Seattle Kraken sign defenseman Brian Dumoulin to two-year contract

The Seattle Kraken have signed defenseman Brian Dumoulin to a two-year contract, TSN’s Chris Johnston reported Saturday afternoon.

Dumoulin, 31, collected 25 points (one goal, 24 assists) while averaging 20:38 in 82 games with the Penguins during the 2022–23 regular season. The Penguins did not qualify for the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

According to Johnston, Dumoulin’s new deal with the Kraken carries a $3.15 million cap hit.

Brian Dumoulin's two-year contract with #SeaKraken carries a $3.15M AAV. @NorthStarBet @TSN_Sports

— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) July 1, 2023

Dumoulin won the Stanley Cup with the Penguins as a top-four defenseman in both 2016 and 2017. He scored three goals and 14 points while averaging more than 21 minutes per night in 49 games over those two long playoff runs.

The Carolina Hurricanes originally selected Dumoulin in the second round (No. 51 overall) of the 2009 NHL Draft. The six-foot-four defenseman, who shoots left, spent three seasons at Boston College before signing his first professional contract in 2012.

Before he could turn pro, however, Dumoulin was traded to the Penguins alongside Brandon Sutter and a 2012 first-round draft pick in exchange for center Jordan Staal. The move ultimately united Jordan, Eric, and Jared Staal in Carolina.

Dumoulin established himself as an NHL regular with the Penguins in 2015–16, collecting 16 assists in 79 games as a rookie and stepping up in the playoffs to help Pittsburgh capture its fourth Stanley Cup. He bettered his performance as a sophomore to help the club win its second consecutive championship.

Through 546 career games over parts of 10 NHL seasons with the Penguins, Dumoulin has racked up 19 goals and 139 points while averaging 20:39 per night. He’s added four goals and 25 points in 81 career playoff contests with the Penguins.

Dumoulin will now battle for ice time as part of a Kraken defensive group that also includes Vince Dunn, Adam Larsson, Jamie Oleksiak, Justin Schultz, Jaycob Megna, Will Borgen, Cale Fleury, and top prospect Ryker Evans.

Also on Saturday, the Kraken signed forwards Marian Studenic and John Hayden, as well as defenseman Jimmy Schuldt, to one-year contracts worth $775,000 in the NHL.