NHL Trade Rumors: Kraken's Brandon Tanev Becoming Trade Candidate

Seattle Kraken forward Brandon Tanev is now in the final season of his six-year deal with a $3.5 million cap hit. That's a lot of money for a fourth-liner, but after a rough season offensively in 2023-24, the 32-year-old has shown some ability to be a nice secondary scorer in the bottom six—witness his 16 goals and 35 points the season prior.

Should the Kraken be looking to trade Tanev before he hits unrestricted free agency next summer?

According to insider Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet, he noted in his 32 Thoughts column this week that "there’s interest in him. That’s one to watch."

Tanev plays a 200-foot, physical game, and last season handed out 148 hits in 66 games. He has topped the 200-hit mark twice in his career and come close on two other occasions.

Perhaps the thing Seattle fans will miss the most about Tanev if he does indeed move on, is the legend of his official headshot.

The eerie mystery behind Brandon Tanev’s headshot finally solved pic.twitter.com/FzmxpT33Nz
— Spittin' Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) July 22, 2021

The crowd here at the X audibly reacted to Brandon Tanev's headshot when it was shown up on the video board. If you've seen it you know why
— Seth Toupal (@sethtoups) October 13, 2024

Tanev finished last season with just seven goals and 16 points in 66 games in 14:35 of ice time, but still managed to finish with a plus/minus rating in the positive, at +2, while still delivering some punishment to the opposition.