Jared McCann ready to flourish after pre-expansion draft mayhem
Marisa Ingemi, The Seattle Times
For a few days, Jared McCann may have had the most chaotic time of anyone in hockey.
Projected to be exposed to the Kraken expansion draft by the Penguins, Pittsburgh instead sent the forward to Toronto the day prior. The Maple Leafs, using McCann as a guard so they could protect their other forwards, left him exposed.
So, as expected, McCann did end up a member of the Kraken. Just in about the most roundabout way ever.
“It was pretty stressful,” said McCann. “I don’t think many guys have gone through what I went through this summer. But everything happens for a reason and I’m a firm believer in that.”
The 25-year-old forward had his most successful NHL season yet in 2021 with the Penguins, piggybacking off another successful 2019-20 campaign. Of course, playing on a team with offensive stars such as Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin will help.
He posted 32 points in 43 games in 2021, his most points-per-game in his career. He also set career highs with seven of his 14 goals coming on the power play, which gives a strong indicator of what kind of a player he will be in Seattle.
He’s not quite sure what his role will be with the Kraken just yet. Describing himself as a two-way player, he’s played on the center and the wing, killed penalties, and seen his offensive game blossom. McCann prides himself playing in all situations, and is hopeful that’s what he can do in Seattle.
“I think I just got more opportunities,” he said. “In Pittsburgh with some guys being out, I got some more time. I showed that I could handle it and I’m looking forward to doing it again in Seattle.”
McCann has been traded before. Never in quite as dramatic fashion as his Pittsburgh-to-Toronto-to-Seattle journey, but changing teams isn’t new. He was a Canucks first-round draft pick in 2014, so despite never having been to Seattle before, coming back to the Pacific Northwest has a full-circle feel.
“Coming into a new organization is a lot of excitement,” said McCann. “There’s a lot of opportunity with a new team, it’s a sports city already with the Mariners and the Seahawks. It’s pretty cool we get to join that now.”
Even if a three-teams-in-three-days is unfamiliar territory for anyone in the league, switching teams isn’t new for McCann. He’s moved around plenty, from Vancouver to Florida to Pittsburgh and now back to the Pacific Northwest in Seattle, so he knows what it’s like being the new guy on a team.
Everyone on the Kraken is the new guy, though. Not many players have experience with anyone else on the roster. McCann at least has his former Penguins teammate Brandon Tanev, who was selected from Pittsburgh once McCann was a part of the Maple Leafs roster.
“We chatted a bit (after) to congratulate each other,” said Tanev. “It’s exciting to be going into a place where you’re really familiar with someone that I played with. Jared is a great person and amazing player, it’s gonna be amazing to get there and play with him again.”
McCann and Tanev have played on the same line at times, accumulating 96:16 together in 2021 in five-on-five play. Tanev had success with McCann, posting a 54.17 Corsi percentage when they were together, and the duo generated nine goals and just two against.
That gives head coach Dave Hakstol something to work with, and McCann has a few other connections as well.
“I played with Haydn Fleury and against him with Team Canada,” said McCann. “So I do have that kind of a start going for me. You get to know the guys a lot by going out with each other and like, having beers with them and sitting around and talking. A lot of team chemistry starts right from that.”
Chemistry will be the early challenge for everyone, as it always is for a brand new team. McCann at least has begun to settle into his prime, and the Kraken appear to have gotten him right as his career is flourishing.
It was a winding road to get to Seattle, and back to the area where his NHL career began, but McCann is returning to the west from Pittsburgh via Toronto as a more well-rounded player than he was last time.
“This is my fourth team,” he said. “I’m excited for a new city and see how things work out this time.”
