The Seattle Kraken have added forward Mason Marchment to their roster as they push toward playoff contention. The trade, finalized last week by general manager Jason Botterill, involved exchanging 2025 and 2026 draft picks to acquire the 30-year-old player known for his scoring touch and physicality.
Botterill has openly emphasized the need to improve the team‘s size, skill, and strength, and Marchment’s arrival seems to align with that vision perfectly. His ability to maintain puck possession and dominate net-front battles addresses a key area the Kraken want to strengthen as they aim for postseason success.
Marchment’s Impact on the Scoreboard and Offensive Production
Coming off one of the best seasons in his NHL career, Marchment tied his personal best with 22 goals during the 2023-24 season while accumulating 47 points, his second-highest total ever. This production is even more impressive considering he missed 20 games recovering from a facial injury.
When adjusting for ice time, Marchment maintained a scoring rate of 2.97 points and 1.4 goals per 60 minutes, marking the second-highest point-per-minute pace of his career. His consistent ability to produce points across various seasons shows solid reliability on the scoresheet, matching his expected scoring performance based on shot quality generated.
Effectiveness on the Power Play and Special Teams
Marchment’s offensive contributions extend beyond even-strength play. On the power play last season, he scored 2.5 goals per 60 minutes, ranking fourth among Dallas forwards and would have placed him second on Seattle’s roster behind Shane Wright. His 3.1 expected goals per 60 on the power play was the second-best in Dallas and would have led Seattle’s forwards.
In addition, his ability to rack up power play points — just under five per 60 minutes — signals a player who can capitalize on advantages with the extra man on the ice. Such skills will be valuable for the Kraken’s special teams as they look to improve their scoring efficiency in critical situations.
High-Value Scoring Areas Highlight Marchment’s Net-Front Presence
Marchment not only scores but does so from particularly dangerous locations on the ice, a factor that Kraken management has prioritized. Last season, he generated 3.6 high-danger shot attempts per 60 minutes at 5-on-5 play, ranking just behind Jordan Eberle and Jaden Schwartz on the Kraken roster.
His ability to shoot under pressure near the net is notable. Among players on Dallas and Seattle last season, only Eberle and Mikko Rantanen averaged more shots from within eight feet of the net than Marchment’s 0.65 per game. Impressively, he successfully got pucks on net 75 percent of the time from these close-range shots, indicating a highly efficient net-front scoring threat.
How Marchment’s Physical Strength Translates to On-Ice Advantages
Jason Botterill described “strength” in the net-front role as more than just physicality, and Marchment exemplifies this multifaceted approach. He excels at puck retrieval and possession battles, a fundamental requirement for driving offense.
At even strength, Marchment’s takeaway rate of 1.55 per 60 minutes ranked just behind Eberle and Schwartz within the combined Dallas and Seattle groups, marking him as one of the top disruptors of opposing play. His ability to force turnovers places him 45th among 580 NHL players with significant ice time last season.
Beyond puck takeaways, Marchment’s physical presence is crucial. Standing 6-foot-5 and weighing 212 pounds, he led both the Stars and Kraken in body checks per 60 minutes at even strength alongside Mikhael Granlund. His imposing size allows him to dislodge pucks and create opportunities for teammates, as demonstrated by his disruptive play against Winnipeg, where he halted an opponent’s zone entry and initiated a breakout for his team.
Maintaining Possession and Minimizing Turnovers
Marchment’s value also comes from his ability to keep the puck once he gains possession. Last season, he posted a turnover rate of only 23 percent in the offensive zone, the second-lowest figure across Dallas and Seattle forwards, further underpinning his reliability when attacking. Only Chandler Stephenson had a lower turnover rate at 22 percent, emphasizing Marchment’s careful puck management during critical offensive moments.
The Broader Significance of Adding Marchment to the Kraken Lineup
With this acquisition, the Kraken add a forward who complements their strategic goals of increasing skill, size, and net-front effectiveness. Mason Marchment’s unique combination of elite scoring rates and physical strength addresses several gaps in Seattle’s game, especially in high-pressure areas near the crease.
As Seattle aims to establish itself as a regular playoff team, Marchment’s contributions could prove pivotal. His capability to score, disrupt opponents, and maintain puck control exemplifies the kind of versatile player the Kraken need amid a highly competitive Western Conference. How well he integrates with the existing lineup will likely influence the team’s trajectory in the tight battles leading to the playoffs.