Kraken reel in Yamamoto with 1-year, $1.5M deal

Kailer Yamamoto is heading to his home state.

The Seattle Kraken signed the Spokane, Washington, native to a one-year, $1.5-million contract, the team announced.

The Detroit Red Wings bought out Yamamoto after acquiring him in a trade with the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday.

A first-round pick by the Oilers in 2017, Yamamoto spent parts of six seasons with the club. He tallied a career-high 20 goals and 21 assists in 2021-22, but he regressed this past season with 25 points in 58 games. The 5-foot-8 winger's underlying numbers remained solid, though - particularly on the penalty kill.

Yamamoto figures to slide into Seattle's bottom-six forward group at right wing behind Jordan Eberle and Oliver Bjorkstrand - potentially in place of the departed Daniel Sprong.

At 24 years old, Yamamoto was one of the youngest unrestricted free agents available.

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