Kraken GM Francis Says Tatar Trade Sends Positive Message To Team

Veteran Winger Tomas Tatar Acquired From Colorado Dec. 15 As Injuries Mount

Above Photo: New Kraken winger Tomas Tatar (90).

Jaden Schwartz. Andre Burakovsky. Pierre-Edouard Bellemare.

That's a lot of experience, leadership, and skill for the Seattle Kraken to lose from its forwards group for several weeks each due to injuries. 

That trio doesn't include shorter-term injuries to top forwards Jared McCann, currently day-to-day, and Jordan Eberle, who recently missed time. Sparkplug Brandon Tanev is also back in the lineup after two stints on IR.

"The injuries have hurt us a bit," general manager Ron Francis said in a TNT TV interview. What hurts more is not having a fully developed farm system, because three years of draft choices are just now filtering in at the pro level. 

"It's so early in the franchise, your young kids are just getting to Coachella Valley of the American Hockey League. They're probably a year away from being that perfect callup for your organization. We're not as deep, as we try and develop those kids."

The hard-hit Kraken forward corps of course was a motivation for the recent acquisition of veteran winger Tomas Tatar from Colorado for a 2024 5th round draft choice.

"He's a quality NHL player. I've seen Tomas play for a long time in the NHL. He's a smart player, he can handle the puck. We're happy to acquire him, and he's been a good addition to the lineup."

Just as important, Francis said, was sending a message to players and coaches that the front office hasn't waved the white flag on an unexpectedly turbulent start to the season.

"We lost some guys in the last few weeks. We're trying to show our team we're still fighting, still trying to do something."

Francis expressed "excitement" for the January 1 Winter Classic the Kraken will host at T-Mobile Park, against the Vegas Golden Knights. "Certainly as a player, you grow up skating on outdoor rinks. So, to have this opportunity in the NHL is just fantastic."

The Seattle GM says cameras following the team for the "Road To The Winter Classic" series haven't been a distraction. However, it does remind Francis how much has changed since his own playing days.

"It's been pretty seamless. Those guys are good at what they do. It's different than in our era, when that was never happening. The kids today love that, footage of that event."