Our Kraken Are Saying Goodbye to Their First Stars, And No One In the League Is Ready For What's Next.

Alright, 12s, buckle up, because NHL free agency just slapped us with some hard truths and some wild new potential. Day one of free agency on Wednesday was a whirlwind, and the biggest news hitting T-Mobile Park hard is that two of our original Kraken, guys who’ve been here since Day 1, are moving on. Jaden Schwartz and Jamie Oleksiak, who have worn the deep sea blue since the inaugural 2021-22 season, are officially heading elsewhere. Talk about a gut punch to the Emerald City faithful.

The Original Kraken Wave Goodbye

Let's be real, seeing Jaden Schwartz go hurts. Our alternate captain, a guy who joined us as a free agent before we even had our first game, is reportedly off to the Colorado Avalanche on a three-year deal worth $3.25 million AAV. Schwartz, 34, put up 26 points last season, with 11 goals and 15 assists in 50 games. He’s been in the league for 16 seasons, with his first 10 rocking St. Louis threads, and he was a foundational piece for us. We'll miss that veteran presence. And then there's Jamie Oleksiak. Our 6-foot-7 defenseman, a true expansion draft pick from Dallas, also played every season with us. The 33-year-old Big Rig is now headed to Vancouver, signing a two-year deal with a $5 million AAV. Last season, Oleksiak was a force, racking up 15 points (five goals, 10 assists), plus a whopping 112 hits and 106 blocks. He’s entering his 15th NHL season. Losing two inaugural Kraken? It feels like the end of an era, no doubt.

Welcome to Seattle, Curtis Douglas and Mackie Samoskevich!

But hey, you know our Kraken. We don’t sit still. While we’re saying goodbye to some legends, we’re also making some seriously exciting moves. First up: welcome Curtis Douglas! This guy is a certified unit. At 6-foot-9, he’s one of the tallest players to ever hit NHL ice, and the Kraken just locked him down on a two-year deal worth $1.25 million AAV. And get this: as a rookie last season, he tied for the most fights in the entire NHL with 10, despite only playing 43 games. The league's most prolific fighter is now in Seattle! You want toughness? We just got it. And that's not all! The Kraken officially signed restricted free agent Mackie Samoskevich to a three-year deal with a $3.85 million AAV. We just traded for him from the Florida Panthers last month, and now he’s ours. The 23-year-old right wing already has 64 points in 160 combined NHL regular season and playoff games. Our GM Jason Botterill said it best: "We’re very happy to have Mackie officially signed with the team for three years. He’s a proven winner who is skilled and brings speed and scoring ability to our group. We’re excited to get to work with him in the fall." We're adding speed, skill, and a whole lot of grit, folks! So, yeah, it stings to see Schwartz and Oleksiak go. They were here from the jump. But with Douglas bringing that unmatched physicality and Samoskevich adding skill and speed, our Kraken are clearly shaking things up. There are still some remaining free agents out there, like Eeli Tolvanen and Matthew Murray, but it’s clear our front office is building something different for the 2026-27 season. Keep your eyes peeled, Seattle, because this new-look Kraken roster is just getting started, and you know we’ll be loud for them every step of the way.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.