The Seattle Kraken have made a big move in their inaugural season, signing defenseman Cale Fleury to a two-year contract. Fleury was acquired from the Montreal Canadiens in the 2021 NHL Expansion Draft and was set to become a restricted free agent this summer.
The two-year deal is worth $2.3 million per season and will keep Fleury in Seattle through the 2022-23 season. The 22-year-old defenseman has already made an impact on the Kraken, playing in all but one game this season and recording four points (two goals, two assists).
Fleury was originally drafted by the Canadiens in the third round of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. He played parts of three seasons in Montreal, recording 11 points (three goals, eight assists) in 64 games. He was traded to the Kraken in exchange for a 2022 fifth-round draft pick.
The Kraken are thrilled to have a young, talented defenseman like Fleury locked up for the next two seasons. He has already shown his ability to contribute offensively and his defensive play has been solid as well. He will be a key part of the Kraken’s blue line for the foreseeable future.
The signing of Fleury also means that the Kraken have avoided arbitration with him. Arbitration can be a long and drawn out process that can lead to animosity between the team and player. By signing Fleury to a two-year deal, the Kraken have ensured that they will not have to go through arbitration with him and can focus on other areas of their team.
Overall, this is a great move by the Kraken and one that will pay dividends for years to come. Fleury is a young, talented defenseman who will be a key part of the team’s success for the next two seasons. The Kraken have made a wise decision in avoiding arbitration and locking up Fleury for the foreseeable future.
