Report: Trade Market For Kraken's Brandon Tanev Heating Up

Seattle Kraken forward Brandon Tanev is one of the NHL's top trade candidates heading into the 2025 NHL trade deadline. With Tanev being a pending unrestricted free agent and the Kraken not holding a playoff spot, the expectation is that he will be traded by next week.

Now, Tanev's trade market is reportedly starting to heat up. According to NHL insider Pierre LeBrun, Tanev is drawing interest from both contenders and playoff-hopeful teams.

LeBrun also noted that Tanev's preference is to go to an "upper-echelon contender" but noted that this could change if he hits the free agent market on July 1.

It is understandable that both legitimate contenders and teams fighting for a playoff spot are interested in Tanev. The 33-year-old forward is exactly the kind of bottom-six forward that playoff teams love to have, as he plays a heavy game and provides plenty of energy. In addition, he can kill penalties and has plenty of experience, which adds to his appeal.

In 58 games this season with the Kraken, Tanev has nine goals, 17 points, and 117 hits. This is after he had seven goals, 16 points, 148 hits, and a plus-2 rating in 66 games with the Kraken this past season.

It will be fascinating to see what ends up happening between Tanev and the Kraken, but a trade certainly seems likely at this stage.