Seattle, WA
What to know about the trade deadline for the Seattle Kraken
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – FEBRUARY 06: Brandon Tanev #13 of the Seattle Kraken pushes the puck as Steven Lorentz #18 of the Toronto Maple Leafs pursues during the third period of a game at Climate Pledge Arena on February 6, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Christopher Mast / NHLI / Getty Images)
With the Seattle Kraken set to return to the ice later this week following the 4 Nations Face-Off break, the NHL trade deadline is now looming just two weeks away with decisions possible for several pieces of the roster.
The Kraken will not make the playoffs this season. They are 11 points out of the final playoff spot in the Western Conference and have played two more games than the Vancouver Canucks, who hold that spot in the standings. Seattle would need to win at least 20 of their final 25 games to have a chance to back-door into the postseason.
The reality is the team will be sellers at the trade deadline and very few pieces of the roster should be considered untouchable. So who could be headed out of Seattle in the next two weeks before the trade deadline on March 7?
BRANDON TANEV
There is very little reason for forward Brandon Tanev to be on the Kraken’s roster after the trade deadline.
An original member of the Kraken from the NHL Expansion Draft, Tanev, 33, is in the final year of his contract and is set to be an unrestricted free agent this summer. A noted fan favorite, Tanev has nine goals and eight assists in 55 games played with Seattle this season. However, his $3.5 million AAV (average annual value) contract is too pricey for his limited fourth-line role.
Tanev has valuable traits that other teams could find useful for the playoffs ahead. Tanev’s speed is one of his greatest assets, and he’s a proven option on penalty kill units. However, Tanev’s offensive ability is extremely limited, and he’s realistically only a depth option for competitive teams.
The Kraken could retain up to 50 percent of Tanev’s salary for the rest of the season in a trade, which would potentially allow them to secure a better return in a deal. He does have a 10-team no-trade list, per PuckPedia.com.
YANNI GOURDE
Like Tanev, center Yanni Gourde is an original Kraken who is in the final year of his current contract and is set to be an unrestricted free agent this summer.
Gourde, 33, has been one of the Kraken’s cornerstone players, and has served as an assistant captain for each of his four seasons in Seattle. He’s embraced being a part of the Kraken’s foundation and has been a productive depth forward for the team.
Gourde accepted having his playing time reduced this season while centering the fourth line behind free agent addition Chandler Stephenson, and former draft picks Matty Beniers and Shane Wright. He had six goals and 10 assists in 35 games this season before he was sidelined in January with a sports hernia that later required surgery.
Gourde’s contract also outpaces his current production as he’s earning $5.17 million in AAV from Seattle this season. That’s a contract that is too rich for a fourth-line center.
However, Gourde won’t play another game before the trade deadline due to his recovery timeline from surgery. That reality could make Gourde harder to move at the deadline. He also has a 23-team no-trade list – per PuckPedia.com – and could veto a trade.
A contract extension for Gourde isn’t outside the realm of possibility either, but it would have to be at a much reduced rate to his existing deal to make sense for Seattle. Eventually, the Kraken’s center depth will include 2024 first-round pick Berkly Catton as well, which will affect future roster planning.
Gourde can play center and on the wing and is an effective penalty kill option as well. His ability to play down the middle still makes him a potentially valuable addition for playoff teams. The two-time Stanley Cup champion also has a strong reputation around the league.
JAMIE OLEKSIAK
A left-handed defenseman and other original Kraken, Jamie Oleksiak has one more year remaining on his existing contract as he’ll be a free agent at the end of the 2025-26 season.
Oleksiak, 32, is a defensively-focused blueliner who has more skill in his game than you’d expect from his 6-foot-7 frame. He’s been a fixture on Seattle’s penalty kill units throughout his tenure in Seattle and has four goals and nine assists in 57 games played this year.
Though Oleksiak doesn’t make use of his size as much as some would like to see, he would still be a solid depth addition to a team in search of defensive help.
