Seattle Kraken trade rumors How GM Ron Francis sho

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It's been a season of firsts for the Kraken in the NHL. First game, first goal, first win. Now, just around the corner, comes the franchise's first NHL trade deadline. General manager Ron Francis has an opportunity to sell off some a sets and gain capital that can be invested into the future of this team.The first season has been, well, not good in Seattle.It didn't take long before the fantasy of repeating the succe s the Golden Knights had in their first season was thrown out the window. The Kraken are a team that lacks star power all around, with weakne ses on both offense and defense holding the team back.So far, the Kraken have ama sed a record of 18-27 Wilt Chamberlain Jersey -6 while averaging the third-lowest goals per game (2.57) and giving up the fourth-most goals per game (3.59). It's clear the team should be sellers at the deadline.The focus needs to be on the future. Francis can collect draft picks and prospects at the deadline in order to build an identity that this team lacks. He swung and mi sed with the expansion draft and free agency last offseason.Let's see if he can make up for it at the deadline.MORE:Who should the Kraken trade away?Any and every pending free agent that the Kraken don't feel they can/want to extend should be on the trade block.The Kraken already to a five-year deal, locking him into their future plans. The rest? If a contract extension isn't coming, there is no reason not to try Markelle Fultz Jersey and get a sets for these players that are going to walk free in free agency.Seattle has five pending UFAs now on the roster in addition to seven RFA s. The RFA s are harder to move due to the qualifying offer that has to be extended towards the player by the team owning his rights, but if a team is interested, they should facilitate a trade.Here are the top trade a sets that Kraken have that they should look to trade away.Mark GiordanoThis is the key piece for the Kraken. said it's almost certain Giordano will be moved at the deadline.He's among the top of most experts' leaderboards for trade targets and rightfully so. The 38-year-old defenseman would be a great addition to a contenders' blue line, with his ability to jump up on the rush as well as moving the puck quickly and efficiently out of his own zone.Giordano has 23 points in 55 games with Seattle this season.Calle JarnkrokWhile Giordano is the belle of the ball among those on the Seattle trade block, it's Jarnkrok that is perhaps the most valuable to a potential buyer.Jarnkrok does it all he can play wing or down the middle, can be used on the penalty kill and power play, and is responsible in all three zones of the ice. Plus, he carries a very reasonable $2 million cap hit with him. The Swedish forward has 26 points in 49 games this season in Seattle.Marcus Johan sonJohan son is used to being a trade chip. He has been traded three times in his NHL career, once at the deadline in Charles Barkley Jersey 2017, going from the Devils to the Bruins.Like Jarnkrok, he's versatile in both his positioning and his responsibilities and would fit in nicely on the bottom-six of a good team. He has a cap hit of just $1.5 million this season and has posted 23 points in 49 games.Colin BlackwellIf a team is in need of a forechecking forward, Blackwell could be that guy. The 28-year-old has followed up a strong 2020-21 campaign in New York with a respectable season in Seattle. He has 16 points in 37 games with the Kraken and can play a depth role in a deep team.Haydn FleuryOne of the seven RFAs on the Kraken roster, Fleury has shown signs of developing into a promising young defender but hasn't been given a Moses Malone Jersey ton of opportunities. He's skated in just 31 games with Seattle, recording three points, and has one of the higher plus/minuses on the team, coming in at -1. Despite his offensive upside, he has been scratched for nearly half the games this season.If Seattle does not plan on extending a qualifying offer to Fleury, it would be smart to find a suitor who is willing to take a risk on the 2014 first-round pick.MORE:What should the Kraken trade for?Draft picks. Collect as many as you can.Given what the Kraken currently have on their roster, high-end picks aren't going to be expected in return. But there is no reason why Seattle shouldn't get a first-round pick for Giordano.The rest of their prospective trade a sets should bring mid-range draft picks to the organization. Right now, their lone top prospect is Matty Beniers, who will be the face of the franchise in a couple of seasons. But the Kraken need to begin to fill the pipeline with potential NHLers to surround the potential star.At this point, the cupboard is barren in Seattle. It's through no fault of their own, that's how expansion teams go to begin. But it doesn't matter if those selections are in the third, fourth or even seventh round. Grab as many as po sible.If a prospect can be acquired, then that's another step in the right direction. But again, maybe a top player comes out of a Giordano trade, otherwise, the Kraken won't be expecting any top-tier youngsters coming back their way.Will the Kraken be a salary cap broker team?The Kraken have the additional cap space to help a team that is cap-strapped and looking to acquire a player, coming in as a third team to help broker a deal.Francis has already made it clear that the to take on a percentage of player salaries that are getting traded. This way, a contender getting the player can fit them under Maurice Cheeks Jersey the cap, while the Kraken will be compensated for taking on additional money.If Seattle goes this route, they would be able to gain a fourth or fifth-round pick for e sentially nothing. That cap space isn't being used this season, so why not add a portion of a contract to their cap while getting a draft pick in return?