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Report: Kraken signing forward & Stanley Cup champion Andre Burakovsky

General manager Ron Francis is reportedly working on a deal with winger Andre Burakovsky. Swedish journalist Per Bjurman was the first to report.

The tweet translates to “rumors place Burakovsky in Seattle.” TSN’s Chris Johnston confirmed the report, and added that it’s expected to be a five-year deal for Burakovsky in Seattle.

According to Evolving Hockey’s contract projection model, Burakovksy was expected to command around $6.8 million AAV on a 5-year deal. But it appears he won’t get that, as Darren Dreger reports the AAV is $5.5 million.

Burakovsky, similar to Nazem Kadri, is coming off of a career-best season with the Stanley Cup champion Colorado Avalanche. He totaled 61 points in 80 games playing primarily with…Nazem Kadri. Burakovsky is expected to come in a bit cheaper than whatever deal Kadri signs, considering Kadri plays the more valuable center position and is the better defensive forward. Burakovsky doesn’t add much on the defensive side of things, but whoa boy can he produce some offense.

Burakovsky is only 27 years old, and there’s no reason to think he can’t play up to the value of this five year contract. He immediately slides into the Kraken’s top six, likely as the first line winger opposite Jordan Eberle. The Kraken forward group with Burakovsky added could look something like this, with all these players signed through at least the next two seasons:

Burakovsky – Beniers – Eberle

Schwartz – Wright – McCann

Wennberg – Gourde – Tanev

There’s a lot of weight on those young centers, but if they play up to their potential this is a great lineup on the front end. Most of those skaters play a great two-way game, so a real offensive forward like Burakovsky fills a much-needed role in the Kraken’s top-six.

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