Unlike Tanev and Gourde, Oleksiak having another year on his contract means it isn’t urgent for Seattle to consider moving him before the trade deadline. But that extra year on his contract could be seen as a plus for teams looking to make an addition as well.
Oleksiak is currently earning $4.6 million in AAV and is part of a rather pricey defensive core for Seattle. With Ryker Evans set to be a restricted free agent who could see a significant raise this offseason, moving Oleksiak is certainly an option to consider.
Oleksiak has a 16-team no-trade list, per PuckPedia.com.
OLIVER BJORKSTRAND
Winger Oliver Bjorkstrand might be the most valuable piece that could leave the Kraken ahead of the trade deadline.
Bjorkstrand, 29, is fourth on the Kraken in scoring this season with 15 goals and 20 assists in 56 games played. A right-handed shot, Bjorkstrand has been consistently productive since mid-November. After a slow start to the year, Bjorkstrand has 11 goals and 16 assists in his last 37 games played, which trails only Shane Wright for most points on the Kraken over that span.
Like Oleksiak, Bjorkstrand has another year remaining on his existing contract, which is worth $5.4 million a year in AAV. However, he’s also the youngest player on this list so far. He was Seattle’s representative at the 2024 All-Star Game and had his most productive season of his career with 59 points on 20 goals and 39 assists.
There isn’t a pressing need to move Bjorkstrand, but he might be their most valuable asset at the deadline. If the Kraken get an advantageous offer, it’s a decision they would need to consider.
LESS LIKELY OPTIONS
Jared McCann:
McCann, 28, is the Kraken’s leading scorer with 42 points in 57 games. However, he’s also on his lowest goalscoring pace of his four seasons with Seattle, with just 14 goals this season so far.
McCann would likely be the Kraken’s most valuable asset in the trade market. However, his $5 million AAV is terrific value for Seattle as well and would take quite a valuable return to consider moving. He also has a 10-team no-trade list, per PuckPedia.com.
Jaden Schwartz:
Schwartz, 32, is on pace for his most productive season in his four years with the Kraken. Schwartz has 18 goals and 18 assists in 57 games played for Seattle, which ranks third on the team behind McCann and Stephenson (40).
Schwartz has been a part of Seattle most productive line over the last month alongside Beniers and Kaapo Kakko. With that production, Schwartz would have value. But his value to the Kraken alongside Beniers and Kakko might be more valuable to Seattle and his $5.5 million AAV isn’t prohibitive either. He has a 16-team no-trade list, per PuckPedia.com.
Eeli Tolvanen:
Tolvanen, 25, has been on a heater over the last month with eight goals and three assists in 16 games played for Seattle since January 9. His presence in the locker room has also helped Kakko – a fellow Finn – transition to the Kraken after his trade from the New York Rangers in December. His 175 hits also leads the team as he’s been a willing forechecker.
Tolvanen has one year remaining on his contract with Seattle and earns $3.48 million in AAV with the team.
André Burakovsky:
Burakovsky, 30, would almost certainly be traded if he could. However, his contract makes that an unlikely proposition for Seattle.
Burakovsky was Seattle’s leading scorer two seasons ago with 13 goals and 26 assists in 49 games played before an injury ultimately forced him to miss the rest of the season. After surgery, Burakovsky has been unable to recapture his old form. He had just 16 points on seven goals and nine assists in 49 games last season, and has just five goals and 16 assists in 54 games this year.
Burakovsky has two more seasons on his contract with Seattle through the 2026-27 season at $5.5 million in AAV. The Kraken might have to attach a significant prospect to Burakovsky in order to trade his contract to another team. He also carries a 10-team no-trade list, per PuckPedia.com.
The Source: Original reporting by FOX 13 Seattle.
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Next month the Seattle City Council could take up legislation to make street closures an official tool to prevent gun violence. This comes after residents near Aurora Avenue North created barriers to block vehicle access to their streets last week, in an attempt to keep drive-by shootings from flowing into their neighborhoods.
Councilmember Debora Juarez represents North Seattle’s District 5 and has championed the proposal, which she said was submitted to the Council during Bruce Harrell’s mayoral administration but then stalled.
