The Kraken never answered our request for comment as the contract talks with defenseman Ryker Evans appeared to drag on. They didn’t need to, because despite taking a bit of extra time the two sides ended up with happy middle ground on Monday.
“Ryker is happy with where he’s at and now has a runway to take the next steps in his career and prove what he’s capable of over the next two seasons,” Evans’s agent Brian Bartlett said in a conversation with Seattle Hockey Insider on Tuesday.
The two-year deal worth $2.05-million per season wasn’t exactly contentious. The club and agent compromised on term and value while setting up an opportunity for Evans to take strides.
Likely on the 3rd pair in Seattle this season, Evans’s goal is to be a consistent top-4 NHL D-man while adding power play responsibilities. He was prolific in that department during his time in juniors and with the Coachella Valley Firebirds in the American Hockey League. He was a key cog offensively while helping that team reach the Calder Cup Final in both 2023 and 2024.
Already an NHL penalty killer, the lefty is comfortable playing either side of the ice, something he’ll likely have to do with Seattle having just two regular right-shot defenseman.
The 23-year-old Calgary native had almost no leverage in these recent negotiations, short of holding out for a contract heading into training camp. It wasn’t going to, and obviously didn’t, come to that.
In two years he’ll be a restricted free agent once again, but this time with arbitration rights. Although unlikely, he might also be in a situation, depending on the Kraken’s vulnerability based on salary cap space, to be an offer sheet candidate, should another NHL club take an aggressive approach to filling a D-spot with a talented young up-and-comer.
For now, he’ll play and make the most of it, likely paired with righty Jamie Oleksiak or newcomer, veteran lefty Ryan Lindgren.
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