Firepower added in the forward group: Kraken sign Chandler Stephenson to 7-year deal
By Silvia Leija Rosas, edited by Charles Hamaker
Seattle, WA - Seattle Kraken general manager Ron Francis continued with major additions to the roster before the ink could dry on the largest contract in franchise history, on just the first day of free agency. The Kraken signed Vegas Golden Knights center, Chandler Stephenson to a seven-year, $43.75 million contract with an annual average value of $6.25M. It’s an interesting add for the Kraken to their forward group considering the need for more winger scoring help this offseason, but if Seattle is able to get the most out of Stephenson with a better shooting percentage and the ability to drive the net, the boosted offense will be there.
Stephenson joined the Golden Knights a season after winning the Stanley Cup with the Washington Capitals in 2018. The 30-year-old became a fixture in Vegas’ top six, and their power play. Stephenson also was a critical part of their 2023 Stanley Cup win, as the Golden Knights handled the Florida Panthers.
“We’re excited to welcome Chandler to the Kraken organization. He brings a winning pedigree and offensive consistency to our team, and we are looking forward to him being a part of our lineup this season.”
With the Kraken extending a qualifying offer to Matty Beniers, Shane Wright’s more-than-likely ascension to the Kraken this year, and Yanni Gourde’s veteran presence, Stephenson is being added to a lineup with plenty of center depth and coming off what the hockey analysts are calling “a horrific year with Vegas.” While there was talk of adding another center around the time that last season ended, the Kraken adding a big name center as opposed to a big name winger is an interesting decision.
Photo breakdown from @IneffectiveMath on Twitter.
While his faceoffs have consistently been on the winning end with a 52.6 average percentage across eight seasons, Stephenson has not proven to be a play-driver. Last season, Stephenson recorded 16 goals and 35 assists, including 13 power-play points in 75 games for the Golden Knights. The team saw a drop in expected and actual goals, and allowed more with Stephenson on the ice. That being said, he and Mark Stone (known LTIR-er) were once lauded for having the same brain and what can a guy do when you lose half of your two-way pair?
Still, a seven-year contract for a 30-year-old seems like asking for a little too much faith from the Kraken fanbase. With Stephenson’s and Montour’s additions, and still little known regarding progress on new deals for Eeli Tolvanen or Matty Beniers, it’s safe to assume the Kraken are ready to hit the salary cap. It will not be a quiet offseason for the Seattle Kraken, as moves will need to be made in order to give the team some relief financially.
Numbers and notes on Stephenson
Stephenson, 30, totaled 51 points (16 goals, 35 assists) in 75 regular-season games with the Vegas Golden Knights, making the 2023-24 season the third consecutive year in which he reached the 50-point plateau. He finished the year ranked in the top five on Vegas’ roster in assists (fourth), points (fifth), game-winning goals (four; fourth) and shorthanded goals (two; tied first). Stephenson appeared in seven Stanley Cup Playoff games with the Golden Knights in 2023-24, registering one assist.
The six-foot, 209-pound forward has recorded 270 points (89 goals, 181 assists) in 495 regular-season games with the Washington Capitals and Vegas Golden Knights. He posted consecutive 60-point-plus seasons in 2021-22 and 2022-23, notching 64 points in the former year and 65 in the latter. His efforts in 2022-23 earned him a bid to the 2023 NHL All-Star Game in Florida. The forward has added 39 points (15 goals, 24 assists) in 95 career playoff games, winning the 2018 Stanley Cup with the Washington Capitals and the 2023 Stanley Cup with the Vegas Golden Knights. He leaves Vegas ranked sixth on their all-time scoring list with 237 points (75 goals, 162 assists).
Prior to his professional career, Stephenson spent four seasons (2010-11 to 2013-14) in the Western Hockey League (WHL) with the Regina Pats, registering 195 points (73 goals, 122 assists) in 230 games. He appeared in the CHL Top Prospects Game in 2011-12 and was named to the WHL East Second All-Star Team in 2013-14 after setting WHL career highs across the scoresheet with 89 points (30 goals, 59 assists). He led the Pats in points and assists and tied for third in goals in 2013-14, ranking in the top 15 in assists (seventh) and points (14th) among all WHL skaters that season.
The Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, native represented his country at the 2010-11 U17 World Hockey Challenge. He was originally selected by Washington in the third round (77th overall) of the 2012 NHL Draft.
What’s next?
Following the news of the Montour and Stephenson signings, the Seattle Kraken have development camp beginning tomorrow, Tuesday, July 2nd, as they will bring in this years draft class and a slew of their other prospects to the Kraken Community Iceplex for four-days of activities both on and off the ice. Expect to see the Kraken make more moves, whether it’s via free agency or trade, during development camp as Ron Francis and Seattle look to ensure that they’ll return to the postseason this year. Development Camp is open to ALL fans on Tuesday, July 2nd, and Friday, July 5th, but Wednesday, July 3rd is exclusively for season ticket members. You can find more information regarding development camp by clicking here.
Instagram: @CirclingSeattleSports Twitter: @CirclingSports Threads: @CirclingSeattleSports Tiktok: @CirclingSeattleSports Facebook: Circling Seattle Sports
〰️
Instagram: @CirclingSeattleSports Twitter: @CirclingSports Threads: @CirclingSeattleSports Tiktok: @CirclingSeattleSports Facebook: Circling Seattle Sports 〰️
Check out our previous Seattle Kraken articles here.
Check out our previous articles written by Silvia Leija Rosas here, and follow her on Twitter here.
Cover photo by Jeff Bottari
Support the work of Circling Seattle Sports by checking out our merchandise!