The Seattle Kraken re-signed physical forward John Hayden to a two-year contract extension; the deal announced on Wednesday.
The 6-foot-3, 227-pounder brings a physical element to the line-up which includes the ability and willingness to drop the mitts. Not a bad thing considering the Kraken is a club looking to establish an identity and team toughness is an important factor.
It’s an utterly safe play. The 30-year-old Chicago native doesn’t set the franchise back at all. He’ll earn a minimum $775,000 annual salary for two years. The NHL salary cap is rising to above $95-million for next season and Seattle has plenty of room to maneuver.
In 20 NHL games last season Hayden chipped in just a single goal and an assist along the way, usually as an injury replacement. In 44 games with the Coachella Valley Firebirds in the American Hockey League, the right-shot graduate of Yale University added 27 points.
“John has been an important player in our organization over the past three seasons, making an impact at both the NHL and AHL level,” Seattle GM Jason Botterill said in a statement. “He’s a strong leader who brings a terrific work ethic and physical presence.”
It’s a depth move for Seattle, a team that looking to get busy on the trade market and potentially in free agency. That’ll all happen after they name their new head coach.
— Earlier this week Seattle announced the signing of 2022 4th-round draft pick Tyson Jugnauth to a three-year, two-way, entry-level contract. The lefty played 65 games for the Portland Winterhawks in the Western Hockey League this past season and was named that circuit’s defenseman of the year.
