Capitals general manager Chris Patrick stated in May that the Caps would be willing to get “aggressive” in acquiring players this offseason, and mentioned adding another “high-skilled” forward to the team’s roster. After failing to sign Nikolaj Ehlers to a contract in free agency, the Capitals will now need to turn to the trade market to achieve that goal.
According to recent reports, the Seattle Kraken could potentially provide a cross-conference solution in the form of high-scoring forward Jared McCann. During an appearance on the Sekeres and Price Show, The Fourth Period’s David Pagnotta stated that the Kraken remain open to moving McCann.
“Jared McCann is another name to look at, out in Seattle,” Pagnotta said. “He’s out there as well. His name started to pop up around the trade deadline; he’s still available. He’s somebody that we’ve been hearing that Seattle is also open to moving.”
McCann has been the Kraken’s leading scorer in all four seasons they have existed as an expansion franchise, initially arriving in Seattle through the 2021 NHL Expansion Draft from the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 29-year-old forward has posted at least 61 points in the last three seasons, recording a career high 70 points (40g, 30a) for the Kraken during the 2022-23 campaign.
The Kraken are McCann’s fourth team, as he also spent three seasons with the Pittsburgh Penguins (2018-2021), three seasons with the Florida Panthers (2016-2019), and one season with the Vancouver Canucks (2015-16). The Canucks selected McCann with the 24th overall selection in the 2014 NHL Draft from the OHL’s Soo Greyhounds.
McCann has played at all strengths for the Kraken over his four seasons with the club, averaging 16:38 of time-on-ice per game, with 2:36 coming on the power play and 1:04 as a penalty killer. He has been one of the most productive players in the league, compared to his ice time, ranking 19th in total points per 60 (2.42) over the past three years. His goal-per-60 rate (1.2) is even better, ranking 6th in the league, above names like Filip Forsberg (1.18), Nathan MacKinnon (1.16), William Nylander (1.16), Kyle Connor (1.16), Jason Robertson (1.13), Jack Eichel (1.12), Alex Ovechkin (1.11), and Connor McDavid (1.07).
McCann is just over three months younger than Ehlers, and unlike Ehlers, has hit the 70-point plateau and has a 40-goal season. The Capitals were clearly happy to offer Ehlers a long-term contract, so committing a couple of years to a slightly younger player likely still fits the desired age range of their roster. He also has a prior connection to a current Caps assistant coach, playing under Scott Allen with the Panthers.
The Ontario native is signed through the next two seasons at a $5 million cap hit. According to PuckPedia, the Capitals have $4.125 million in cap space, an easily navigable situation for Patrick if the club were to bring McCann in.
McCann also has positional flexibility that a forward like Ehlers does not, playing both wing and center at a high level. Given the conundrum the Capitals have with Connor McMichael and choosing which position he fits best, acquiring a versatile player like McCann would make that decision-making process much less high-stakes.
