The Seattle Kraken have made a big move by signing defenceman Adam Larsson to a four-year, $21 million contract extension. This deal comes at a crucial time for Larsson, who was previously set to become an unrestricted free agent next summer. The new contract will see Larsson carry a cap hit of $5.25 million, a significant increase from his expiring contract with a cap hit of $4 million.
Larsson, who is set to turn 32 in November, had a productive season last year, posting four goals and 18 points in 81 games while logging an average of 22:57 of ice time per game. This made him the second highest ice time player on the team, just behind Vince Dunn who averaged 23:05.
The Kraken picked up Larsson in the 2021 expansion draft from the Edmonton Oilers, where he is most notably remembered as part of the Taylor Hall trade with the New Jersey Devils in 2016. Originally selected fourth overall in the 2011 draft by the Devils, Larsson has amassed 45 goals and 213 points over his 848-game career.
With this new contract, Larsson joins a growing list of Kraken players who are locked in for the next few seasons. Forward Matthew Beniers signed a seven-year, $49.99 million contract as a restricted free agent, along with unrestricted free agent Chandler Stephenson who signed a seven-year, $43.75 million deal. On the defensive end, the Kraken secured Brandon Montour with a seven-year, $50 million contract in July, while Dunn is signed through 2026-27 with a cap hit of $7.35 million.
Seattle is aiming for a return to the playoffs this season, following a disappointing campaign last year where they missed out on postseason action for the second time in three years. However, the Kraken made it to the second round of the playoffs in their sophomore season in 2023, showing promise for the future.
