Welcome back to Around the League — the series here at CanucksArmy where we dive into news and notes from around the National Hockey League — oftentimes through a Vancouver Canucks-tinted lens. 
Puck drop for the Vancouver Canucks inches closer and closer, as we are now three days from the Young Stars Classic, nine days from Training Camp and 29 days until the opening game of the season kicks off against the Calgary Flames.
But before we get there, we’ve got some news around the league to break.
Kraken sign Adam Larsson
The Seattle Kraken have had a busy offseason thus far. On July 1st, they spent a lot of money, bringing in former Florida Panthers defenceman Brandon Montour and ex-Vegas Golden Knights centreman Chandler Stephenson on big seven-year contracts. They also handled some business in-house, re-signing restricted free agents Eeli Tolvanen and Matty Beniers on multi-year extensions.
That list grows today as the Kraken signed defenceman Adam Larsson to a four-year, $21 million contract, carrying a $5.25 million average annual value (AAV).
Larsson became a member of the Kraken when General Manager Ron Francis selected him in their 2021 expansion draft from the Edmonton Oilers. The Swedish defenceman was drafted fourth overall by the New Jersey Devils in 2011. Five years into his NHL career, he was traded to the Edmonton Oilers in a one-for-one exchange for Taylor Hall.
Since joining the Kraken, the 31-year-old has been a steady defensive asset on the back end. He’s logged strong minutes while remaining durable, averaging at least 22:16 minutes in a single season while missing just one game.
While the point totals don’t jump off the page, they are impressive, given that he’s a relied-on defensive defenceman. He’s scored 20 goals, with 56 assists for 76 points with a plus-10 rating over the last three seasons.
Larsson also made his presence felt in the Kraken’s inaugural playoff run. He scored four goals and eight points with a plus-two rating. The 6’4″ defenceman logged a team-high 25:11 minutes per game during the Kraken’s 14-game playoff run, finishing only behind Jamie Oleksiak in hits (57), blocked shots (31) and penalty-killing time per game (2:58).
Seattle’s GM Francis had some high praise for Larsson re-signing with the team.
“Adam has been a veteran leader for our group on and off the ice the past three seasons,” Ron Francis said. “He’s a big (6-foot-3, 209 pounds) right-shot defenceman who plays a heavy, physical game and has been a cornerstone of our defense since the Kraken’s inaugural season. We’re excited to have Adam and his family in Seattle for five more years.”
Here is what the Kraken’s defence corps looks like according to Daily Faceoff after Seattle’s offseason moves:
Maple Leafs sign Nick Robertson
The Toronto Maple Leafs completed their last in-house transaction this offseason, locking up restricted free agent Nick Robertson to a one-year contract worth $875k.
The Pasadena, California native was selected in the second round (53rd overall) by the Maple Leafs in the 2019 draft after a monstrous 55-goal, 86-point season with the Peterborough Petes in his draft year. This was a season to remember for Robertson, as he led the league in goals despite playing 16 fewer games than second-place Jack Quinn.
Robertson spent three seasons in Peterborough, scoring 97 goals and 176 points in 162 games before graduating to the American Hockey League.
After moving on from the Ontario Hockey League, Robertson has spent time bouncing up and down with the Maple Leafs and their AHL affiliate, Toronto Marlies. The 22-year-old has finished as a point-per-game player with the Marlies in three of four seasons, registering 57 points in 60 games.
However, luck wasn’t on his side, given all his efforts made in the AHL. Just when Robertson was about to get some runway with the big club, he suffered a broken leg in the 2021-2022 season. The following season looked prime for a Robertson breakout year. But right when he was starting to find his groove (five points in 15 games), Robertson suffered a season-ending shoulder injury.
In 2023-2024, Robertson stayed healthy, registering 11 points in nine games with the Marlies and 27 points in 56 games with the Maple Leafs. Although the news may come as shocking to some fans as this offseason, Robertson made it clear he wanted a fresh start by requesting a trade in June.
Does this contract extension change that?
TSN’s Darren Dregher reported that Craig Berube had a chat with Robertson and assured him he’d have an opportunity with the team next season.
However, Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli reported after the Robertson extension that the belief was still for Robertson to move on from Toronto.
Toronto will have 29 days to find Robertson a new home or convince him to stay until they kick off their season on October 9th against the Montreal Canadiens.
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