Meet the Seattle Kraken: Defenseman Jamie Oleksiak

Prior to turning pro, Oleksiak’s final season was spent in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). He started the season with the Saginaw Spirit and scored six goals and 11 points in 31 games, before being traded to the Niagara Ice Dogs. The Ice Dogs were making a run to the J. Ross Robertson Cup, and he joined the race with ease. 

His offensive production skyrocketed to six goals and 21 points in 28 games. He added four assists in 20 playoff games, but ultimately fell short of the title. The London Knights beat the Ice Dogs in five games.

Through the 2012-13 and 2015-16 seasons, Oleksiak split time between the Dallas Stars and American Hockey League’s (AHL) Texas Stars. Over that span, he put up relatively decent offensive numbers; 15 goals and 74 points in 171 games. Those are pretty strong offensive numbers considering his play style. During the 2013-14 season, he earned his ring and hoisted the Calder Cup as AHL champion. 

Since the 2016-17 season, Oleksiak has been a steady defender on NHL ice. He spent 83 of his 369 games with the Pittsburgh Penguins, but was known for his time in Dallas. For the Stars, he was a key component to their defense.

Oleksiak’s Kraken Expectations

Oleksiak should find himself battling with teammate Brandon Tanev to see who will throw the body more this season. Don’t be surprised to see him receiving top-four ice time and a home on the penalty kill. Given his defensive ability and willingness to give up the body to block a shot, fans are going to appreciate what he brings. 

Offensively, don’t ask for too much. If he could find five goals and 15 points, that would be a solid year, considering his role. Despite his physicality, he has decent discipline, and will stick up for his teammates if the situation arises. He has 22 fights in his NHL career, eight during that 83 game stretch with the Penguins. It is likely that he will be amongst the Kraken leadership group, and may find a letter on his chest to start the season.

Was Selecting Oleksiak a Hit or a Miss?

Kraken general manager Ron Francis recorded a strong hit by selecting Oleksiak. He signed a five-year, $23 million contract, which carries a $4.6 million average annual value (AAV). The cap hit more than doubles his previous deal’s. He’s going to be around for the long haul, as he has three years with a no-trade clause, followed by two with a modified no-trade clause. The point being, Francis knew what he wanted, and made sure to lock it up long-term.

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Oleksiak’s defensive style will allow for more offensive defenders like Vince Dunn to exploit their offensive upside and take risks while Oleksiak holds down the fort. He is a go-to guy for physicality and penalty killing, and signed long-term. Francis hit this selection out of the park.