The Seattle Kraken recently reached an agreement with restricted free agent Eeli Tolvanen on a two-year contract worth $6.95 million. This deal will see Tolvanen counting $3.475 million against the salary cap until the ’25-26 season. Tolvanen, who was originally a first-round pick by Nashville in 2017, joined the Kraken after being claimed off waivers early in the 2022-23 season. Since then, he has been a valuable member of the team, playing alongside Yanni Gourde and Oliver Bjorkstrand and recording 32 goals and 36 assists in 129 games over the past two seasons.
During the last season, Tolvanen achieved career highs with 41 points and 25 assists, showcasing his skill and contribution to the team. With Tolvanen’s signing, center Matty Beniers remains as Seattle’s only restricted free agent. Beniers, who won the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year in 2022-23, experienced a slightly underwhelming second full season with Seattle, registering 37 points in 77 games.
In addition to Tolvanen’s contract, the Kraken also secured first-round pick Berkly Catton to a three-year entry-level deal. Catton, selected as the No. 8 pick in the recent draft, demonstrated his talent by posting impressive numbers of 116 points (54 goals, 62 assists) in 68 regular-season games for the Spokane Chiefs in the Western Hockey League last season.
These moves highlight the Kraken’s commitment to building a competitive team for the upcoming seasons. With a mix of experienced players like Tolvanen and promising prospects like Catton, Seattle is shaping up to be a formidable force in the NHL. The team’s focus on securing key players and nurturing young talent bodes well for their future success in the league.