Leading scorer McCann Re-Signs with Kraken

In another major milestone for the NHL's 32nd franchise, the Kraken announced Tuesday forward Jared McCann has re-signed with the team. The new agreement, beginning next season, is a five-year contract at an average annual value (AAV) or salary cap hit of $5 million per year. McCann is the first player in franchise history to re-up with the Kraken.
"We're thrilled that Jared has made this long-term commitment to the Kraken and the city of Seattle," said Seattle Kraken General Manager Ron Francis. "Jared has proven this year that he can be a difference maker offensively, and we're excited to have him as a core part of our organization moving forward."

McCann, the team's expansion draft choice from Toronto, has emerged this season as the Kraken's leading scorer and much more. His 21 goals to date represent a career-high for the 25-year-old who played his 400th NHL game in late February. He has earned praise from his coaches and teammates alike for his leadership on and off the ice.
One example: When forward Brandon Tanev was sidelined for the season with a major knee injury, it was McCann who took over the "get psyched up" role standing at the end of the Kraken tunnel walkway entering the ice from their locker room. Seattle fans see McCann on the twin video boards exhorting and encouraging his teammates before every home game at Climate Pledge Arena.
"I couldn't be more excited to be a part of the Kraken for the long term," said McCann. "Having spent the last few months in Seattle, the organization is first-class, from the incredible arena and practice facility to the way we're treated as players."
"I knew Seattle was where I wanted to be. The support the fan base has given us from day one is what keeps us going every night. You can't walk down the street without seeing Kraken gear. The best is yet to come and I can't wait to be part of it."
McCann's enthusiasm to stay in Seattle synced up with the Kraken front office's desire to make the still-young forward part of their core of players for five more seasons. It made for smooth negotiations that started with Francis calling agent Joe Resnick before the All-Star break in early February. The conversation started in earnest after the break with McCann characterizing the overall terms and specific details being decided in "a couple of weeks."
Teammates, such as young fan favorite Morgan Geekie, for one, notice how hard McCann works in every practice and stays after practices and during pre-game warmups to work on what is already an elite collection of shots in his offensive tool kit.
McCann leads the team in goals, overall points (33, including 12 assists), power-play goals (seven) and multi-point games (eight) despite missing eight games due to a recent upper-body injury as well as COVID-19 protocol.
"I think through all of this is he's scoring consistently," Hakstol said after the pandemic-related absence. "Even through the ups and downs and COVID-19, he's consistently provided offense and produced for us. That's a huge credit to him. He's continuing to solidify his role in other areas on our team."
What's even more encouraging for the Kraken hockey operations groups and fans alike is this first re-signing is a clear signal the franchise appreciates and rewards hard work and that players with a bright upside like McCann are bypassing the free agency market to be part of what GM Francis is building in Seattle.
Plus, it indicates plans are on track to build around a core group of players acquired in the expansion draft and the team's first unrestricted free agent signings last summer. Francis and his hockey operations will be seeking this summer to add to that core via free agency, trades and the NHL Draft, using salary cap room and flexibility to strengthen the roster for next season.
McCann would have been a restricted free agent this summer. That means he could be controlled by the Kraken for one more season given certain rules were followed (making a "qualifying" offer and matching any offer sheets from one of the other 31 NHL teams). But in the summer of 2023, McCann could have left for the highest bidder.
Instead, Francis has signed a forward motivated to help make Seattle a winner--a player and emerging leader who is clearly now classified as part of a projected core of players signed through at least the 2023-24 season. That group includes fellow forwards Jordan Eberle, Jaden Schwartz, Yanni Gourde, Alex Wennberg, defensemen Adam Larsson and Jamie Oleksiak and goalies Philipp Grubauer and Chris Driedger.
McCann was Vancouver's first-round draft choice (picked 24th overall) who as a 19-year-old made the Canucks roster out of training camp. After his rookie season, he was traded to Florida, who in turn traded him to Pittsburgh at the 2019 trade deadline. McCann was a productive scorer for the Penguins, who traded the forward to Toronto before the expansion draft. The Maple Leafs, who the Kraken face Tuesday night, left him unprotected.
With his effusive approach toward his teammates and his love for Seattle fans, McCann appears a perfect fit as a team leader and mentor even as a 25-year-old.
"I've been through a lot of adversity in this league," said McCann earlier this year when asked about his determination to encourage teammates, including less noticeable moments such as tapping a goalie's pads after a great save in practice or conversing with players basking in rare sun while waiting for a team bus to leave in Anaheim. "I feel like my positive approach can rub off on my teammates, especially the younger guys."