Seattle Lost Two Inaugural Stars, And We Just Signed a 6-Foot-9 Enforcer Nobody's Ready For

Holy smokes, Seattle, NHL free agency just kicked off, and the Kraken are making moves that are gonna have us all talking at T-Mobile Park. We’re waving goodbye to two absolute original Kraken players, Jaden Schwartz and Jamie Oleksiak, but also bringing in some serious muscle and locking down a promising talent for the 2026-27 season.

Saying Goodbye to Our Day-One Dudes

Can you believe it? Two of our most well-known Kraken originals are gone. Jaden Schwartz, our alternate captain and one of the first guys we signed out of free agency before our inaugural 2021-22 season, is reportedly heading to the Colorado Avalanche. He’s inked a three-year deal with an average annual value of $3.25 million. Schwartz, 34, put up 26 points, with 11 goals and 15 assists, in 50 games last season. The guy spent his first ten seasons with the St. Louis Blues and is entering his 16th NHL season. It’s tough to see him go, especially as an original.

Then there’s our big man, Jamie Oleksiak. The 6-foot-7 defenseman, who was an expansion draft pick from Dallas, has also been with the Kraken since day one. Oleksiak, 33, just signed a two-year deal with Vancouver for a $5 million average annual value. He had 15 points last season, with five goals and ten assists, plus he dished out 112 hits and blocked 106 shots. That’s a lot of toughness walking out the door. He’s entering his 15th NHL season. It's wild to think about our blue line without him.

New Blood and a Bruiser for the Emerald City Ice

Alright, so we lost some legends, but the Kraken are not sitting still! We just announced a two-year deal with Curtis Douglas, and this dude is a force. At 6 foot 9, he's one of the tallest players ever to hit NHL ice. He immediately proved himself as the most prolific fighter in the league as a rookie last season, tying for the most fights by any single player with 10, even though he only played 43 games. He’s coming in at a $1.25 million average annual value. You gotta be excited about that kind of presence on the ice!

And check this out, remember that trade for Mackie Samoskevich from the Florida Panthers late last month? We just locked him down! The 23-year-old right wing signed a three-year deal with a $3.85 million average annual value. Our GM Jason Botterill said, "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." Samoskevich already has 64 points in 160 combined NHL games, regular season and playoffs. That’s the kind of offensive punch we need!

So, we said goodbye to two foundational players, but we’re bringing in a certified tough guy and locking in some offensive skill. The Kraken still have some work to do, with guys like Eeli Tolvanen, Matthew Murray, Gustav Olofsson, Mitchell Stephens, and Max McCormick as unrestricted free agents. Plus, restricted free agents Victor Ostman, Ville Ottavainen, and Jacob Melanson are still out there. It’s going to be a wild offseason, and I can't wait to see what else GM Botterill has up his sleeve as we get ready for the 2026-27 season. Get ready, 12s, it's gonna be a ride!

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