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Kraken Take Care of Business - Dunn All That Remains |
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The Seattle Kraken took care of some business over the past few days, locking up a couple key depth players in William Borgen and Cale Fleury.
The 24 year old Fleury signed a 2 year deal worth 800,000 a year which still leaves him as an RFA at the end of the contract. Borgen meanwhile got a nice little raise with a 2 year deal worth 2.7 million a season which once it expires will leave him as a UFA.
The Fleury signing is a fine little piece of business for a guy who has shown some fine if unspectacular skill in the NHL as a 6/7 defender. There is still hope this young player can find another gear but at the worst it is a good depth player for the Kraken.
Borgen meanwhile will likely be asked to do more this season and will likely see a boost in his overall ice time, especially with Soucy gone. Borgen might be one of the better kept secrets in the NHL, similar to what Soucy was prior to this past season. The 6'3 205lb right shot defender was second on the team in hits with 203 (Larsson was first with 222 and Soucy was 4th with 143). Borgen would lay a big hit from time to time but if anything I would say he was just highly adept at finishing his checks.
In addition to throwing around the body, Borgen also put up 20 points in 82 games, all of his 3 goals and 17 assists coming at even strength. Borgen isn't going to win any scoring races but having a player who plays that physical and can still help get the puck in the net is a valuable asset. Right now it looks like he and Oleksiak will be Seattle's locked in second pairing.
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Now the last big piece of business is the Vince Dunn contract. The team has just over 9 million in cap space which includes Chris Driedger on the active roster, something that may not be the case by the time the season starts.
My best guess is the Dunn contract is going to be a long term deal, likely 8 years between 7.5 and 8.5 million. Dunn is the key offensive force on the blueline and he will get his well earned payday. That will leave the Kraken with anywhere from one to two million in cap space - more if Driedger is placed on LTIR or moved. Regardless Seattle will have some options and wiggle room come the trade deadline where this team expects to be buyers once more.
Overall unless Ron Francis surprises us with Erik Karlsson, Nylander or another wild move the Kraken's roster is looking pretty set to start the season. Rolling the dice with close to the same roster plus room for growth from young talent like Kartyre, Beniers, and Wright.
Thanks for reading
Seattle Kraken Blogger • 
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