NHL Free Agency kicks off at 9 am Pacific Time on Monday. So by lunchtime, Seattle Kraken general manager Ron Francis will have locked up Sam Reinhart, Steven Stamkos, and Jonathan Marchessault; a haul so overwhelming, the NHL will consider cancelling the 2024-25 season and awarding the Stanley Cup to the Kraken by unanimous decree.
At least, that’s the fantasy scenario – one shared by 31 other fan bases.
The reality is quite a bit more complicated. Even if the salary cap weren’t an impenetrable blockade to unlimited player acquisition (it is), there are so many other factors. Start with all those other clubs bidding against Seattle. Free agents have to want to come here. Their agents and Francis have to negotiate a contract agreeable to both sides. And there’s the fit with players already under contract.
Don’t take my word for it. Francis discusses free agency fantasy vs. reality in this Kraken Reaction!
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