Today, the Seattle Kraken (@SeattleKraken) have agreed to terms with free agent goaltender Philipp Grubauer (@philgrubauer31) to a six-year contract ($5.9 million AAV).
“We’re excited to add a goaltender of Philipp’s caliber, especially coming off of a season where he was a finalist for the Vezina Trophy,” said Seattle Kraken General Manager Ron Francis. “He was a part of a Stanley Cup-winning team and has been one of the top goaltenders in the League over the past few seasons and we’re happy that he chose to join our team.”
The 29-year-old finished the 2020-21 season with a record of 30-9-1 along with a 1.95 goals-against average (GAA), a .922 save percentage and seven shutouts in 40 games played with the Colorado Avalanche, who finished with the NHL’s best record in the regular season. He finished second in the NHL in wins, second in goal-against average, eighth in save percentage and tied for first in shutouts. Grubauer did not lose back-to-back regulation games all regular season and allowed two or fewer goals in 28 of his 40 appearances.
The German-born netminder has amassed a record of 109-61-21 with a 2.34 goals-against average, a .920 save percentage and 18 shutouts in 214 career games with both Colorado and the Washington Capitals, and set career highs in wins, goals-against average and shutouts last season. His career save percentage and GAA both rank first among all German-born goalies in NHL history.
Grubauer was a member of the 2018 Stanley Cup-winning Washington Capitals and has posted a career playoff record of 19-10-1 with a 2.50 GAA and a .913 save percentage.
Internationally, the native of Rosenheim, Germany, has represented his country in three World Championships (2019, 2017, 2014), two World Jr. Championships (2011, 2009) and the World Cup in 2017.
Before his NHL career, Grubauer appeared in 105 career AHL games with Hershey (Washington affiliate) and was named an AHL All-Star in 2014-15. In 2009-10, Grubauer helped his junior club, the Windsor Spitfires, win the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) championship before capturing the CHL Memorial Cup championship.
The six-foot-one, 188-pound goaltender was originally drafted by Washington in the fourth round (112th overall) of the 2010 NHL Draft.
Today, the Seattle Kraken (@SeattleKraken) have agreed to terms with free agent forward Jaden Schwartz to a 5-year contract ($5.5 million AAV).
“Jaden plays a responsible two-way game and knows how to put the puck in the net,” said Seattle Kraken General Manager Ron Francis. “He brings veteran leadership to our group and his knowledge of the game and what it takes to win hockey’s ultimate prize will be valuable as we continue to shape our inaugural roster. We’re looking forward to adding his guidance and skill to our team.”
The 29-year-old recorded 21 points (eight goals, 13 assists), a plus-2 plus/minus rating and fired 71 shots on goal in 40 games with the St. Louis Blues during the 2020-21 NHL season. He finished sixth among forwards in points and his 26 blocked shots tied for third amongst Blues forwards.
Schwartz helped the Blues win the Stanley Cup in 2018-19, leading all St. Louis skaters with 12 goals during the 26-game playoff run. He has posted 50 or more points in five of his last eight seasons and 20 or more goals in two of his last four campaigns. In 560 career NHL games, all with St. Louis, Schwartz has registered 385 points (154 goals, 231 assists) and has finished as a plus-player in seven of his last eight seasons.
Since 2013-14, Schwartz (369 goals, +77) is one of just 16 NHL skaters to have recorded over 360 points and have a plus/minus rating of plus-75 or higher. Among all-time Blues players, he ranks in the top-20 in most offensive categories, including goals (16th), assists (13th), points (14th) and plus/minus (+6). In his postseason career, Schwartz has amassed 54 points (26 goals, 28 assists) in 88 games.
Prior to his NHL career, the native of Wilcox, Saskatchewan appeared in 33 American Hockey League games with Peoria during the 2012-13 season after spending two seasons with Colorado College (NCAA). Schwartz was named a first-team All-American (West) and to the WCHA First All-Star Team in 2012, after being named to the WCHA Third Team as well as his conference All-Rookie Team in 2011. In his lone season in the USHL with Tri-City (2009-10), the forward led the league in points and was named the league’s top forward, a first-team all-star and played in the USHL All-Star Game.
Internationally, Schwartz has represented Canada at two World Championships (2018, 2013) and two World Jr. Championships (2012 – bronze, 2011 – silver).
The five-foot-ten, 190-pound forward was originally drafted by St. Louis in the first round (14th overall) of the 2010 NHL Draft.
Today, the Seattle Kraken (@SeattleKraken) announce they have agreed to terms with free agent forward Alexander Wennberg to a three-year contract ($4.5 million AAV).
“Alexander is coming off of his best goal-scoring season to date and gives us an offensive-minded center down the middle,” said Seattle Kraken General Manager Ron Francis. “He’s still young and we think he has room to grow even further as he has taken large strides in each of his last few seasons. We like his combination of size and skill and think he will fit well with our group.”
The 26-year-old totaled 29 points (17 goals, 12 assists) in 56 regular-season games with the Florida Panthers during the 2020-21 season, ranking seventh on the team in scoring. Despite the shortened season, Wennberg set career highs in goals (17) and tied his career high with three power-play goals. The Stockholm, Sweden native added one goal and one assist in five postseason games with the Panthers.
The six-foot-two, 192-pound forward has recorded 230 points (57 goals, 173 assists) in 471 games with the Columbus Blue Jackets (2016-17 to 2019-20) and Florida Panthers (2020-21), with his 173 career assists ranking ninth among all skaters from the 2013 draft class. Wennberg set a career high with 46 assists and 59 points during the 2016-17 season, ranking second on Columbus in scoring that year. In 28 career playoff games, Wennberg has totaled 10 points (five goals, five assists), including a career-high five points (three goals, two assist) during the Blue Jackets’ 2019-20 run.
Prior to making his NHL debut, Wennberg spent the 2013-14 season with Frolunda HC of the Swedish Hockey League where he totaled 21 points (16 goals, five assists) in 50 games en route to being named a finalist for the league’s top rookie award. He has represented Sweden in international competition five times: at the 2012 U-18 World Junior Championship, the 2013 and 2014 U-20 World Junior Championships and at the 2016 and 2019 World Championship, winning a silver medal in both 2013 and 2014.
He was originally drafted by Columbus in the first round (14th overall) of the 2013 NHL Draft.
The Seattle Kraken will play their first game in 76 days on Oct. 12 at Las Vegas.