The Calgary Flames reeled in Seattle Kraken forward Calle Jarnkrok on Wednesday, further bolstering their offense after adding Tyler Toffoli last month.
The Flames sent a 2022 second-round draft pick, a 2023 third-round pick and a 2024 seventh-round pick to Seattle for the Swedish player.
The Kraken also retained 50% of Jarnkrok’s salary.
How did both teams do in the swap? We grade the GMs here:
We know the Flames want to go all in, and they should. Calgary is atop the Pacific Division with a roster filled with talented forwards, serviceable defensemen and a star goaltender. If there was a time to load up, this is it.
Toffoli was a good first addition on the scoring front. Jarnkrok adds much needed depth. Look back at any championship team and there are players like Jarnkrok populating the middle or bottom six. Jarnkrok is a versatile defense-first forward who had 26 points in 49 games this season for Seattle. The opportunity in Calgary is a big one for player and team, and clearly the Flames believe in what Jarnkrok’s impact will be based on what they sent Seattle.
It becomes harder to score goals when the calendar flips to the playoffs, and having a defense-minded forward like Jarnkrok in the mix sets a different tone. Calgary knows Johnny Gaudreau, Elias Lindholm & Co. can take care of the offense. But the Flames were lacking in true two-way players, and Jarnkrok fits the bill.
Plus, Calgary got Seattle to retain half of Jarnkrok’s $2 million cap hit, which helps them make this move (and any more to come) easy to manage.
Seattle has to be thinking about the future, and receiving two decent picks, plus a seventh-rounder, is a good deal. It marks the Kraken’s most prominent trade to date.
Jarnkrok was an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season, and if Seattle didn’t reasonably believe he could be part of the future, this was a perfect opportunity to move on and receive a solid return. It’s the best move for their future.
Now, general manager Ron Francis has accumulated 19 picks over the next two drafts. That’s an exceptional haul to build off, whether via players drafted or picks used in trades. That should set Seattle up for future success.