Seattle Kraken General Manager Ron Francis decided not to upset the apple cart; the chemistry and identity that has brought the franchise close to their first playoff trip.
“We look at both what’s right for our organization and our team now, and moving forward as we try to build this from the ground up,” Francis told reporters in a post-trade deadline media availability. “Today we believe in the group we had and didn’t think there were prices we were willing to pay at this point to change that chemistry that we have in the locker room currently.”
The lone move prior to the deadline was the Seattle Kraken adding big defenseman Jaycob Megna from the San Jose Sharks for a conditional 4th-round NHL Draft pick back on February 5th. The inexpensive addition, $762,000 for another season, was a depth move for a bottom pair/extra D-man. Megna and Cale Fleury would presently be the ‘next men up’ should injuries arise.
“Jaycob’s a big, solid defending defenseman who gives us more depth, we were a little concerned with maybe our lack of depth on the blueline,” Francis said. “Especially with (Gustav) Olofsson hurt down there (AHL), he’s just coming back, he broke his leg about seven weeks ago, so that was part of that, just making sure we had that protection moving forward. He’s (Jaycob) got a year left on his contract at a real strong number so he’s a good piece.”
Keeping It Seattle Kraken
Seattle Hockey Insider asked head coach Dave Hakstol and a couple of Seattle Kraken players last week about the prospects of bringing someone in to give the team a boost for the playoff run, and although open minded, all supported the present group they had in the room. They believed in the identity and the chemistry and it’s obvious Francis does as well, at least to the point where he wasn’t ready to do anything too costly to upset things.
The Seattle Kraken play Friday evening against the Columbus Blue Jackets, the team with the fewest points in the National Hockey League. A win would put the 3rd place Pacific Division Kraken at 76 points and in the thick of the race for a division title. More importantly, it would move them further ahead of the west’s non-playoff teams and closer to realizing their goal of a playoff spot.
A 13-and-8 record the rest of way would earn the Seattle Kraken a 100 point season.
