Larsson joins the Kraken on a four-year deal worth an annual average value (AAV) of $4 million after spending the last five seasons (2016-17 to 2020-21) with the Edmonton Oilers. The 28-year-old totaled 10 points (four goals, six assists) during the 2020-21 season with Edmonton, tying his career high in goals despite the shortened season. Larsson ranked in the top 10 in the NHL last season in both blocked shots (128, 2nd) and hits (166, 10th).
The six-foot-three, 208-pound Skellefteå, Sweden native has totaled 137 points (25 goals, 112 assists) in 603 career games with the New Jersey Devils and Edmonton Oilers, scoring a career-high four goals three times (2016-17, 2017-18 and 2020-21) and setting career highs in both assists (21) and points (24) during the 2013-14 season with the Devils. His 1,453 career hits rank seventh among all defensemen since making his NHL debut. Larsson was selected by the Devils with the fourth-overall pick in the 2011 NHL Draft.
Oleksiak signed a five-year deal ($4.6 million AAV) with the Kraken after finishing the 2020-21 season with 14 points (six goals, eight assists) in 56 games, setting a new career high in goals and tying his career high in points. The six-foot-seven, 225-pound Toronto, Ontario native led all Stars defensemen in scoring and his average ice time of 20:49 last season set a new career high and ranked fourth among Dallas blueliners.
The 28-year-old boasts a nine-year career that includes two stints with the Stars (2012-13 to 2017-18, 2018-19 to 2020-21) and two seasons with the Pittsburgh Penguins (2017-18 to 2018-19). In 369 career games, Oleksiak has recorded 72 points (24 goals, 48 points), 845 hits and 442 blocked shots while averaging 16:09 of ice time per game. He was selected by the Stars in the first round (14th overall) of the 2011 NHL Draft.
Driedger joins the Kraken on a three-year contract ($3.5 million AAV) after posting a 14-6-3 record, including three shutouts, with a 2.07 goals-against average and a .927 save percentage for the Florida Panthers during the 2020-21 season. The 27-year-old Winnipeg, Manitoba native ranked in the top 10 in the NHL last season in save percentage (T-5th), goals-against average (5th) and shutouts (6th) among goaltenders who appeared in at least 20 games.
The six-foot-four, 208-pound netminder owns a 21-9-4 record with four shutouts in 38 career games with the Ottawa Senators (2014-15 to 2016-17) and Florida Panthers (2019-20 to 2020-21), recording a 2.09 goals-against average and .929 save percentage. Driedger was named to the NHL All-Star game in 2019-20, setting a career high in save percentage (2.05) and goals-against average (.938) in a season in which he played more than one game. He was selected by the Ottawa Senators in the third round (76th overall) of the 2012 NHL Draft.
The Seattle Kraken will play their first game in 80 days on Oct. 12 at Las Vegas.
About Seattle Kraken
The Seattle Kraken are the National Hockey League's newest franchise, set to play their inaugural season in 2021-2022 at Climate Pledge Arena at Seattle Center, developed by Oak View Group. Visit www.nhl.com/kraken for the latest news and information including press releases, multimedia content and the latest hires.
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