Juarez said city agencies including the transportation department close streets for various reasons already, and should add criteria around public safety.
“If we have the wherewithal and common sense to protect pedestrians and bike riders and safe crossing for kids at school, we sure as hell can protect communities from stray bullets and gun violence and shootings in their neighborhoods,” she said.
A resident of the Aurora neighborhood whose first name is Jake, he asked that his last name not be shared, told the City Council Tuesday that a bullet recently struck his house, outside his 6-week-old infant’s bedroom. He said the Seattle Police Department characterized the recent gun shots on Aurora as mostly related to prostitution and gang violence.
“The city is allowing unchecked prostitution, human trafficking, and related violence” on Aurora, he said.
RELATED: Seattle’s traffic deaths are climbing. One City Council member wants an audit to find out why
Juarez said she is working with Councilmember Eddie Lin, who chairs the Land Use Committee, as well as Councilmember Bob Kettle, who chairs the Public Safety Committee, to introduce emergency legislation that could take effect upon passage by the council and approval by the mayor.
Where city code allows road closures for construction or to protect the public from various hazards, the new language would allow the police chief to recommend closure of a street or alley to prevent criminal activity. Juarez said the closure could be temporary.
“If the chief of police tells you there’s criminal activity, there’s a serious uptick in gun violence — let’s put up these barriers for 30 days, 60 days, 90 days,” Juarez said.
But she noted that officials will have to be careful not to simply push the violence onto other streets nearby.
“If you pull a string here it’s going to show up over there,” she said. “Those are the policy questions that have to be hashed out.”
RELATED: Seattle City Council approves new police contract, boosting pay and expanding crisis response
In a joint statement with Juarez on Friday, Mayor Katie Wilson called the violence along Aurora “alarming and unacceptable.”
But she said the barriers installed by residents needed to be replaced with “temporary traffic calming treatments to reduce cut-through traffic and address the access needs of those living in the area” as well as access for emergency responders and trash pick-up. According to KOMO, city crews replaced the metal planters with staggered, concrete barriers on Friday.
Juarez said she wants the city to act with urgency to address the residents’ concerns. She said the legislation could be heard in the Public Safety Committee on June 23.
SEATTLE – Transportation officials are warning travelers to prepare for heavy traffic congestion and significant delays as massive construction closures hit highways across the region and light rail lines this weekend.
Major highway closures this weekend
What we know:
The Washington State Department of Transportation said major construction projects are taking over several regional corridors from Friday, May 29, until the morning of Monday, June 1.
Crews are squeezing a large amount of work into a short spring window so they can pause construction during Seattle’s “summer of soccer.”
This means drivers will face concentrated traffic impacts now rather than disruptions spread throughout the summer season.
Here’s what is scheduled for this weekend:
- Kirkland (Southbound I-405): All southbound lanes will be closed from Northeast 124th Street to Northeast 70th Place from 11 p.m. Friday until 4 a.m. Monday for fish barrier correction work. Miles-long backups are expected.
- Seattle (Northbound I-5): Two northbound lanes will remain closed across the Ship Canal Bridge, further restricting traffic inside the city.
- Seattle (Eastbound SR 520): Eastbound lanes and all connecting ramps between I-5 and Montlake Boulevard will close from 11 p.m. Friday until 5 a.m. Monday. Crews are preparing for a traffic switch on the Montlake off-ramp. Only transit and HOV 3+ vehicles will be allowed to use the Montlake Boulevard direct access ramps to eastbound SR 520 across Lake Washington.
- Issaquah/Snoqualmie (Westbound I-90): The eastbound SR 18/Snoqualmie Parkway on-ramp to westbound I-90, along with the westbound I-90 off-ramp to westbound SR 18, will close for paving from 9 p.m. Friday until 5 a.m. Monday.
Timeline:
The closures start Friday evening, with I-90 ramp closures beginning at 9 p.m., followed by the full I-405 and SR 520 closures at 11 p.m. All highways are scheduled to fully reopen to regular traffic by 4 a.m. or 5 a.m. on Monday, June 1.