Jared McCann ready to flourish after pre-expansion draft mayhem
Ted S. Warren
Seattle Kraken NHL hockey players Jordan Eberle, Chris Dreidger, Brandon Tanev, Jamie Oleksiak, Hadyn Fluery and Mark Giordano, from left, pose for a photo Wednesday, July 21, 2021, after being introduced during the Kraken's expansion draft event in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Ted S. Warren
Seattle Kraken NHL hockey players Jordan Eberle, Chris Dreidger, Brandon Tanev, Jamie Oleksiak, Hadyn Fluery and Mark Giordano, from left, pose for a photo Wednesday, July 21, 2021, after being introduced during the Kraken's expansion draft event in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Jared McCann ready to flourish after pre-expansion draft mayhem
Phelan Ebenhack
FILE - In this Wednesday, July 7, 2021 file photo, Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price (31) plays the puck during the first period in Game 5 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup finals against the Tampa Bay Lightning, in Tampa, Fla. After backstopping the Montreal Canadiens to the Stanley Cup Final, Price has been left unprotected for the Seattle Kraken expansion draft. Price agreed to be exposed so the Canadiens could protect cheaper backup Jake Allen. The league released the protected lists of all 30 teams eligible for the expansion draft Sunday morning, July 18. (AP Photo/Phelan Ebenhack, File)
Phelan Ebenhack
FILE - In this Wednesday, July 7, 2021 file photo, Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price (31) plays the puck during the first period in Game 5 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup finals against the Tampa Bay Lightning, in Tampa, Fla. After backstopping the Montreal Canadiens to the Stanley Cup Final, Price has been left unprotected for the Seattle Kraken expansion draft. Price agreed to be exposed so the Canadiens could protect cheaper backup Jake Allen. The league released the protected lists of all 30 teams eligible for the expansion draft Sunday morning, July 18. (AP Photo/Phelan Ebenhack, File)
Jared McCann ready to flourish after pre-expansion draft mayhem
Nick Didlick
FILE - Edmonton Oilers' Adam Larsson (6) is shown during an NHL hockey game against the Vancouver Canucks in Vancouver, British Columbia, in this Monday, May 3, 2021, file photo. Adam Larsson and Chris Driedger are going to the Seattle Kraken in the expansion draft. One person with knowledge of Larsson's deal said the defenseman has agreed to terms with Seattle on a $16 million, four-year contract. Another person with knowledge of Driedger's deal said the goaltender has agreed to a $10.5 million, three-year contract. The people spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Wednesday morning because the team was not announcing any moves until the expansion draft Wednesday night, July 21, 2021. (AP Photo/Nick Didlick, File)
Nick Didlick
FILE - Edmonton Oilers' Adam Larsson (6) is shown during an NHL hockey game against the Vancouver Canucks in Vancouver, British Columbia, in this Monday, May 3, 2021, file photo. Adam Larsson and Chris Driedger are going to the Seattle Kraken in the expansion draft. One person with knowledge of Larsson's deal said the defenseman has agreed to terms with Seattle on a $16 million, four-year contract. Another person with knowledge of Driedger's deal said the goaltender has agreed to a $10.5 million, three-year contract. The people spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Wednesday morning because the team was not announcing any moves until the expansion draft Wednesday night, July 21, 2021. (AP Photo/Nick Didlick, File)
Jared McCann ready to flourish after pre-expansion draft mayhem
Gene J. Puskar
FILE - Florida Panthers goaltender Chris Driedger takes a timeout during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Pittsburgh, in this Sunday, Jan. 5, 2020, file photo. Adam Larsson and Chris Driedger are going to the Seattle Kraken in the expansion draft. One person with knowledge of Larsson’s deal said the defenseman has agreed to terms with Seattle on a $16 million, four-year contract. Another person with knowledge of Driedger’s deal said the goaltender has agreed to a $10.5 million, three-year contract. The people spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Wednesday morning because the team was not announcing any moves until the expansion draft Wednesday night, July 21, 2021. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)
Gene J. Puskar
FILE - Florida Panthers goaltender Chris Driedger takes a timeout during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Pittsburgh, in this Sunday, Jan. 5, 2020, file photo. Adam Larsson and Chris Driedger are going to the Seattle Kraken in the expansion draft. One person with knowledge of Larsson’s deal said the defenseman has agreed to terms with Seattle on a $16 million, four-year contract. Another person with knowledge of Driedger’s deal said the goaltender has agreed to a $10.5 million, three-year contract. The people spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Wednesday morning because the team was not announcing any moves until the expansion draft Wednesday night, July 21, 2021. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)
Jared McCann ready to flourish after pre-expansion draft mayhem
