Seattle Kraken Narrowly Avoid Arbitration With Second Overall Pick: Sign Him to Multi-Year Extension

Last season, the Seattle Kraken acquired former No. 2 overall pick Kaapo Kakko in a deal with the New York Rangers, and it's safe to say that it was a fantastic pickup for the team.

In 49 games with the Kraken, Kakko tallied 10 goals and 30 points, and while his production didn't skyrocket after his struggles in New York, he showed flashes of being a genuine top-six forward, something that many believe he can be in the National Hockey League.

However, the 24-year old is up for a new deal this off-season, and after failing to come to a deal, the Kraken and Kakko were headed for arbitration, but not anymore.

According to a report from Elliotte Friedman, the two sides have come to an agreement on a new deal, avoiding arbitration and keeping Kakko in Seattle for several more years to come.

The deal is for three years, paying Kakko $4.525 million per season in that time, and while he has a career high of 44 points (this past season after scoring 14 points with the Rangers), they're paying the 24-year old on potential after he flashed plenty of it in 49 games with the team.

Now, he'll have a full off-season with the team after his future is locked in, and with the talent alongside him in Matty Beniers and Jaden Schwartz on the top-line, if he gets powerplay time as well, we may be in for another career year from the former top pick.

While Kakko is yet to live up to the hype, there's plenty of time to get to his full potential, and though some may see this as an overpay, with the rising salary cap and the chance that Kakko breaks out, this may end up being a great deal for Seattle.