The Seattle Kraken's general manager, Jason Botterill, isn't one to dwell on the ones that got away. Instead, he's all about celebrating the players who are now part of the Kraken family. At a recent media availability, Botterill was keen to discuss the acquisitions of Bobby McMann and Mackie Samoskevich, along with the re-signing of team captain Jordan Eberle.
This media session was the first chance for many to catch up with "Botts" since the season wrapped up. Botterill highlighted the edge Seattle had in convincing McMann to stick around.
Having been traded from Toronto at the March deadline, McMann got a taste of Seattle's on-ice action across 18 games and experienced the local culture. Botterill noted, “Bobby’s a classic example.
Once they get to the organization, how they’re treated, the commitment to winning from ownership down, the facilities, people want to be a part of it here.”
Botterill also emphasized the youth movement within the team, mentioning "six or seven players aged 23 or younger" who are ready to make an impact. However, he remained tight-lipped on the unsuccessful pursuit of Dallas Stars forward Jason Robertson.
"I don’t feel comfortable talking about another team’s player," he remarked. With a thin free agent market this year, Botterill acknowledged the league-wide trend towards trade activity, expressing the Kraken's intent to explore various avenues to bolster their roster.
The conversation turned to other potential targets, such as Artemi Panarin, who declined a move to Seattle at the trade deadline, and Alex Tuch, recently traded from the Buffalo Sabres to the Washington Capitals.
As the NHL Draft rolls into Day 2, covering rounds 2-7, Botterill shared a glimpse into the Kraken's strategy with a touch of humor. “We want monstrous players who can skate like the wind and have amazing skill.
We all want that, right?” he joked.
However, he stressed that speed remains a critical focus, whether through the draft or free agency. For these young draftees, Botterill emphasized the importance of having an "inner drive to get better" and a "coachability element."
He pointed to Berkly Catton and Jacob Melanson as prime examples of players who embody these traits. “It doesn’t matter if you’re a 1st round pick or a 5th round pick, that’s what you need in your DNA to reach the National Hockey League,” Botterill concluded. The Kraken's commitment to building a team with speed, skill, and determination is clear as they continue to shape their future.
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It is another reminder of how Seattle is trying to build depth from within, locking up players who have already shown they can help the Firebirds and keep the system moving. Avons growth and Roeds consistent production give the Kraken some insurance in the organization, even if these moves are more about preserving internal options than making an immediate NHL splash. [Read more 🡒]
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The Kraken already have a crowded mix of candidates fighting for jobs at forward, and the front office is expected to keep adding to that group through free agency. For Tolvanen, the question now is less about what he brought in the past and more about whether there is still a place for him in a lineup that seems headed in a different direction. [Read more 🡒]
Kraken Blue Line Future Suddenly Feels Bigger Than One Camp
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One of the more interesting parts of that picture is Justin Schultz stepping into a player development consultant role with the Kraken, with a focus on mentoring young defensemen. The former Seattle defenseman gives the organization a familiar voice around a camp that will include several drafted prospects and signed players, all of them getting a chance to show how they fit in a deeper, more crowded defense mix than the franchise has had before. The question now is less about whether the talent is there and more about which young blueliners begin to separate themselves once the camp opens. [Read more 🡒]