Speculation On Two Goal-Scorers Joining Kraken, One Goalie Departing

Kraken May Scratch That 'Ich

The Seattle Kraken sure could use a 27-goal scorer on a contract with one year remaining at a bargain price.

It so happens the St. Louis Blues have such a player in forward Pavel Buchnevich (above photo). Because the Blues have missed the playoffs each of the past two seasons, nhltraderumors.me speculates they might trade the 29-year-old Russian for the right package of prospects and picks.

The site lists the Kraken along with Vancouver and Carolina as potential trading partners. Buchnevich, who's averaged a robust 69 points over the last three seasons, will carry a cap hit of $5.8 million on the final year of his contract.

Seattle Could Use More Rein(hart)

It's folly to believe the Florida Panthers would let pending free agent San Reinhart get away. One win from a Stanley Cup and with a reported $20 million in cap space, Florida likely won't let their 57-goal center walk.

If they somehow did allow the 10-year NHL vet test the market, insidetherink.com lists Seattle as a "dark horse candidate" because of its proximity to Reinhart's birthplace.

"Seattle isn’t far from West Vancouver (BC), so maybe Reinhart decides to play closer to home. Seattle needs his goal-scoring, as the Kraken were the 4th worst-scoring team in the league in 2023-2024 at 2.61 goals per game .

"Seattle does have the cash to sign him and could outbid others to give fans something to be excited about in the Emerald City."

Driedger Playing Way Back To NHL

This final speculation isn't about who might join the Kraken, but instead about a player about to leave the organization.

Coachella Valley Firebirds goalie Chris Driedger makes THN columnist Adam Proteau's list of "pending UFA goalies needing a fresh start."

That is, once the Kraken's AHL farm team, 11-2 with Driedger in net so far in the Calder Cup playoffs, is done with him.

"The 30-year-old Driedger lost his NHL job in Seattle, appearing in only two games with the Kraken after missing most of last season with injury.

"Driedger’s $3.5-million cap hit will plummet next season, but he could excel with a new team. He did look good with the Florida Panthers before joining the Kraken in 2021.

"An above-average team might wind up benefitting from acquiring him on a low-dollar, short-term contract this off-season. Don't count him out for a bounce back."