Insider: Kraken To Deal Forward; 2 Named As Trade Candidates

The Seattle Kraken have a roster construction problem. According to insider Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff, on DFO Rundown Monday morning, the Kraken have too many forwards. Something's gotta give.

They will look, at some point in the next few weeks here, I'm told, to move a forward if everyone stays healthy... The two players that pretty much everyone has circled are Yanni Gourde and Brandon Tanev. Both are pending UFAs.

Gourde has seen his goal production dip in each of his three full seasons in Seattle, from 21 to 14 to 11. This year, he's at zero. Through 13 games. His $5.166 million cap hit expires after six years, at the end of the current season. His ice time is down 2½ minutes per game.

Seravalli adds that several teams have called about Gourde's availability, but, to this point, "the Kraken have rebuffed that and not shown any interest in moving him."

Tanev, with a $3.5 million cap hit, still offers speed and a solid role as a forechecker, while being good for handing out anywhere north of 150 hits over a full season. They might be willing to listen on him, if the offer is right, though they're far from anxious to give him up.

This should all come to bear when it's time for top-pairing defenseman Vince Dunn to come off LTIR. He's eligible as soon as November 12th. Cap space will need to be made.