Analytics with Alison: Kraken Trades by the Numbers

It's been a whirlwind 72 hours for Kraken fans observing general manager Ron Francis make six total trades, five involving current Seattle players for the return of 10 NHL Draft picks and forward Daniel Sprong. The Kraken's haul of draft choices power-boosts their arsenal of tools to strengthen the roster going forward - and represent the most acquired by any club in this year's deadline activities.

But how do we evaluate these moves? It can be hard to compare the proverbial apples to apples when players currently in the NHL are exchanged for players that will be selected in coming months or years.
But thanks to

, we can give it a go.
Iyer has utilized the work of The Athletic's Dom Luszczyszyn and his "
Game Score Valued Added
" (GSVA) model (you can read how Luszczyszyn applies GSVA to draft picks
HERE
), to build out a Trade Machine that can quickly compare what's "spent" and what's returned in any trade.
Before we look at each trade, a few important notes. As Iyer points out

of his trade machine, this exercise isn't about appointing any move as a "win" or a "loss." As Iyer says, "focus less on 'who wins' and more on 'what are the valuable components of this deal and does it make sense for the teams here based on their trajectory.'"
A team's overall strategy frames any decision-making process. Francis has been clear the picks acquired these past few days may not just be for drafting young players. They will also be currency for trades this off-season to bring instant roster additions to Seattle.
"We didn't do all this to draft and develop and be good five years from now," Francis said. "We did this to give us the tools to try and be better next season."
So, with that in mind ... let's dig in.

The first of Francis' trades reinforced what he had said prior to the deadline - the Kraken wouldn't be afraid to use the cap space they had to facilitate trades. What's more, this transaction outlined more of what was to come - accumulating draft picks, and as much as trades uproot families and lifestyles, get departing players to a destination that is a desirable landing spot for them. A smart move all around.

Iyer was first to note that while the value numbers may look slightly skewed towards Toronto, the Trade Machine likes the long-term impact for Seattle. This is - in part - because the acquired draft picks will continue to accrue value while, right now, Mark Giordano and Colin Blackwell are viewed as having impact only this season.
In two moves for three players, Francis already had six draft picks, three in the second round alone.

Francis said this was an unexpected move for his group. But when he was approached with the opportunity to get yet another second-round pick, he took advantage of the opportunity.
This transaction appears a savvy move not just because it adds to the coffers of draft picks for Seattle (and at the higher end too), this moves gives Will Borgen and Haydn Fleury the opportunity to show their abilities with a more established role on the blue line for Seattle during the next 19 games. That helps in talent evaluation for the future.

Yet another draft pick comes to Seattle in this move. Again, this is when it's important to remember in Francis' mindset, volume of picks can matter just as much as placement. The more picks you have, the more you can bundle to facilitate a trade for a current NHL player or for a higher spot in any given draft.
Mason Appleton is another player who can return to a desirable location. For him, Winnipeg is a familiar organization where he has enjoyed success.

Francis' final trade involving a Kraken player checked a lot of boxes: Use of cap space to make the move, addition of multiple picks, a player to help replenish the roster in return, all while sending Marcus Johansson to a market he knows.
These valuations don't yet tell the whole story. For some decisions, it will rightly take time to see how each move delivers return to the involved organizations. But these trades do show a clear plan executed by the Kraken front office, the result of which gives them a strong reserve of currency to spend to obtain the assets they want going forward - be that through drafting or trade.
One note: The trade for Victor Rask was not included in this exercise as he is expected to report to American Hockey League affiliate Charlotte and no draft picks were part of the transaction.
All visualizations by Prashanth Iyer, data via Dom Luszczyszyn