That's in large part because the Kraken's expansion draft (July 21) and the NHL Entry Draft (July 23 and 24) both need to squeeze into the league calendar first. Plus, the Cup Final ended in five games but plans need to accommodate a full seven-game series.
One atypical fact: The Kraken can start the free agency signing period early. As part of the 32nd franchise agreement, Ron Francis and his hockey operations group will have the sole option among all teams to negotiate with unrestricted free agents (UFAs) from 7 a.m. Sunday through 7 a.m. Wednesday.
UFA status means the player can be signed with no recourse by the former club. Restricted free agents (RFAs) can receive offers from other teams, but the player's recent team has the right to match the offer.
The exclusive window allows the Kraken brain trust to meet with and sign pending free agents who are unprotected by their current team heading into the expansion draft. If the Kraken sign a player in that exclusive window, it will count as their pick from the player's former team.
There is an enticing factor the Seattle club can offer to the right player. If the Kraken front office was so inclined, it can offer a player an eight-year term.
In the last collective bargaining agreement, the NHL Players' Association negotiated a general "no loss of status or rights'' provision for players who are claimed by Seattle in the expansion draft or acquired by the Kraken in a trade prior to the conclusion of the expansion draft.
Translation: While only the free agent's former team was able to re-sign its player to the eight-year max, the Kraken retain the "same club" status with any of their 30 picks who are UFAs. That longer term and security can be important to some players.
When free agency begins across all teams July 28, the Kraken will only be able to offer a seven-year maximum contract during an offseason that is a month shorter than most every other offseason. Fans across the league can anticipate a busy end of July for player signings and free-agent movement.
A major part of NHL Free Agency drama is whether star players will stay with their teams or decide to test the market. GMs make it known they want to keep their standout but it doesn't always work out.
The biggest name this summer, Carolina defenseman Dougie Hamilton, is coveted by the Hurricanes but expect suitors for a D-man who is a high performer on both ends of the ice and at 28 projects a top-three defenseman for the coming season by analytics experts, plus top-five to top-10 for several seasons to come.
Other players who executives and fans are hoping return include Boston mid-season acquisition Taylor Hall, nine-year Colorado captain Gabriel Landeskog (he started wearing the "C" on his jersey at age 19) and Colorado teammate and No. 1 goalie Philipp Grubauer.
Two players who enjoyed strong postseasons right through the Cup Final, Montreal's Phillip Danault and Tampa Bay's Blake Coleman won over the hometown fans and many more watching around North America. Both the Canadiens and Lightning have handfuls of UFAs they aim to retain. Both Danault and Coleman will be indicators of success.
There will be plenty of excitement and surprises, which is one thing in an atypical summer that will be more to the norm.
