Kraken welcome new faces for Season 2

As expected, the Seattle Kraken were active on the first day of free-agent signings as the National Hockey League off-season gets into full swing.

Former Colorado Avalanche Andre Burakovsky was the big catch for the second-year club, signing a five-year, $27.5 million contract with the Seattle Kraken on Wednesday. The contract has an average annual value of $5.5 million.

Burakovsky, who also played on the Stanley Cup champion Washington Capitals in 2018, had NHL career highs in goals (22), assists (39) and points (61) in 80 games with the Colorado Avalanche last season. He also had eight points (three goals, five assists) in 12 Stanley Cup Playoff games, helping the Avalanche win the Cup for the first time since 2001.

“Andre brings offensive skill and creativity to our forward group,” Seattle general manager Ron Francis said. “He has won two Stanley Cups, has good size and has been a very productive offensive contributor. We are excited he is signing with us.”

Burakovsky should be a top-six forward along with Shane Wright, the team’s number-one pick (fourth overall and the top-ranked North American amateur) who scored 93 points for Kingston of the Ontario Hockey League.

“Andre brings offensive skill and creativity to our forward group,” Seattle general manager Ron Francis said. “He has won two Stanley Cups, has good size and has been a very productive offensive contributor. We are excited he is signing with us.

On a day when the Kraken officially signed Wright, Seattle signed two other players expected to contribute to the big club this season – defenseman Justin Schultz and veteran goaltender Martin Jones.

“Justin is a dependable, right-shot defenseman that will help balance out our blueline,” said Francis. “He brings a veteran presence and we’re happy to welcome him to Seattle.”

Schultz signed a two-year contract (averaging $3 million) with the Kraken. This past season he totaled 23 points (four goals, 19 assists) in 74 regular-season games for the Washington Capitals, ranking third among Caps’ defensemen in scoring. The 32-year-old has recorded 264 points (57 goals, 207 assists) in 602 career regular-season games over the course of 10 NHL seasons (2012-13 to 2021-22) with the Edmonton Oilers, Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals.

The Kraken signed Jones to a one-year contract ($2 million average). Jones posted a 12-18-3 record with a 3.42 goals-against average and a .900 save percentage in 35 games (33 starts) with the Philadelphia Flyers in 2021-22. It marked the sixth time in nine campaigns that he has recorded a save percentage of .900 or higher.

“Martin is a veteran who has a wealth of experience and adds competition to our goaltending group,” said Francis. “He has had success at every level he has played, and we are looking forward to adding him to our team.”

In 396 career NHL games with Philadelphia, the San Jose Sharks and Los Angeles Kings, the native of North Vancouver, British Columbia, has compiled a 198-150-32 record with a 2.68 goals-against average, a .907 save percentage and 25 shutouts. He was named an NHL All-Star in 2016-17 with San Jose, In 62 career Stanley Cup Playoff games with San Jose and Los Angeles, Jones has recorded a record of 32-27 along with a 2.37 goals-against average, a .917 save percentage and six shutouts. He helped San Jose reach the 2016 Stanley Cup Final and served as the backup for Los Angeles for its 2014 championship.

Burakovsky and Schultz should see plenty of ice time in the Emerald City while Jones is slated to backup starting goalie Philip Grubauer. Chris Driedger, Seattle’s other goalie a year ago, tore his right ACL playing for Team Canada during the IIHF World Championship and is expected to be sidelined for seven to nine months. Driedger was operated on June 7 and will be sidelined for most of the 2022-23 campaign at a minimum. Joey D’Accord also saw action in the nets for Seattle, but most likely the Kraken want D’Accord to play regularly for their Coachella Valley AHL franchise as opposed to being an occasional backup to Grubauer.

Last season, the Kraken shared an American Hockey League affiliate- the Charlotte Checkers – with the Florida Panthers. Dan Bylsma, an assistant coach with the Checkers, steps in as the first-ever Coachella Valley head coach. Bylsma was named an interim head coach with the Pittsburgh Penguins late in the 2014 season and the team went on to win the Stanley Cup.

Players who split time between Seattle and Charlotte a year ago, and could do the same this season, include forwards Karson Kuhlman, former Seattle Thunderbird Alexander True, and Max McCormick. Defenseman Ryker Evans, the Kraken’s second round pick in 2021, is also slated to play for Coachella but could make the parent team sometime next season.

Here’s a look at some other players who’ll skate for the Firebirds this season. One-way contracts are for players expected to compete in just the AHL; two-way contracts mean the player will receive more money if he’s called up to the NHL.

Forward Cameron Hughes ($762,500 AAV, two-way), has spent most of the last five seasons with the AHL Providence Bruins. He’s recorded 113 points (38 goals, 75 assists) in 194 career AHL games. He played for Kraken head coach Dave Hakstol at the University of North Dakota and for Kraken assistant Jay Leach in Providence.

Forward Austin Poganski ($750,000, two-way) split the 2021-22 season with the Winnipeg Jets (NHL) and Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League (AHL). He appeared in 16 games with the Jets and added nine goals and 21 assists in 49 games with Winnipeg’s top affiliate. And

Forward Andrew Poturalski ($762,500 AAV, one-way). split the 2021-22 season between the Carolina Hurricanes and the Chicago Wolves, their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate. He led the Wolves in both points and assists, and his 28 goals were the second-most on the team en route to winning the John B. Sollenberger Trophy as the AHL’s top scorer.

Goaltender Magnus Hellberg signed a one-year contract ($750,000 AAV). The Swedish netminder has spent the last five seasons (2017-18 to 2021-22) in the Soviet Union’s Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) KHL, compiling an 81-64-14 record with a .927 save percentage. Prior to that, he played in the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) and the AHL. He’s played in five NHL games with the Detroit Red Wings, Nashville Predators and New York Rangers.

Right wing Jesper Froden signed a two-way contract ($750,000 AAV).He split the 2021-22 season between the Boston Bruins and the Providence Bruins, marking his first season playing in North America. He scored one goal in seven games with Boston and had 34 points (16 goals, 18 assists) in 49 contests in Providence. Prior to that, he spent two years playing professionally in Sweden.

Defenseman Brogan Rafferty to a one-year, two-way contract ($750,000 AAV). Rafferty, 27, spent the 2021-22 season with the San Diego Gulls (AHL), and recorded 24 points (four goals, 20 assists) in 65 games. He played college hockey at Quinnipiac College in Connecticut.

The Firebirds will play at the 10,000 seat Acrisure Arena which is currently under construction. Coachella Valley will hold its pre-season camp in Seattle with the parent club. The Coachella Valley includes the Southern California cities of Palm Springs, Desert Hot Springs, Cathedral City, Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, Indian Wells, La Quinta, Indio, and Coachella.