It was only a matter of time.
The Kraken signed restricted free agent Jacob Melanson to a 3-year contract on Thursday, worth $1.45-million per season.
“We’re excited to re-sign Jacob,” Kraken GM Jason Botterill said for a media release. “He brought a lot of physicality and energy to our group last season, and we’re looking forward to seeing more from him these next few years.”
He brought it indeed. In only 36 games he led the club with 188 hits. “Tough to play against”, also known as “sandpaper”, was a quality the Kraken lacked. Tough guy and blueline hits leader Jamie Oleksiak left via unrestricted free agency and is now with the Vancouver Canucks. Melanson will be a trend setter to say the least.
“I’m feeling awesome,” Melanson said for the team’s website. “My fiancé [Belle Ashley] and I are over the moon to have the deal done and be back in Seattle for another three years. She loves it here. I love it. It’s an amazing fan base.”
The 23-year-old Nova Scotia native played four seasons in the Quebec Maritime Major Junior Hockey League, tallying 184 points in 170 games over four seasons ending in 2023. He potted 50 goals his final season, split between two teams. Seattle had drafted him in the 5th-round in 2021.
“Feisty” best describes him; and unafraid. His physicality and somewhat reckless play led to two broken collar bones in juniors and a broken leg with the American Hockey League’s Coachella Valley Firebirds.
Melanson posted 50 points over 122 AHL games, adding 165 penalty minutes. He scored two goals and added three assists in the NHL last season.
Earlier Kraken:
— Seattle Goalie of the Future; Who’s Kim Saarinen?
— Big Time Seattle – NHL Talk With TV’s John Forslund
