Ryker Evans inked a two-year, 4.1 million contract with the Seattle Kraken, carrying an AAV of 2.05 million. At 23, the defenseman was a restricted free agent who piled up 25 points (5 goals, 20 assists) in 73 games last season and led Kraken blueliners with 123 hits while ranking third with 106 blocks. Seattle’s deal signals confidence in his continued development as a reliable two-way piece on the bottom of the lineup who can contribute perimeters while growing in minutes.

Selected in the 2021 draft in the second round (No. 35), Evans has 34 points in 109 NHL games and has shown year-after-year progress since turning pro. General manager Jason Botterill lauded his trajectory and emphasized that Evans will look to take his game to another level next season, cementing him as a core piece of Seattle’s defense as the team aims for more consistent defensive structure and depth.

From a fantasy perspective, Evans’ profile blends counting stats with solid peripherals. If he secures top-four minutes and some power-play time, a multi-category asset with upside emerges, especially in leagues that reward hits and blocks. The deal is light enough to be a cost-efficient gamble for managers willing to buy into continued development and incremental role expansion in 2025-26.