The Seattle Kraken are closing in on a three-year, $10.5-million contract with unrestricted free agent goalie Chris Driedger, per Sportsnet‘s Elliotte Friedman.
Driedger — who is coming off a two-year, $1.7-million deal — was left exposed by the Florida Panthers ahead of Wednesday’s expansion draft.
As part of expansion rules, the Kraken were allowed to start the free agency signing period early and could negotiate with UFAs, like Driedger, starting at 7 a.m. Sunday through 7 a.m. Wednesday.
Friedman reports the agreement shouldn’t preclude the Kraken from also potentially selecting star netminder Carey Price, who waived his no-move clause and was exposed by the Montreal Canadiens.
Driedger, 27, had a breakout 2020-21 campaign, outshining two-time Vezina Trophy winner Sergei Bobrovsky as he recorded a sterling 2.07 goals-against average and .927 save percentage in 23 appearances with Florida.
However, the former third-round pick by the Ottawa Senators only has 38 total games across five years in the NHL under his belt.
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