Kraken Could Trade For Top Line Scorer In Offseason

The Seattle Kraken had a major decline from last season to 2023-24 because they didn't get as much depth scoring. Asking for a team to score at a great pace from all four lines is unrealistic and won't happen very often in a salary cap NHL.

The Kraken need some legitimate high-end scoring help since even the top players didn't repeat their offensive performances. You can argue that the team has just 1-3 forwards that have even scored at a top-six rate this season, so Devan Dubnyk, former NHL goalie, said "you kind of need it (top line scorer). It was fun to watch them score by committee, but I don't think that's a sustainable thing every year." He would be right as there has been a lot less scoring from different players and the Kraken sit outside of a playoff spot this season.

This fix wasn't going to come at the trade deadline, but rather the offseason when more teams may be willing to make a larger deal to move a scorer. Young and talented players like Matty Beniers and Shane Wright still need to develop, but they also need some help. This team isn't very far away from becoming a threat, and adding another piece for a number of years can help that progress faster and even better.

The Kraken have draft capital and prospects to be able to get someone that can have an impact in the top-six as soon as next season, whether that be a player like Trevor Zegras or someone else that has been rumored from the St. Louis Blues in Jordan Kyrou. It doesn't have to be a young player. Even a veteran like Vladimir Tarasenko could be a big help if he wants to come in free agency. But I think the more likely scenario is that the Kraken will try to make a trade for some help, but not package too much of the future to do so.