Ted S. Warren
A boat with an inflatable octopus sails on Lake Union, Wednesday, July 21, 2021, in Seattle near the park where the Seattle Kraken NHL hockey team was holding its expansion draft event. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Ted S. Warren
A boat with an inflatable octopus sails on Lake Union, Wednesday, July 21, 2021, in Seattle near the park where the Seattle Kraken NHL hockey team was holding its expansion draft event. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Jared McCann ready to flourish after pre-expansion draft mayhem
Ted S. Warren
The Seattle Kraken NHL hockey flag flies on top of the Space Needle, Wednesday, July 21, 2021, before the Kraken's expansion draft event. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Ted S. Warren
The Seattle Kraken NHL hockey flag flies on top of the Space Needle, Wednesday, July 21, 2021, before the Kraken's expansion draft event. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Jared McCann ready to flourish after pre-expansion draft mayhem
Ted S. Warren
Fans take their seats Wednesday, July 21, 2021, near the stage in a Seattle park before the Seattle Kraken NHL hockey team's expansion draft event. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Ted S. Warren
Fans take their seats Wednesday, July 21, 2021, near the stage in a Seattle park before the Seattle Kraken NHL hockey team's expansion draft event. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Jared McCann ready to flourish after pre-expansion draft mayhem
Ted S. Warren
People paddle a canoe with a Christmas tree held up by hockey sticks as they float on Lake Union with the Space Needle in the background, Wednesday, July 21, 2021, in Seattle near the park where the Seattle Kraken NHL hockey expansion draft event was taking place. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Ted S. Warren
People paddle a canoe with a Christmas tree held up by hockey sticks as they float on Lake Union with the Space Needle in the background, Wednesday, July 21, 2021, in Seattle near the park where the Seattle Kraken NHL hockey expansion draft event was taking place. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Jared McCann ready to flourish after pre-expansion draft mayhem
Ted S. Warren
Seattle Kraken CEO Tod Leiweke speaks Wednesday, July 21, 2021, during the NHL hockey team's expansion draft event in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Ted S. Warren
Seattle Kraken CEO Tod Leiweke speaks Wednesday, July 21, 2021, during the NHL hockey team's expansion draft event in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Jared McCann ready to flourish after pre-expansion draft mayhem
Ted S. Warren
Chris Dreidger, center, a goalie from the Florida Panthers, stands with ESPN NHL hockey draft host Chris Fowler, left, and Seattle Kraken general manager Ron Francis as he is introduced Wednesday, July 21, 2021, as a new player for the Kraken during the team's expansion draft event in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Ted S. Warren
Chris Dreidger, center, a goalie from the Florida Panthers, stands with ESPN NHL hockey draft host Chris Fowler, left, and Seattle Kraken general manager Ron Francis as he is introduced Wednesday, July 21, 2021, as a new player for the Kraken during the team's expansion draft event in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Jared McCann ready to flourish after pre-expansion draft mayhem
Ted S. Warren
Chris Dreidger, center, a goalie from the Florida Panthers, stands with ESPN NHL hockey draft hosts Dominic Moore, left, and Chris Fowler as he is introduced Wednesday, July 21, 2021, as a new player for the Seattle Kraken during the team's expansion draft event in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Ted S. Warren
Chris Dreidger, center, a goalie from the Florida Panthers, stands with ESPN NHL hockey draft hosts Dominic Moore, left, and Chris Fowler as he is introduced Wednesday, July 21, 2021, as a new player for the Seattle Kraken during the team's expansion draft event in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Jared McCann ready to flourish after pre-expansion draft mayhem
Ted S. Warren
Jordan Eberle, second from left, a forward from the New York Islanders, is introduced as a new player for the Seattle Kraken as he stands with ESPN NHL hockey draft hosts Dominic Moore, left, and Chris Fowler, second from right, Wednesday, July 21, 2021, as Kraken general manager Ron Francis, right, listens during the Kraken's NHL hockey expansion draft event in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Ted S. Warren
Jordan Eberle, second from left, a forward from the New York Islanders, is introduced as a new player for the Seattle Kraken as he stands with ESPN NHL hockey draft hosts Dominic Moore, left, and Chris Fowler, second from right, Wednesday, July 21, 2021, as Kraken general manager Ron Francis, right, listens during the Kraken's NHL hockey expansion draft event in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Jared McCann ready to flourish after pre-expansion draft mayhem
Ted S. Warren
Jordan Eberle, a forward from the New York Islanders, speaks after being introduced as a new player for the Seattle Kraken, Wednesday, July 21, 2021, during the Kraken's NHL hockey expansion draft event in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Ted S. Warren
