SEATTLE (AP) — Philipp Grubauer is going from anchoring a Presidents Trophy-winning roster to the unknowns of playing for an expansion franchise.
The Seattle Kraken had plenty of money to throw at Grubauer to make it happen.
The Kraken made a trio of signings on the first day of NHL free agency but there was no bigger splash than agreeing to terms with Grubauer on a six-year, $35.4 million contract.
The 29-year-old Grubauer was 30-9-1 last season with the Colorado Avalanche with a 1.95 goals-against average and a .922 save percentage.
The Kraken also announced they've traded goalie Vitek Vanecek to the Washington Capitals for a second round pick in 2023. Seattle picked Vanecek off Washington's roster during the Expansion Draft.
Seattle also bolstered its forward lines by signing Jaden Schwartz and Alexander Wennberg. Schwartz's deal is 5-years, $5.5 million per season. Wennberg gets 3-years for $13.5 million.
