Seattle Kraken sign Ben Meyers, Max Lajoie, Nikolas Brouillard, Brandon Biro and Mitch Stephens

The Seattle Kraken have made it clear they intend to keep their AHL affiliate, Coachella Valley, competitive for a third straight year.

The Kraken have signed forwards Ben Meyers and Brandon Biro, as well as defensemen Maxime Lajoie and Nikolas, to one-year contracts worth $775,000 each. Additionally, the team signed 27-year-old center Mitchell Stephens to a two-year deal worth $775,000 per season.

Meyers, 25, was once viewed as a prized college free agent signing after captaining the University of Minnesota in 2022. He signed with the Avalanche to close out the year, a season that also saw him put up great numbers with the USA at both the Winter Olympics and World Championship. But the past few years have been full of struggles, with Meyers scoring four goals in 39 games in 2022-23 and three points in 23 games between Colorado and Anaheim last year. Meyers has remained a strong force in the AHL, putting up 24 and 25 points over his last two years, respectively.

Lajoie, 26, spent most of last year with the AHL’s Toronto Marlies, registering four goals and 20 assists for 24 points in 51 games. He also played seven games as a bottom-pairing blueliner with the Toronto Maple Leafs, registering one assist. In 77 career NHL games with Ottawa, Carolina and Toronto, Lajoie has seven goals and 16 points.

Brouillard, 29, has earned his second NHL contract after signing a one-year deal with the New York Rangers last year. He hasn’t played a game in the top league yet, but he has been a consistent 36-39-point producer in the AHL with San Diego and Hartford. Brouillard spent three years at McGill University in the Canadian college ranks before heading to the AHL, where he has established himself as one of the league’s most powerful, and skilled, enforcers.

Biro, 26, played in five NHL games last year, scoring two goals. He’s been a big part of the Rochester Americans since making his pro debut in 2020-21, with his 51 points in 2022-23 being a career-high. He had a solid 43-point campaign this year, his third consecutive year with at least 41 points. Biro should remain a big-time offensive threat on a Firebirds team that should contend for another championship.

Stephens, 27, played 23 games with the Montreal Canadiens last year, registering three points. It was the third time in his career in which he played at least 20 NHL games, all with different teams. Stephens spent most of the year with the AHL’s Laval Rocket, registering 13 goals and 35 points in 45 games last year.