons. The ‘24 - ‘25 season set a career high for Lindgren in assists (18) and points (22) and tied his personal best in goals (4) in 72 regular-season games. Lindgren also brings a strong work ethic to the Kraken locker room- strong enough to have been awarded the Players’ Player Award twice (‘20 - ‘21 & ‘22 - ‘23), which is given annually to the Ranger who, as selected by his teammates, “best exemplifies what it means to be a team player” as well as the Steven McDonald Extra Effort Award, awarded annually to the Ranger who, as chosen by the fans, "goes above and beyond the call of duty” in ‘22 - ‘23.
New York Rangers defenseman Ryan Lindgren (#55) lays a hit on Seattle Kraken forward Andre Burakovsky (#95) during a game on November 17th, 2024 at Climate Pledge Arena. (Photos by Kevin Ng for Circling Seattle Sports)
Matt Murray - 6’5”, 220lbs, 31 years old, Goalie
Murray joins the Kraken from the Toronto Maple Leafs, signing on for a one-year contract. After recovering from bilateral hip surgery that forced him to miss the entirety of the ‘23 - ‘24 season, Murray returned to play and spent the majority of the ‘24 - ‘25 season in the AHL with the Toronto Marlies, where he posted a 10-5-4 record, with a 1.72 goals-against average, .934 save percentage, and three shutouts in his 21 appearances. In the veteran goaltender, the Kraken receive a player with the ability to quickly read the ice, scan, and anticipate game play, as well as make split-second decisions efficiently. Murray is a two-time Stanley Cup Champion (2016 and 2017 with the Pittsburgh Penguins) with a proven track record of reliability. With the Kraken crease covered by Grubauer and Daccord, the young Firebirds goaltenders (Victor Östman and Nikke Kokko) will benefit immensely from a storied player like Murray’s mentorship.
The Extensions
Ben Meyers (C) signed a one-year contract extension, making him a Seattle Kraken through the end of the ‘25 - ‘26 season. Meyers proved himself to be a valuable depth forward up the middle, playing 57 games for AHL affiliate Coachella Valley Firebirds and filling in for the Kraken at the NHL level in eight games last season. His extension allows for a more veteran presence at the AHL level and a proven, reliable call-up when needed at the NHL level.
John Hayden (C/RW), Josh Mahura (D), Tye Kartye (C/LW), Ryker Evans (D), and Cale Fleury (D) all signed two-year contract extensions, making them members of the Kraken through end of the ‘26 - ‘27 season.
Kraken fans have enjoyed getting to see Hayden’s personality shine on and off the ice, and a two-year extension will allow that to continue while benefitting the team at both the AHL and NHL levels.
Mahura was a fun depth defenseman signing last off-season, and keeping him paired with fellow Stanley Cup Champion Brandon Montour has served us well, particularly once a Will Borgen-sized hole was left after the trade to New York last season.
Kartye is a young player hungry to prove himself and his worth; a two-year extension feels like the perfect amount of time for him to do that or for the Kraken to make the difficult decision to move on from him.
Though he has shown potential in the past, Evans’ game struggled last year. This two-year extension feels like a sweet spot for him to potentially find his footing and get back to that level of play previously shown.
Fleury has done well during his time in the AHL and has been ping-ponged back and forth between the two leagues in the past; a two-year extension could be the push needed for him to fight for a more permanent spot on the NHL roster.
Jake O'Brien, the Kraken’s first-round pick at the 2025 NHL draft, signed a three-year entry-level contract during development camp, and Kaapo Kakko signed a three-year extension, making them members of the Seattle Kraken through the end of the ’27 - ‘28 season.
While O’Brein won’t be making his NHL debut this season, a contract signing directly out of development camp is a massive sign of faith that the Kraken organization expects him sooner rather than later. The 6’2”, 177-pound forward set career highs across the scoresheet last season in the OHL with the Brantford Bulldogs, recording 98 points in 66 regular-season games.
Kakko signed a heavily anticipated extension just days before he and Seattle were set to go to an arbitration hearing, prompting the entire city of Seattle to exhale in relief. Kakko’s impact was especially visible when playing on a line with center Matty Beniers, whose game went on to bounce-back to the tune of 21-goals. Kakko finished with the team’s second-highest points total from the time of his December 18th, 2024 acquisition, was third in assists and power play goals, and sixth in goals.
The Subtractions
Andre Burakovsky was traded to the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for Joe Veleno, allowing the Kraken to free up the $27.5 million used for Burakovsky’s contract. The Kraken later bought out Veleno’s contract, allowing him to sign with the Montreal Canadiens.
Mikey Eyssimont became an unrestricted free agent and signed with the Boston Bruins.
With all these moves locked in and official, the Kraken are left with $4,599,287 in cap space to start the season.
Overall, it would appear that Kraken management and coaching staff are hoping that the addition of a few new roster pieces, combined with plenty of internal development from a fresh, new, coaching staff with different perspectives will be the key to a better (and ideally longer) Kraken season. Will it be enough to help them make a playoff push? Time will tell, but Coach Lambert and his staff will certainly have no shortage of things to work on at the upcoming training camp!
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