Seattle Kraken Adds Adam Larsson to 4-Year Contract – Hockey Writers – News & Rumors

The Seattle Kraken continues to be one of the biggest spenders in the 2024 offseason even in its later stages. They gave 31-year-old defenseman Adam Larsson a four-year extension at an average annual value of $5.25 million (AAV), taking him through the 2028-29 season.

Hearing Adam Larsson's extension with Seattle will be 4x$5.25M when completed.

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) September 10, 2024

Larsson isn't a game changer, but he can eat up minutes and provide solid ice production. In Kraken history, starting in 2021-22, no defenseman has more ice time on the power play or penalty kill. He recorded more than 140 hits and blocks throughout the season as a member of the team, posting a 76-point and 10-plus rebound average, as well.

While not great statistically, it would be a noticeable loss without Larsson on the roster. He's proven to be a good defensive partner for Vince Dunn, with a 51.7 expected field goal percentage (xGF%) next to the 31-year-old Swedish defenseman and a plus-34 rating at even strength since 2021-22. In Dunn's non-Larsson minutes, he held a 46.7 xGF% and a minus-4 rating as a member of the Kraken.

While Seattle missed the playoffs last season, they were one win away from the 2023 Western Conference Final. They've consistently been one of the best defensive teams in the league, boasting the NHL's fifth-highest expected goals-against total since 2021-22—keeping that ownership strong seems like a must, especially for a team that could return to the postseason. in 2024-25.

Can Seattle Use Hurt You In The Long Term?

The contract price here is fair if not discounted. But the way Seattle spends money can be a problem in the future if you're not careful. This team has a lot of young talent but has long-term contracts for older players.

This season alone, the Krakens offered this contract to Larsson, but also seven-year deals to 30-year-old Brandon Montour ($7.14 million) and Chandler Stephenson ($6.25 million AAV). Seattle isn't wrong about disintegrating following a disappointing 81-point campaign in 2023-24, but they could be left with a shrinking cap space when their young players seek big money.

As for the youth, it seems that the Kraken are in a really good place. In the middle, Shane Wright and Matty Beniers could be the team's long-term favorites down the middle—they're only 20 and 21 years old, respectively, and have great upside. They are not yet in their prime, but the two inspire hope for the future.

And they are not the only ones. Newly drafted Berkly Catton has been at his best in the first line, 20-year-old midfielder Jani Nyman has been popular in the Liiga (Finland's top league) with 43 points in 48 contests, and 19-year-old winger old Carson Rehkopf was one of the players. leading scorer in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) with 95 points in 60 games. There's more—the future is bright here.

But the Kraken are in a unique position because they pay older players for a long time but also have this incentive pool. If they're not careful, this could lead to problems—general manager Ron Francis will have to keep that in mind going forward.

Seattle finds itself in a competitive Western Conference with some recent success, a potential roster, and an elite group of young players either on the current roster or in the program. The signing of Larsson locks in a key player so that the up-and-comers have something to work with. Most likely, they will spend their prime years with good support instead of a list that has no chance to compete.

Statistics courtesy of Natural Stat Trick