Six days and counting until Seattle Kraken defenseman Vince Dunn’s arbitration hearing. While one presumes a deal will get done in advance – a hefty one, generous to the player – it’s not guaranteed.
Know this: If Dunn goes to a hearing and a one-year deal is settled upon via arbitration, there’s a likelihood Dunn heads to unrestricted free agency (UFA) next summer. To suggest otherwise would be to suggest that the deal they can’t get done in the next week will get done during the upcoming season instead. Why?
It’s not as if the team needs to see more from him.
At that point, Dunn would be better off playing out the season and cashing in as a UFA.
That’s not a cynical scenario, it’s just a logical one should the two sides not reach a negotiated long-term agreement prior to July 24th.
We’ve got feelers out to both sides.
Kraken ‘Externship’
The Seattle Kraken announced a unique ‘externship’ opportunity on Tuesday “aimed at educating & engaging high school students in sustainability & environmental justice issues.”
For more info on the program, check out the story here.
Some of the opportunities that come along with the endeavour:
A sustainability tour of Climate Pledge Arena, a Bullitt Center tour (“designed to be the greenest commercial building in the world), a kayak tour with the Duwamish River Community Coalition, a visit to a Seattle Storm game, habitat restoration at Skyway Park, a visit to the University of Washington EarthLab, and exposure to the maritime industry with Sea Potential.
Pacific Division News
He played 576 games for the Calgary Flames, won 305 of them, and finished with an NHL career goals against average of 2.49 and save percentage of .912.
Mikka Kiprusoff, traded to the Alberta club from the San Jose Sharks organization in November 2003 after spending the first five years of his pro career in Sweden and his native Finland, will have his jersey number-34 retired by the Flames.
Wes Gilbertson’s story at the Calgary Sun.
While playing in a whopping 74 games in 2005-’06, “Kipper” won both the William Jennings Trophy for lowest team GAA and the Vezina Trophy as the NHL’s best goalie. He recorded ten shut-outs that season.
Two years earlier, Kiprusoff back-stopped his club to the Stanley Cup Final, losing in seven games to the Tampa Bay Lightning. His GAA that season after the trade with the Sharks in November was 1.77 and his save percentage .933 over 38 games played.
He retired a decade ago.
Another Career Just Begins …
Top overall 2023 NHL Draft pick Connor Bedard signed his three-year, entry-level deal with the Chicago Blackhawks on Monday, his 18th birthday.
“Being drafted by an Original Six team has been such a surreal experience and I couldn’t be more thrilled to be a part of this team’s future,” Bedard stated. “The Blackhawks organization and the city of Chicago have such a rich sports history and I’m honored to be a part of it.”
Ben Pope in the Chicago Sun Times.
NHL Deals
Former Tampa Bay Lightning Stanley Cup champion Ross Colton — he had the Game-5, Cup clincher in 2021 against the Montreal Canadiens — just signed a four-year contract with the Colorado Avalanche. He’ll earn $4-million per season.
The Bolts traded Colton to the Av’s this June 28th.
The 26-year-old restricted free agent (RFA) avoided a salary arbitration hearing that was scheduled for July 27th. He’s coming off a 16 goal, 16 assist season with the Lightning in 2022-’23.
— Alex Galchenyuk, whom we reported on last week, has entered the NHL/NHLPA’s player assistance program. The Arizona Coyotes terminated the forward’s contract last Friday after Galchenyuk faced multiple arrest charges following an incident in Scottsdale.
Recent Kraken:
— Kraken Sign 1st-rounder Eduard Sale
— Seattle Kraken of the Future: Ryan Winterton
— Kraken Radio Man Leaving
