TAMPA, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 30: Eeli Tolvanen #20 of the Seattle Kraken shoots in the first period during a game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Amalie Arena on October 30, 2023 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Eeli Tolvanen’s future is signed, sealed, and delivered.
The Seattle Kraken and Tolvanen, a restricted free agent this summer, wrapped up a two-year extension on Friday worth over $3.4 million annually. The deal was first announced by Francis, addressing a morning crowd at Kraken Community Iceplex for the team’s development camp scrimmage finale, eliciting an ovation-level roar.
“Eeli has been an important part of our organization since joining the Kraken two seasons ago,” said Francis in a team statement.
Tolvanen, a deadly sharpshooter while frequently grouped with Yanni Gourde and Oliver Bjorkstrand, earned the raise by scoring 16 goals with a career-high 41 points while missing just one game this past season, coming on the heels of an 18-goal campaign last year that lifted the Kraken into the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Where Tolvanen fits in the lineup with regards to specific linemates remains to be seen – he’ll be on his third head coach in as many years. A slow start with two goals in 13 games under John Hynes in Nashville led to his placement on waivers two years ago – where the Kraken acted fast and claimed him for an instant boost under Dave Hakstol.
Tolvanen started fast in Kraken colors, making his debut after the new year and scored 16 goals in just 48 games for Seattle. His penchant for clutch goals in high-profile games included the first playoff goal in Kraken history – a game one upset in Colorado and leading to a seven-game series win – along with the first goal in the Winter Classic this past New Year’s Day, a 3-0 win over Vegas at T-Mobile Park.
Tolvanen has 119 points and 57 goals in 264 career games with Nashville and Seattle, awaiting his new head coach, Dan Bylsma.
The Kraken have a projected $8.1 million in available cap space, according to capfriendly.com, after signing Tolvanen. Currently, center Matty Beniers is awaiting an extension, a fellow restricted free agent.