After a disappointing season that saw the Seattle Kraken miss the playoffs, change is coming — and it could start in the crease. According to Kraken insider Kate Shefte, the team is seriously considering a Philipp Grubauer buyout, and the move could signal the end of an era for the veteran netminder in Seattle.
Philipp Grubauer’s Struggles & Daccord’s Rise
Grubauer, 33, has two years remaining on his contract with an AAV of $5.9 million. Signed as the Kraken’s franchise goalie during their inaugural season, his inconsistent play and frequent injuries have left fans frustrated. Most recently, Grubauer lost the starter’s role to Joey Daccord, who posted significantly better numbers and brought more stability in net.
With Daccord looking like the future between the pipes, speculation has mounted that Seattle may opt for a buyout to free up cap space and reset the goaltending tandem.
The Buyout Breakdown
A buyout of Grubauer would come at two-thirds of the remaining contract value paid out over double the remaining term — a four-year cap penalty. Here’s how it would hit the Kraken’s books:
- 2025-26: $1.983 million
- 2026-27: $3.083 million
- 2027-28 & 2028-29: $1.683 million each
Given the Kraken’s need for flexibility in free agency and Daccord’s emergence as a starter, this option seems more viable than keeping Grubauer in a backup role with such a high cap hit.
Expert Take
In my opinion, the buyout is the right move. The cap penalty is manageable, and it opens the door for the Kraken to bring in a low-cost, short-term backup. With the right pieces, Seattle can rebound quickly, but they need to address the goaltending issue now — not later.
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