Oliver Bjorkstand trade changes Seattle Kraken dynamic

Friday, the Seattle Kraken traded for Oliver Bjorkstrand. His arrival changes the entire look of the team’s forward group.

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Earlier today, I told my editor that I would love to see the Seattle Kraken make a play for Tyler Motte. He’s a good hard-hitting,

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grinding forward and still in his mid-20s That was about 15 minutes before the Kraken announced they traded for winger Oliver

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Bjorkstrand from Columbus. The situation changed drastically TRADE: THE #SEAKRAKEN HAVE ACQUIRED OLIVER BJORKSTRAND FROM

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COLUMBUS IN EXCHANGE FOR A 2023 THIRD ROUND PICK (VIA CALGARY) AND A 2023 FOURTH ROUND PICK (VIA WINNIPEG).

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It was a big trade with an awesome reward. Seattle gave up only a third (from Calgary) and a fourth (from Winnipeg)

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for someone who potted 28 goals along with 29 assists last season. And Bjorkstrand also played his junior

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days in Portland, so he’s familiar with the Pacific Northwest. Talk about a win The New Kraken Order Bjorkstrand and either Jared McCann

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or Andre Burakovsky can make a good top line with Matty Beniers. And the second line is Seattle’s first all-star Jordan Eberle and

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Jaden Schwartz flanking either Yanni Gourde or possibly Shane Wright Right now, the Seattle Kraken have 14 NHL forwards without

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resigning restricted free agent Morgan Geekie. The only rostered forward that probably won’t be in the opening night lineup is John Hayden.

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To open some roster space, Seattle could trade Schwartz, which also saves them $5.5M per season through 2025-26. Or they could trade Donskoi somewhere.

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If they don’t trade away a forward, it’s bad news for Kole Lind. Karson Kuhlman likely sticks around because he’s type

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