SEATTLE — Seattle Kraken General Manager Ron Francis dropped the latest episode of "Inside the Arena" on March 20, discussing recent trade deadline moves, prospects, and his plans for the next season. Fans of the Kraken felt the sting of losing original players like Yanni Gourde and Brandon Tanev, as well as playoff star Oliver Bjorkstrand, but Francis reassured them that these trades positioned the team for future success. "We were able to get two first-round picks, two second-round picks and a seventh for those players, so what it also did was free up a lot of cap space," he explained.
Francis noted that the Kraken now has approximately $20 million in salary cap space entering the summer, which opens up opportunities to address their scoring needs. With three first-round picks and three second-round picks over the next three years, there's potential for structural upgrades. "We're not looking to draft 10 players with those three drafts with those picks; we are hoping to parlay those into acquiring players that will make our lineup really stronger," he declared, highlighting prior trades, like how they used draft picks to acquire Bjorkstrand before the 2022-2023 season. The forward was instrumental in helping the Kraken reach the Western Conference Finals.
Meanwhile, the Vegas Golden Knights also experienced a mixed bag of activity at the trade deadline, reuniting with Reilly Smith in a trade from the New York Rangers on the same date. The Golden Knights faced challenges due to Shea Theodore's injury suffered during the 4 Nations Face-Off, though he has since returned to practice and expects to join the lineup for the postseason. The team is currently first in the Pacific Division, just two points ahead of the Edmonton Oilers.
Despite a disappointing end to the previous season in which they lost in the first round to the Dallas Stars after winning the series' first two games, the Golden Knights secured the Stanley Cup in 2023, furthering their reputation as a formidable team. The landscape of the Pacific Division appears even, with both the Oilers and the Los Angeles Kings struggling as the playoffs approach, setting the stage for an intriguing postseason.
In stark contrast, the Winnipeg Jets were less active at the NHL trade deadline. Although they added familiar faces with Brandon Tanev and Luke Schenn, Jets General Manager Kevin Cheveldayoff has confidence in the core that has propelled them to the top seed in the Western Conference. However, fans remain uneasy about their playoff potential, especially given past postseason struggles.
Connor Hellebuyck has been pivotal for the Jets this season, with a .924 save percentage and a 2.05 goals-against average, earning himself consideration for league MVP. Despite this, doubts linger due to his inconsistent playoff performances. The Jets have made it clear they trust their existing lineup, yet the lack of significant moves at this crucial time can leave fans feeling uncertain.
Across the league, various playoff contenders have bolstered their rosters with major trades. The Colorado Avalanche, fresh off adding Mikko Rantanen, and the Florida Panthers, who acquired both Brad Marchand and Seth Jones, are positioning themselves well for a strong playoff run. Meanwhile, the Tampa Bay Lightning secured Yanni Gourde and Oliver Bjorkstrand, reflecting a broader trend of contenders making impactful moves.
Despite the Jets' position as the top seed, their playoff road seems fraught, as they may have to contend with the Avalanche, who defeated them in five games during last year's playoffs, as well as the dangerous Stars, now strengthened by Rantanen.
The excitement of the playoff season is palpable, and the question remains if the Jets can rise to the occasion or if they will be remembered for another disappointing postseason exit.
