What Trade Deadline Goal Should Kraken Be Shooting At, Anyway?

That freight train you hear in the distance is the March 8 Trade Deadline Express chugging closer with each passing day.

As our latest Playoff Tracker shows , the Seattle Kraken are tantalizingly close to a playoff spot, while knowing only one of a handful of contenders will elbow their way into the final Western Conference wild card.

Headline, From Dan Rosen at NHL.com:

"It's too early for the Kraken to be ready for a fire sale. It was a big deal that they made the Stanley Cup Playoffs last season, and it will be if they qualify again. They're trying to establish a winning culture and consistently making the playoffs goes a long way toward that.

"They won't get a blockbuster return in any trade involving Eberle, Tatar, Wennberg, Bellemare, Schultz and Driedger unless it becomes a bigger deal. If the thought is to trade them as rentals, it's worth holding onto them through this homestand before any decisions are made."

Reaction: I'm not going to argue with Dan Rosen. But this time of year in Seattle, it still gets late early, and hoping too long for a second extended winning streak could cause the Kraken to miss the Deadline Express.

Even should the Kraken somehow wedge their way into the playoffs, they don't figure to make the same noise they did last season. So winning the long game, which has always been GM Ron Francis' focus, may necessitate short-term pain - i.e., waving goodbye to valued veterans.

Headline, From The Fourth Period:

"Kraken forwards Jordan Eberle and Alexander Wennberg have already attracted plenty of interest from playoff contenders. Both veterans are in the final year of their respective contracts and can become unrestricted free agents July 1.

"The Oilers, Maple Leafs and Islanders have already been linked to having interest in Eberle, while the Bruins and Avalanche are believed to be eyeing Wennberg."

Reaction: 60% of the players in the league are being "eyed." The salary cap has made trading so much more complicated, and acquiring cap room can be just as valuable as adding a player.

Guess: The over-under on standings points during this six-game homestand is seven. Less than that, and expect general manager Francis to jump-start plans for the 2024-25 season.