More and more it is looking like the Kraken will not be sellers or buyers at the NHL Trade Deadline. Instead it is expected that the organization will roll the dice with the team in front of them, see how they fair down this stretch, and should they make the playoffs; see how they fair in a best of 7 series.

Ultimately I think that is the right plan for the Kraken. This is a team in it's second season and things are going about as good as could ever be hoped for. Seattle is currently in a playoff spot, their draft pick from last season is looking like a core piece already and things seem to be clicking. Rome wasn't built in a day and the smart move is likely to stay the course, see what holes exist moving through this final part of the season and use the solid collection of draft picks Francis has accumulated to address in the off-season.

That all being said, if Seattle could find a way to make a big splash and add Jakob Chychrun that would also be an excellent decision.

The Chychrun sweepstakes continue much to the frustration of all parties involved. Both the Oilers and Kings were deep in the running but eventually grew weary of Bill Armstrong's asks and went elsewhere adding Ekholm and Gavrikov respectively. Chychrun continues to get scratched for trade related reasons and fans on all sides are wondering where it ends.

The Kraken have not been reported as in the mix but Chychrun makes a ton of sense for this group. He is young, has good term left on his contract and the Kraken are in need of two way defenders who can move the puck well. Vince Dunn has had a breakout season but is this a flash in the pan or the new normal for him? Chychrun would be great insurance as a 1B defenseman who could either be on the top pairing or second pairing depending on how Dunn fairs.

Cap wise there would need to be some juggling. It's reported that the Coyotes do not want to take on any salary meaning that the Kraken would need to deal a roster player to another team and then make the trade for Chychrun. Let's say just for argument sake they trade Brandon Tanev. Losing Tanev would hurt as he is a fan favorite but at 3.5 million he is an expensive bottom pairing player. That would leave Seattle with roughly 4.5 million in cap space. Send someone like Cale Fleury down on defense and Seattle would have roughly 5 mill in cap space; more than enough to take on all of Chychrun's contract.

The ask for Chychrun must be astronomical if the Yotes still haven't moved him. Just talking out loud, would you trade Shane Wright for Chychrun? The Coyotes get another young talented centre from the same draft as Logan Cooley and the Kraken get a long term option on the blueline.

Even if the return isn't that steep, trade away a first this season, a prospect like Jagger Firkus, and something else to make it work. This trade wouldn't be about going all in this season for the playoffs but would bolster the roster and give Seattle a player with term moving forward.

What say you Seattle fans? What would you give up to add a Jakob Chychrun?

Thanks for reading!

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