WSDOT also said much of the work is weather-dependent and may be rescheduled if it rains.
Light rail disruptions
In addition to the highway gridlock, Sound Transit passengers will face major service disruptions on Saturday, May 30, and Sunday, May 31.
Maintenance crews are shutting down parts of the region’s light rail network to complete rail replacement through downtown Seattle stations and perform work on the Crosslake Connection.
During the weekend shutdown, the 1 Line will completely close between the Capitol Hill and Stadium stations. Simultaneously, the 2 Line will be closed between Lynnwood City Center and South Bellevue stations.
The Source: Information in this story came from the Washington State Department of Transportation and Sound Transit.
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Eight dead in Longview chemical implosion
Eight people are dead and three remain missing after a massive chemical implosion at a Longview facility. Rescue teams face chest-deep water and a caustic “white liquor” that is so corrosive it is eating through their personal protective equipment. The EPA is actively monitoring the area after 500,000 gallons of the material seeped into nearby neighborhood dikes.
LONGVIEW, Wash. – After a massive chemical implosion at a Longview paper mill killed 11 people, little is known about the victims.
Eight people are confirmed dead, and three others remain missing after a tank of white liquor imploded at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging facility on Tuesday, May 26. Eight others also suffered injuries, including chemical burns and inhalation.
Longview Fire Chief Brad Hannig confirmed in a press conference Thursday that crews recovered six of the nine workers who were unaccounted for following the implosion. Two workers who made it out of the site also died, making the death toll 11.
Search and recovery efforts are underway for the three victims who remain missing. Because of the toxic chemicals, the victims’ remains must be decontaminated before the coroner can begin the formal identification process.
Keep reading for details on what we know about the victims in the Longview chemical implosion.
Two victims identified
As of Thursday, only five of the 11 victims in the implosion have been identified by family members:
Jared Ammons:
Family and friends described Ammons as a “loving husband, devoted father, cherished son and caring brother.” He leaves behind his wife, two kids, and another child on the way.
Those who knew Ammons said’ his loss has left an unimaginable hole in their hearts. A GoFundMe is raising money for his family as they navigate the recent tragedy.
Gilbert Bernal:
Friends said Bernal was one of the best people they’ve ever met, and “was a Godly man in every sense of the word.” He was a grandfather and an electrician at the facility.
His GoFundMe said Bernal was loved by many and worked hard to provide for his family. The online fundraiser will go towards his family’s funeral expenses and other needs.
CJ Doran:
Doran, who was 26 years old, is described by friends as a selfless and deeply caring husband and father. He was “the spiritual leader of their family, the joy of their home, and the family provider.” A GoFundMe will benefit his wife and family during this troubling time.
John Forsberg:
Forsberg was a father of two young children who lost his life in the Nippon plant implosion. Forsberg’s family asks for privacy as they process this tragedy, with an online fundraiser going towards supporting his children and memorial-related expenses.
Braydon Finkas:
Finkas was an electrician at the plant, whose “sense of humor and kindness touched everyone who knew him.” He was known for his love of golf, brisket-making, breweries and his wife, Kaitlyn.
Rex Czuba, a friend who organized Finkas’ GoFundMe, said he would always be there to help and would never turn down a request from a friend or neighbor. “He was a really big part of the town,” Czuba said. “He really jumped in and became a part of the community so quickly.”
Unidentified implosion victims
What’s next:
There is still little information about the rest of the workers who were killed, hurt, or still missing following the chemical implosion. City officials or the Cowlitz County Medical Examiner’s Office will release details as they continue the recovery and identification process.
Massive chemical flush underway in Longview
On the second day of recovery following what the governor called the deadliest industrial tragedy in modern state history, the Department of Ecology is flushing a massive 500,000-gallon toxic chemical spill away from Longview’s water supply.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
The Source: Information in this story came from GoFundMe, the Longview Fire Department, the Associated Press and previous FOX 13 Seattle reporting.
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