Okay, so the Detroit Red Wings are leading the whole NHL in available cap space right now, with a massive $19.57 million in room as of August 19. That’s a huge number for a team trying to figure out who their next GM is, especially with captain Dylan Larkin reportedly still wanting out. But here’s the kicker for us in the Emerald City: right behind Detroit in that notable cap space category? Our very own Seattle Kraken.
Detroit’s Wallet and What It Means For Their Chaos
Let’s talk about those Red Wings for a second. Training camp starts in less than a month, and they’ve got some serious drama. Their former captain, Steve Yzerman, left the GM spot in mid-July, and now they need a new leader. On top of that, their current captain, Dylan Larkin, requested a trade and hasn’t changed his mind. Talk about a mess! But they do have a ton of cash to play with, according to PuckPedia. They’re spending $52.61 million on forwards, $23.42 million on defensemen, and $8.40 million on their goalie tandem of John Gibson and Daniil Tarasov. The good news for Yzerman’s successor is they’ll have plenty of money to re-sign restricted free-agent defenseman Simon Edvinsson, who’s due for a big raise from his $894,167 cap hit. Plus, they can start talking to forward Alex DeBrincat, who’s set to be an unrestricted free agent next summer. That’s a lot of financial flexibility to sort out a complicated situation.
The Kraken’s Cap Space Advantage After a Tough Season
Now, for the part that matters most to us: the Seattle Kraken are right there, behind Detroit, in terms of available cap space. We’re talking serious room to maneuver! And here’s the crucial detail: just like the Red Wings, the Kraken missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs in 2025-26. We know that stung, right? Vancouver and Calgary also missed the playoffs and are sitting on notable cap space behind Detroit, too. But for our boys in green and blue, having this kind of financial flexibility after a non-playoff season? That’s huge! It means our front office has the literal cash to address needs, make moves, and try to get us back into the playoff hunt.
What happens next with that cap space is the big question. With training camp right around the corner for the league, it’s time to see how the Kraken leverage their financial position. Keep an eye on the news, because that cap room could mean some big moves are coming.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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