Two Kraken Originals Are OUT and Our Team Just Got a Whole Lot Tougher

Alright, Seattle, listen up! NHL free agency just kicked off, and the Kraken wasted no time, diving headfirst into building the roster for the 2026-27 season. Day one brought some absolutely massive news: we're officially saying goodbye to two original Kraken players, Jaden Schwartz and Jamie Oleksiak. It's a tough pill to swallow, seeing these guys, who have been here since day one, moving on from the Emerald City.

Saying Goodbye to the OG Kraken

It hurts, but it's true: both Jaden Schwartz and Jamie Oleksiak, who were fixtures on the team from our inaugural 2021-22 season, are headed out. Schwartz, our alternate captain and a forward, signed with the Colorado Avalanche on a three-year deal with a $3.25 million average annual value. He's 34, heading into his 16th NHL season, and last year he put up 26 points, with 11 goals and 15 assists, in 50 games. Oleksiak, our towering 6-foot-7 defenseman, was an expansion draft pick from Dallas. He's 33, entering his 15th NHL season, and he's off to Vancouver on a two-year deal worth $5 million AAV. Last season, Big Rig had 15 points, five goals and 10 assists, along with 112 hits and 106 blocks. Losing two guys who've been here since the start definitely stings, but that's the nature of the beast in free agency.

Hello, Enforcer! And a Skilled Young Gun Locks In

But it's not all goodbyes, folks! The Kraken made some moves to bring in new blood, and one of them is an absolute shocker. We officially inked Curtis Douglas to a two-year deal at $1.25 million AAV. Why is this huge? Douglas, standing at an unbelievable 6-foot-9, is one of the tallest players ever in the NHL! And get this, he proved to be the league's most prolific fighter as a rookie last season, tying for the most fights with 10, even though he only played 43 games. You want toughness? You got it! This dude brings serious grit. We also locked down Mackie Samoskevich, a right wing we just acquired from the Florida Panthers, with a three-year deal at $3.85 million AAV. He's only 23, but he's already got 64 points in 160 combined NHL games, regular season and playoffs. General Manager Jason Botterill is pumped, saying, "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." Speed, skill, and a proven winner, exactly what we need! So, yeah, we lost some legends, but we also brought in a physical force and secured a promising young talent. The roster is definitely changing! There are still some unrestricted free agents like Eeli Tolvanen and Matthew Murray, plus restricted free agents including Jacob Melanson, whose futures are up in the air. As fall approaches, and we get ready for the 2026-27 season, it's going to be wild to see how all these pieces fit together. Get ready, Seattle, because it's going to be a fun ride!

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