As Simmer first reported in these pages earlier in the week, there’s “mutual interest” between the Seattle Kraken and winger Bobby McMann in signing a new contract.
According to a report from Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic (paywall), “His agents, Brian and Scott Bartlett, continue to have discussions with the Kraken. There’s mutual interest, and the sides have agreed to keep talking to see if they can find common ground over the next 10 days or so.”
Those “10 days or so” represent the time until NHL free agency starts on July 1, when any team can bid on the winger’s services. LeBrun’s colleague Chris Johnston estimates that whoever signs McMann will pay about $21 million over four years, just north of $5 million AAV.
“McMann is staring down the biggest payday of his career after scoring 29 goals in a season split between the Kraken and the Toronto Maple Leafs,” Johnston writes.
“A big body who skates well, McMann drives the net hard and plays a power game. He’s also unafraid to take the body and get in on the forecheck. His biggest asset is an explosive shot release.”
More On Francis Back To the ‘Burgh
Ron Francis didn’t stay unemployed for long.
The first general manager of the Kraken (2021-25) and then president of hockey operations (2025-26) has landed with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Seattle ownership dismissed Francis in April.
From PittsburghHockeyNow.com: “The Penguins announced Francis would rejoin the organization as Special Advisor, Hockey Operations to president of hockey operations/GM Kyle Dubas. With the Penguins, Francis won two Stanley Cups (1991, 1992) as a player and served as captain following Mario Lemieux’s retirement for the 1997-98 season.”
A Pens press release says Francis will contribute to “strategic planning, roster construction and optimization of all internal systems” from training camp to the draft to trades.
Don’t be surprised if this is a short-term assignment. Reports say Francis, also Carolina Hurricanes’ GM from 2014 to 2018, would be interested in his own general manager’s job.
More Schultzy – Two-Time Cup Champ Returns To Seattle
Meanwhile, an ex-Penguin is joining the Kraken for a second time. This go-round, Justin Schultz will be a player development coach, mentoring blueline prospects.
“This is something I’ve always wanted to do, to help players try to get to the next level,” Schultz said to Kraken reporter Bob Condor. “I loved my time in Seattle. I’m excited to get to work with these prospects. They’re all obviously great players; they’ve been drafted or signed. I want to help in whatever way I can with what they need to get better.”
As a defenseman himself, Schultz played the final 143 games of his NHL career in Seattle from 2022-24. Overall, Schultz played 12 NHL seasons, winning Stanley Cups in Pittsburgh in 2016 and 2017.
Mark Your Kraken Calendars
Firm dates have started to trickle in for the new Kraken season.
Development camp at Kraken Community Iceplex will run for three days, June 30 through July 2. Prospect practices open to the public begin at 10:15 am on Tuesday and Wednesday, and 10 am on Thursday. The final session will conclude with the annual prospect scrimmage known as the Stucky Cup. It’s named for assistant equipment manager James Stucky.
This year’s pre-season has been shortened to four games, to accommodate an increase in the regular season from 82 to 84 contests. Two of those four Kraken pre-season games will be against the Calgary Flames. The teams will meet Sunday, Sept. 20 at 5 pm Pacific Time inside the Scotiabank Saddledome. They’ll rematch at Climate Pledge Arena on Thursday, Sept. 24 at 7 pm.
Earlier Kraken:
— Kraken Might Benefit From An Injection Of Goofy
