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Seattle Kraken closing in on being able to begin signing undrafted players

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Cooper Godin
April 6, 2021  (12:51)
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With just over three months until the 2021 NHL Expansion Draft, the Seattle Kraken are close to making a historical step in franchise history. The signing of its very first player.

Team owners David Bonderman, Jerry Bruckheimer, and Tod Leiweke are expected to pay off the final installment of the $650 million expansion fee at some point in April. Once that final payment is made, the Kraken organization will be able to sign undrafted free agents, and possibly make trades. It's not clear if the final payment will be made ahead of the trade deadline on April 12th.

There are several promising undrafted college free agents the Kraken could take a look at. There are three players that Seattle could and likely will take a look at:

Chayse Primeau (23)

A forward from the University of Nebraska-Omaha, and brother of Canadiens prospect Cayden Primeau. He tallied 23 points (9 G, 14 A), 4 penalty minutes, and was a +2 in 26 games.

Akita Hirose (21)

A defenceman from Minnesota State University, and brother of Detroit Red Wings forward Taro Hirose. Akita had 13 points (1 G, 12 A), 14 penalty minutes, and was a +17 in 27 games.

Dryden McKay (23)

A goaltender from Minnesota State University, named one of three finalists for the 2021 Hobey Baker Award. He had a record of 21-3-0, a 1.39 G.A.A., a .931 save percentage, and 10 shutouts.

The Kraken will (presumably) drop the puck on their inaugural season in October 2021.