NHL Rumors: 3 Seattle Kraken Free-Agent Targets

Seattle Kraken general manager Ron Francis is going big-fish hunting this summer as the team looks to make a major improvement in their second season. The Kraken prioritized cap space when they selected players through the expansion draft and now we wait to see if they can capitalize on some talent from the open market. Here's three impact players the Kraken would love to add this summer:

Johnny Gaudreau

The Calgary Flames have been confident throughout the season that they'd get a deal done with Johnny Gaudreau but to this point, no deal. As we get closer to the July 13 free-agency period, the chances of the Flames winger heading back to Calgary diminish by the day. There's going to be a ton of interest in the shifty winger after he put up a career season of 115 points in 82 games. The Kraken will be one of the more aggressive teams and may overpay if it means they land an elite playmaker who scored 40 goals last season.

Nazem Kadri

The Colorado Avalanche are going to be in tough to re-sign Nazem Kadri as he's made it known he's after the money. You can't blame him for cashing in as much as possible as the pesky forward had a career season, in a contract year, topped off with a Stanley Cup.

The Kraken need help up front and a center like Kadri is the perfect type of player who is going to battle and leave it all on the line for the organization. He's a bit of a risk just due to the fact his numbers may have been inflated from playing in Colorado, but regardless, expect to see the Kraken make a huge offer to try and land this big fish.

John Klingberg

The Kraken are missing a power-play quarterback and may have the perfect candidate in John Klingberg. The Stars blueliner admitted during the season he didn't feel appreciated in Dallas after the team low-balled him with an extension offer mid-season. He picked up his pouty lip and went out and produced in the second half of the season, finishing with 47 points in 74 games.

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He'd be a great fit in Seattle and they certainly would love to add him to their mix. All three of the players mentioned have been linked to the Kraken, and while they may not be able to land all three, getting two signed seems reasonable. Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman had this to say on the Kraken's outlook this summer:

The Kraken are expected to be very busy over the next few weeks. This was a disappointing season, and nobody wants a repeat. They took a long look at Fiala, but Seattle, still building its prospect base, wisely decided against matching what Los Angeles could do. The Kraken don’t have the capital to be trading a top prospect and the fourth overall selection. There are going to be a lot of rumours: Johnny Gaudreau, Nazem Kadri, John Klingberg, etc. They’re going to be aggressive.