Bleacher Report released an article grading each team's offseason grade and the Seattle Kraken received an F.
The Kraken made two big signings this offseason, handing out seven-year contracts to Brandon Montour and Chandler Stephenson. Montour's AAV is $7.143M and Stephenson's is $6.25M.
Related: Kraken Sign Brandon Montour To Seven-Year Contract
Understandably there is risk with both contracts. Each player is already 30 years old and by the time their contract expires, they will be 37. Players can play at older ages in today's game but it is still a massive risk. Their ability to recover from injuries as they get older diminishes and their reaction time and speed decreases as well.
Bleacher Report believes the Kraken overpaid for Montour but were more critical of the Stephenson signing.
"There might not be a weirder offseason in the NHL than the one belonging to the Seattle Kraken. While Brandon Montour has a chance to be a solid upgrade to their defense, they may have dramatically overpaid him for what his production is likely to look like. But that potential overpay is nothing compared to what they gave Chandler Stephenson, signing him to a seven-year, $43.7 million contract that just simply goes against all sound logic and reason. They needed to upgrade their offense after dropping down to 29th in the league in goals, but this is not likely to be the path."
Related: Kraken Sign Chandler Stephenson To Seven-Year Deal
The grade Bleacher Report gave the Kraken is quite harsh but their reasoning has logic behind it. The Kraken needed to make moves to improve the team and by the sounds of it, the trade market was active but prices were very steep.
Matty Beniers is already due for a contract extension and players like Shane Wright, Jagger Firkus, David Goyette and Ryker Evans will need extensions while Montour and Stephenson are under contract.
If the Kraken have success this season and are in playoff contention for the next few years, the contracts will be looked at on a brighter note but if Montour and Stephenson can't replicate the success they had on Stanley Cup-winning rosters, Bleacher Reports' grading will be valid and true.
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