Andre Burakovsky has a new home after playing three seasons with the Seattle Kraken.
The Kraken shipped Burakovsky off in a one-for-one trade with the Chicago Blackhawks for forward Joe Veleno on Saturday morning. Burakovsky departs Seattle after posting 37 points (10g, 27a) in 79 games last season.
“Andre was a valuable player for our organization during the three years he was here, and we wish him and his family the best of luck in Chicago,” Kraken general manager Jason Botterill stated in a press release. “In return, we’ve acquired a young player with experience while also increasing our salary cap flexibility moving forward.”
Burakovsky, a two-time Stanley Cup champion with the Washington Capitals and Colorado Avalanche, has two years remaining on the deal he signed with the Kraken as a free agent in 2022. The 30-year-old winger earns $5.5 million against the salary cap.
Drafted in the first round by the Capitals in the 2013 NHL Draft, Burakovsky has 387 points (153g, 234a) in 696 career games split between the Capitals, Avalanche, and Kraken. His best season in Seattle was his first, where he recorded 39 points (13g, 26a) in 49 games before a torn groin prematurely ended his year.
Veleno, 25, finished the 2024-25 campaign with the Blackhawks after he was acquired from the Detroit Red Wings at the trade deadline. He recorded 17 points (8g, 9a) in 74 games split between the Red Wings and Blackhawks.
The move comes after the Kraken also added winger Mason Marchment from the Dallas Stars in a deal for two draft picks on Thursday. Seattle finished seventh in the Pacific Division this past season with 76 standings points, 34 points behind the first-place Vegas Golden Knights and 20 points out of a playoff spot in the Western Conference.
