While the 2025-26 Seattle Kraken struggle down the stretch, losing 3-2 Saturday in a shootout to the Buffalo Sabres, GM Jason Botterill has hopefully started crafting next year’s roster. There’s plenty of work to do.

Botterill’s new Job 1 is re-signing trade deadline acquisition Bobby McMann. The winger’s goal and assist in Buffalo continued a torrid pace with his new club. McMann used his speed and 6-foot-2, 217 pound frame in the 2nd period to make Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin look like a beer league defenseman.

“My mindset is, generate a lot of speed, push the defense back,” McMann said afterward. “Push out, generate space for everyone on the ice.”

Since resolving visa issues in Seattle, the 29-year-old forward has poured in seven goals and four assists in eight games. That makes McMann responsible for 27% of all Kraken goals in those eight games (McMann 7, everyone else 19). The lack of overall offense cost Seattle again on Saturday.

“We had a lot of really good chances,” coach Lane Lambert said. “We just needed to score.” Noting Seattle’s 34 shots, Lambert repeated, “We had point-blank shots. We just have to put the puck in the net.”

Making McMann A McKeeper

The goal-challenged Kraken can’t afford to let McMann enter the free agent market this summer. The question is whether they can afford to pay what his agent will be asking in dollars and term.

“I don’t think it’s gone very far down the road yet,” insider Elliotte Friedman speculated on Hockey Night In Canada. “We’re under the impression the Kraken have indicated to McMann that they would like to try and keep him. He’s been an excellent fit.”

For his part, McMann is pleased with the organizational welcome. “Super helpful. They’ve (provided) everything that I’ve asked for. Lane (Lambert) has been great getting me up to speed with systems, with where the guys are playing, where he wants me to fit.”

As a Toronto Maple Leafs assistant, the Kraken coach got to know McMann last year. Despite his defense-first approach, Lambert has also green-lit a measure of freedom for his newest forward. “It gives me a lot of confidence to play how I want to. When you’re doing that, you play at your best.”

Making The Most Of New Opportunities

HNIC’s Friedman added that McMann and his previous employer in Toronto, “Never really got close” on a new deal. “There was quite a (monetary) gap before he was traded to Seattle.”

The knock against McMann with the Leafs was stretches when the goal scoring dried up. Deficiencies in the speedy winger’s game made him a liability. By the same token, the knock against Toronto was that they misused McMann. That isn’t a problem now.

“We’re giving him plenty of opportunity. He’s earned it,” said Lambert. “He’s fit in real nicely with (Kaapo) Kakko and Chandler Stephenson. His speed is key. We see that on a nightly basis.”

McMann has quickly found a comfort level with his new linemates. “I think we know the kind of players that we are, what our strengths are. I’m not trying to do their job; they’re not trying to do my job. We’re gelling well.”

Speculation at the time of the trade was that McMann would ask for a $5 million AAV contract. However, the cash register is ringing with every goal he scores, now up to 26 combined in Toronto and Seattle – easily the highest total on the Kraken.

Meanwhile, former Kraken 4th-liner Morgan Geekie is finishing his second consecutive 30-goal season in Boston. Botterill & co. can’t allow another missed opportunity.

Game Notes

** Shane Wright skated just 3:36, not returning after a 1st period hit by Buffalo’s Logan Stanley. Lambert shared what officials explained to him, regarding the lack of a penalty. “Shane was low. He exposed himself from that standpoint. Because he was so low, it was considered that (Stanley) wasn’t targeting his head.”

** At 75 points, the Kraken are two back of the Nashville Predators for the final Western Conference wild card spot. Seattle (32-29-11) has 10 games remaining.

Earlier Kraken:

— A Real Surprise Happened After Kraken Victory

Earlier Canucks:

— Canucks Trade Myers; Whipping Boy Turned Respected Leader