A breakout player in the NHL’s expansion-era push, a forward who spent years battling for limited ice time has credited his recent contract—a six-year, $34.5 million deal secured last summer—as the turning point in his career. With the stability of long-term security, he now speaks openly about shifting his mindset from proving his worth to refining his game and embracing a leadership role. The agreement, coming after years of roster competition, reflects both his rising value and the team’s confidence in his development trajectory. Fans and analysts will watch closely to see how this newfound freedom translates into on-ice performance.

After years fighting for every hockey roster spot ever given, Kraken winger Bobby McMann says the security garnered from his six-year, $34.5 million deal signed last June has allowed him to focus on b ...