The Seattle Kraken have reportedly received calls on forwards Brandon Tanev and Yanni Gourde and could be inclined to move them, per the Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli.
The Seattle Kraken have reportedly received calls on forwards Brandon Tanev and Yanni Gourde and could be inclined to move them, per the Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli.
The Kraken spent big money in the offseason in an attempt to load up their talent and push for a playoff spot. After 13 games, the Kraken are 5-7-1, sitting in sixth place in the Pacific Division. Brandon Montour has fit in nicely but Chandler Stephenson is off to a slow start.
The Kraken's offence has dried up and their stats are beginning to slip. They're averaging just 2.77 goals per game (21st), 26.9 shots on goal (28th) and are clicking at just 16.7% on the power play (21st). With all that coming into consideration, Tanev and Gourde have apparently been the subject of trade talks.
The two checking forwards are the Kraken's least skilled players up front but make up for it with their defensive abilities and physical game. Unfortunately for them, the Kraken aren't always in need of what they provide but are in need of goal scoring. Through 13 games, Tanev has scored just one goal and two points and Gourde has notched just three assists.
On the DFO Rundown, Seravalli said the team may have too many forwards, and it's going to force them to trade at least one player. He also stated that teams have inquired about them before he made this report but the Kraken have been hesitant with moving Gourde due to his ability to play centre.
"A bunch of teams have called about Gourde to this point, the Kraken have rebuffed that and not shown any interest in moving him. Tanev I think would be a little bit different."
Moving Tanev or Gourde wouldn't land a scoring winger who would drastically improve their offence but would free up not only the roster space to do so but also the always-so-vital cap space.
Stephenson and Shane Wright are off to shaky starts offensively despite other aspects of their game thriving. One conclusion that can be made about their poor starts could be that they don't have the speed or skill on their wings. Wright thrives with speed on his wings, allowing him to use their speed to his advantage. He can work the give-and-go and find open space to make plays.
Tanev and Gourde have been with the team since the expansion draft and moving on from either of them would be difficult but it could be in the best interest of the team. GM Ron Francis has plenty to consider but his patience may understandably be wavering.
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