'A' For Effort: Dunn, Montour Join Kraken Leadership Group

Kraken, Captains

As the Seattle Kraken skate into their new season, two veteran defensemen will be sporting a brand-new “A” stiched to their jerseys.

Brandon Montour and Vince Dunn have been named alternate captains, joining defenseman Adam Larsson and center Matty Beniers. Forward Jordan Eberle remains team captain for a 3rd season.

Seattle has had three alternates since Yanni Gourde was traded to Tampa Bay at the deadline in 2024. Another opening was created when Jaden Schwartz signed as a free agent this summer with the Colorado Avalanche.

The quintet of Eberle, Larsson, Beniers, Montour and Dunn will make up what’s informally known as the Kraken “leadership group.” Together, they bring 3,771 games of NHL experience. That’s important on a team that intends to inject youth into the lineup this season.

New Kraken Alternates Are Cup-Winners

The newest leadership group members share a championship pedigree, Montour winning a Stanley Cup with Florida in 2024, and Dunn with St. Louis in 2019.

The addition of Montour also makes sense because he’s an uplifting presence in the dressing room, the team’s unofficial “music director,” and will be here for awhile – he’s got five years remaining on a seven year, $50 million contract signed in 2024.

Dunn’s addition is intriguing, because he’s in the final season of a four year, $29.4 million deal. That leads to one of three conclusions. (1) The Kraken will try and extend him before he reaches free agency next July 1 (2) management is okay with the “A” being a one-year assignment, or (3) honoring him with an assistant captain’s role is an inducement to convince the defensemen to stick around past the 2026-27 season.

Former Kraken Winger On Rocky Mountain High

Kraken, Schwartz

As for Schwartz, he says as a free agent, “Colorado was very high on my list.” He brings 15 years of NHL experience to Denver, 10 in St. Louis (including a Stanley Cup) and the last five in Seattle. The 34-year-old signed a three-year, $9.75 million contract.

“There’s so many good players, good organization, very good guys,” Schwartz said. “When they reached out, I was pretty excited. The Avs are definitely in a win-now mode, which is awesome to be a part of.”

Schwartz spent two years in Colorado Springs between 2010-12, playing for Colorado College after being drafted 14th overall by the Blues.

Once he signed in Seattle in 2021, Schwartz could never seem to escape the sting of the injury bug.