\tKraken UFA<\/p>\n
Bobby McMann\u2019s agent Brian Bartlett is generally pretty forthcoming to various degrees, naturally depending on a particular situation. For McMann\u2019s status at this point, \u201cBarts\u201d didn\u2019t have anything to add to what the player told us on Friday during the team\u2019s bye bye media sessions.<\/p>\n
This is how McMann answered my question about any negotiations that may have taken place between his agent and the Kraken.<\/p>\n
\u201cHonestly it just never happened, I think with how hectic the end of the season was, there was no \u2026\u201d McMann said before changing course. \u201cNeither side was trying not to discuss it, I think there was, I tried to stay out of it, there was a little bit of contact back and forth, just like, \u201cwe like having him here\u201d, kind of thing, is what I think we heard on my end. But then it was reciprocated, that I enjoyed being here, that I was enjoying the opportunity, but no real, I guess discussions were started.\u201d<\/p>\n
A delay in negotiations based on how the season was unfolding makes complete sense. McCann wasn\u2019t here long \u2014 he arrived via trade from the Toronto Maple Leafs on March 6th \u2014 and he was busy scoring goals and increasing his value. The team was busy fading out of the playoff picture. He posted ten goals and four assists in 18 games with Seattle.<\/p>\n
McMann is an unrestricted<\/a> free agent come July 1st, which means at that point he\u2019s open to sign with any NHL team that offers him the most lucrative and\/or inviting deal. The Kraken have exclusive negotiating rights with him until that time.<\/p>\n The player and agent have the leverage. The Kraken are desperate for scoring, they and all NHL teams have increased salary cap space to work with this upcoming season ($104-million cap), and McMann\u2019s size and speed brings a premium.<\/p>\n He\u2019s 29-years-old, but he\u2019s a late bloomer, mainly because of the way the Maple Leafs handled his development. Based on having a top heavy NHL forward group for many seasons, Toronto found it hard to find space for him. Switching into \u201cretool\u201d mode as this past season collapsed, then Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving moved him to Seattle for a 2nd (2027) and a 4th round (2026) draft pick.<\/p>\n Even in a limited role, McMann was a half-a-point-a-game player in 200 matches with Toronto.<\/p>\n It was a savvy acquisition by Seattle GM Jason Botterill, very likely with an assist from his head coach Lane Lambert. Lambert was an assistant coach with the Maple Leafs for the 2024-\u201925 season.<\/p>\n \u201cLane was definitely a nice part of coming here and has been a nice piece in knowing him, knowing the way that he coaches, and does a lot of teaching, and making sure all details of the game are covered,\u201d McMann stated. \u201cI enjoy that side of the game and making sure I\u2019m optimizing my potential and the team\u2019s potential.\u201d<\/p>\n Lambert is expected back and that type of endorsement from a player the club will be desperate to sign doesn\u2019t hurt the coach\u2019s status.<\/p>\n As the Kraken hierarchy finishes up its \u201ctop-to-bottom\u201d organizational audit in the coming days, one would expect to get official word on Lambert and see negotiations get underway with McCann.<\/p>\n Earlier Kraken:<\/p>\n \u2014 Head Coach Lambert Still Not Confirmed<\/a><\/p>\n Earlier Canucks:<\/p>\n