Jordan Eberle, a forward from the New York Islanders, speaks after being introduced as a new player for the Seattle Kraken, Wednesday, July 21, 2021, during the Kraken's NHL hockey expansion draft event in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Jared McCann ready to flourish after pre-expansion draft mayhem
Ted S. Warren
Jordan Eberle, a forward from the New York Islanders, walks off stage after being introduced as a new player for the Seattle Kraken, Wednesday, July 21, 2021, during the Kraken's NHL hockey expansion draft event in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Ted S. Warren
Jordan Eberle, a forward from the New York Islanders, walks off stage after being introduced as a new player for the Seattle Kraken, Wednesday, July 21, 2021, during the Kraken's NHL hockey expansion draft event in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Jared McCann ready to flourish after pre-expansion draft mayhem
Ted S. Warren
Brandon Tanev, center, a forward from the Pittsburgh Penguins, is introduced as a player for the Seattle Kraken, Wednesday, July 21, 2021, during the Kraken's NHL hockey expansion draft event in Seattle. Looking on are ESPN hosts Dominic Moore, left, and Chris Fowler, second from right, and Kraken general manager Ron Francis, right, and Kraken scout Cammi Granato, second from left. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Ted S. Warren
Brandon Tanev, center, a forward from the Pittsburgh Penguins, is introduced as a player for the Seattle Kraken, Wednesday, July 21, 2021, during the Kraken's NHL hockey expansion draft event in Seattle. Looking on are ESPN hosts Dominic Moore, left, and Chris Fowler, second from right, and Kraken general manager Ron Francis, right, and Kraken scout Cammi Granato, second from left. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Jared McCann ready to flourish after pre-expansion draft mayhem
Ted S. Warren
Seattle Kraken NHL hockey players Jordan Eberle, Chris Dreidger, Brandon Tanev, Jamie Oleksiak, Hadyn Fluery and Mark Giordano, from left, pose for a photo Wednesday, July 21, 2021, after being introduced during the Kraken's expansion draft event in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Ted S. Warren
Seattle Kraken NHL hockey players Jordan Eberle, Chris Dreidger, Brandon Tanev, Jamie Oleksiak, Hadyn Fluery and Mark Giordano, from left, pose for a photo Wednesday, July 21, 2021, after being introduced during the Kraken's expansion draft event in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Jared McCann ready to flourish after pre-expansion draft mayhem
Ted S. Warren
New Seattle Kraken NHL hockey players, back row from left, Mark Giordano, Brandon Tanev, Jamie Oleksiak, Hadyn Fluery, Jordan Eberle and Chris Dreidger stand on stage with Kraken owners David Wright, front left, Jerry Bruckheimer, front center, and Andy Jassy, front second from right, and Kraken general manager Ron Francis, front right, Wednesday, July 21, 2021, after being introduced during the Kraken's expansion draft event in Seattle. Jassy is also president and CEO of Amazon.com. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Ted S. Warren
New Seattle Kraken NHL hockey players, back row from left, Mark Giordano, Brandon Tanev, Jamie Oleksiak, Hadyn Fluery, Jordan Eberle and Chris Dreidger stand on stage with Kraken owners David Wright, front left, Jerry Bruckheimer, front center, and Andy Jassy, front second from right, and Kraken general manager Ron Francis, front right, Wednesday, July 21, 2021, after being introduced during the Kraken's expansion draft event in Seattle. Jassy is also president and CEO of Amazon.com. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Jared McCann ready to flourish after pre-expansion draft mayhem
Ted S. Warren
Seattle Kraken NHL hockey broadcaster JT Brown holds up a fish after he caught it Wednesday, July 21, 2021, during the Seattle Kraken's NHL hockey expansion draft event in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Ted S. Warren
Seattle Kraken NHL hockey broadcaster JT Brown holds up a fish after he caught it Wednesday, July 21, 2021, during the Seattle Kraken's NHL hockey expansion draft event in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Jared McCann ready to flourish after pre-expansion draft mayhem
Ted S. Warren
Fans on kayaks and boats, including one sporting a giant inflatable octopus, float on Lake Union, Wednesday, July 21, 2021, during the Seattle Kraken's NHL hockey expansion draft event in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Ted S. Warren
Fans on kayaks and boats, including one sporting a giant inflatable octopus, float on Lake Union, Wednesday, July 21, 2021, during the Seattle Kraken's NHL hockey expansion draft event in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Jared McCann ready to flourish after pre-expansion draft mayhem
Ted S. Warren
The Seattle Kraken NHL hockey flag flies on top of the Space Needle, Wednesday, July 21, 2021, before the Kraken's expansion draft event. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Ted S. Warren
The Seattle Kraken NHL hockey flag flies on top of the Space Needle, Wednesday, July 21, 2021, before the Kraken's expansion draft event. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
