No panic. The fact contract talks haven’t begun between the Kraken and 33-year-old veteran leader Jaden Schwartz shouldn’t be a major concern. He’s a full season away from unrestricted free agency.
Plus, both the team and the player have reasons to be patient.
It remains to be seen whether the 14-year NHL veteran and original Kraken would prefer a one-year contract, a longer deal, or a move elsewhere for an opportunity to win another Stanley Cup. He was a key producer for the St. Louis Blues and their championship in 2019.
There’s the possibility that after a fifth season with the Kraken, Schwartz will want to sample the market. Let’s face it, Seattle isn’t a Cup contender; always an important factor for a player in his mid-30’s, whether he’s won a title or not.
Schwartz will be playing under his third head coach in the past three seasons. That type of perceived instability might be enough to have him looking elsewhere, depending on how he responds to the message and the systems.
On the flipside, the Kraken should be cautious as well. Schwartz might decide he’s comfortable. He’s presently making $5.5-million in a market with a great lifestyle and very little pressure.
It remains to be seen whether this player can continue a positive production trend. In 2024-’25, Schwartz posted the best of his four in Seattle, with 81 games played and 49 points.
Those stats can be misleading, given the fact the 5-foot-10, 185-pound winger has never survived an entire 82-game NHL schedule. Injuries have been semi-frequent, a dicey realization especially when one considers his age.
So many factors. It’s why NHL GM’s make the big bucks.
There are other factors working in Schwartz’s favor: He’s a leader by example, one who has a strong tendency to step up his play when it matters most. He posted 20 points in 26 playoff games when the Blues won the Cup and posted ten points in 14 playoff games when the Kraken made the postseason in 2023.
If his game is looking strong after 2025-’26 gets under way, often not a surprise for an NHL player in a contract year, then Seattle can start generating offers as the season progresses.
At this point leverage one way or the other doesn’t really exist.
