SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - NOVEMBER 19: Darren Helm #43 of the Colorado Avalanche and Jeremy Lauzon #55 of the Seattle Kraken fight for the puck during the third period at Climate Pledge Arena on November 19, 2021 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)Photo: Getty Images
General manager Ron Francis made sure the phone was put to good use on Sunday.
Following an afternoon trade of captain Mark Giordano and forward Colin Blackwell to the Toronto Maple Leafs for a trio of second round picks, the Kraken made more moves Sunday evening.
Giordano, Blackwell head to Toronto in Sunday afternoon trade
Defenseman Jeremy Lauzon was dealt to the Nashville Predators in exchange for a second round pick in the 2022 NHL Draft, and forward Mason Appleton was reunited with the Winnipeg Jets, fetching a fourth round pick in 2023 for the Kraken.
The action on Sunday completed a run for the Kraken, acquiring draft capital in the form of five overall picks – including a boost to five they have this summer in the first or second round – for four players who have expiring contracts as free agents at the end of the season.
Lauzon, 24, earned six points in 53 games with the Kraken after being selected from the Boston Bruins in the 2021 NHL Expansion Draft. Known for a physical and abrasive game on the blueline, he’ll make Nashville his third NHL team with 13 games of Stanley Cup Playoff experience.
“Jeremy brought a physical edge to our blueline and we are thankful for his contributions to our team,” said Francis in a team statement.
A second round pick by the Bruins in the 2015 draft, Lauzon is a pending restricted free agent at the end of the season.
Appleton, 26, is headed back to Winnipeg, the same team the Kraken got him from in last summer’s expansion draft. Appleton has six goals and 17 points in 49 games this season and previously had three points in eight playoff games last year for the Jets, who upset Edmonton in the first round with a four game sweep.
The sixth round pick of the Jets in the 2015 NHL Draft, he has 187 career NHL games of experience and is also a pending restricted free agent.
“Mason brought a hard-working effort to the rink and we want to thank him for his time with the Kraken,” said Francis.
Giordano and Blackwell, both due to have expiring contracts as unrestricted free agents at the end of this season, were sent to the Maple Leafs earlier on Sunday in exchange for three picks in the second round – one each this season, in 2023, and 2024.
The NHL trade deadline is Monday at Noon PT.