Kraken Depth
Next! Josh Mahura.
A few days after re-signing forward John Hayden, the Seattle Kraken have inked defenseman Josh Mahura to a new two-year deal. He’ll be paid a little more than $907,000 for each of the next two seasons.
Like with Hayden, it’s not earth shattering, it’s certainly not expensive, but it keeps aboard a very useful depth blueliner in this case, one whose ice time and responsibilities continue to grow. Mahura played 64 games for the Kraken last season and he registered nine assists.
In a perfect world, on a Stanley Cup champion, he’s a 7th defenseman. That was the case last season when his Florida Panthers won it all, along with his current Kraken teammate Brandon Montour. Mahura played 30 regular season games for the Panthers last season, but none in the playoffs. Despite that, his name is etched on the Cup.
The previous season, when the Cats lost the Final to the Vegas Golden Knights, Mahura was the 6th d-man, playing in all 82 regular season games and 21 playoff matches. The experience and the confidence gained is invaluable.
For a team still getting things together, Mahura is the perfect, versatile, bottom pair guy with some potential upside at age-27. In other words, he’s either found, or is truly finding his game.
“Josh was an important addition to our blueline last season,” Seattle GM Jason Botterill said in a media statement. “He plays an honest, physical game and rounded out our group of defensemen. He’s also a great teammate. We’re excited to bring him back for another two years.”
Seattle is taking care of business at the “bottom” of the line-up, dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s ahead of what should be a busy free agent and trade season for them. The true test of where this roster is headed will unfold over the next five weeks.
