SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - APRIL 16: Kole Lind #73 of the Seattle Kraken warms up before the game against the New Jersey Devils at Climate Pledge Arena on April 16, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)Photo: Getty Images
A relatively quiet last several days in free agency for the Seattle Kraken was pierced with a jab of the pen on a pair of depth players returning, with the Kraken announcing on Thursday that forwards Kole Lind and Carsen Twarynski are returning for the 2022-23 season and have agreed to terms on one-year, two-way contracts.
Both players earned significant roles in the minor leagues last season and have structured contracts that will change salary tiers depending on if they play at NHL or American Hockey League level. Lind will be on the books for $850,000 at the NHL level, and Twarynski at $750,000.
Likely candidates who could make an impact with the AHL expansion Coachella Valley Firebirds, both Lind (Vancouver Canucks) and Twarynski (Philadelphia Flyers) were originally selected by the Kraken in last July’s expansion draft.
Lind, 23, played a major role on the eventual division champion Charlotte Checkers, logging 17 goals and 35 points along with 106 penalty minutes in 46 AHL games. With just seven games of NHL experience in Vancouver prior to last season, he managed sporadic trips to NHL duty in Seattle, mainly in October and December until a call-up in March necessitated his spot in the lineup around the NHL trade deadline.
Lind responded with dependable play in a depth role, bagging seven points in 19 games while seeing his ice time increase, no less than 10 minutes per game over the course of the final 12 games for his season.
As a result, his play opened the door for perhaps a graduated role with more ice time in the Kraken lineup. The 6-foot-1 forward will be looking to build off a resume of two goals and eight points in 30 career NHL games.
Twarynski, 24, failed to earn a call-up last season but only missed one game for Charlotte, collecting 18 points in 71 AHL games. A 6-foot-2 forward who plays a physical brand, his last taste of NHL action came two seasons ago with the Philadelphia Flyers, with a pair of penalty minutes in seven games.
Twarynski has one goal in 22 career NHL games.
Just several days removed from the Kraken landing top ranked prospect Shane Wright at fourth overall in the NHL Draft, free agency opened up NHL teams on July 13 with day one Kraken headliners coming in forward Andre Burakovsky from Colorado, defenseman Justin Schultz from Washington, and goaltender Martin Jones from the Flyers.
The Kraken currently have over $9 million left to spend in available salary cap space, according to www.capfriendly.com.