When you’ve experienced three NHL stops in eight seasons, taking on a change of address is familiar territory. But when you take it to the level that Brandon Montour recently did – from winning a Stanley Cup in sunny Florida to embracing a decidedly different landscape roughly 3,300 miles away in the span of seven days – it should come with a healthy dose of stability.
Stability is something the 30-year-old defenseman has finally earned thanks to a seven-year, $50-million contract that is set to keep Montour in the Seattle Kraken lineup until 2031. With the assistance of his family – along with agent Matt Keator – Montour could focus on helping lead the Panthers to their first Stanley Cup title. Once the party subsided, however, things got real. “It was pretty hectic after the (playoffs) with talking to teams and talking to players and figuring out what to do,” Montour said. “I was celebrating but also trying to figure out what was best for us as a family and myself as a player.”
The answer to that question rested in the Pacific Northwest, where the Kraken continue to build what they hope is a winner and a culture that will accelerate that plan. “I think it was evident in selecting players like Yanni Gourde and Jaden Schwartz in Year 1,” said Kraken assistant GM Jason Botterill. “We’re looking for players that have that winning pedigree. Brandon has those back-to-back trips to the final plus his Stanley Cup win last season, which certainly was a big part of it for us.”
In our newest issue, we say goodbye and celebrate the lives of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau.
We also look at the biggest names to change teams this summer, including Stamkos, Guentzel, DeBrusk and more. Plus a 1974 Summit Series 50th anniversary rewind: https://t.co/smKk3NQdgQ pic.twitter.com/afvAZnwFnp
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With each passing year, Montour has honed several facets of his game. Most recently, it was a jump in his already solid offensive acumen. He turned heads when he nearly doubled his previous career best with a 73-point campaign in 2022-23. Despite losing an early chunk of last season while recovering from shoulder surgery, Montour still posted 33 points in 66 games for the eventual champs.
Botterill, who first got to know Montour while he was GM of the Buffalo Sabres, has admired the blueliner’s progression since those days. “He’s an amazing skater, but his biggest development has come from where to pick his spots,” Botterill said. “He’s also used that skating ability to become a better defensive defenseman. As much as people talk about the points, he really prides himself on being able to match up against opposing teams’ top lines. And he can play in all situations. He also wants to be a part of the leadership process here, and he’ll get that opportunity with us.”
That degree of responsibility – not to mention the long-term nature of the deal – appealed greatly to Montour. “We’re super excited to start fresh with an organization like Seattle,” he said. “I’ve showcased myself enough to be a part of a team (for a longer period of time). After talking to (Kraken GM) Ron (Francis) and specific players that reached out to me, we felt we found a place we could call home.”
The Kraken won a playoff round in 2023, but they missed the dance last year. They’ll attempt to rejoin the mix with a roster featuring equal parts youth and experience, which will make the most of Montour’s Swiss-Army-knife style of play. “The numbers don’t lie,” Botterill said. “Last year, our 5-on-5 scoring took a dip. We feel some of our younger forwards will help us from an offensive standpoint, but we wanted to add more of an offensive element to help out Vince Dunn on the back end. We’ll have (second-year blueliner) Ryker Evans going forward, but having someone like Brandon right away, who can be a good defensive defenseman but also initiate offense, was certainly very attractive for us.”
Entering the dressing room with Montour, who is known for lighting up any room he walks into, is new coach Dan Bylsma. After a successful run with Seattle’s AHL affiliate, the Coachella Valley Firebirds, the Stanley Cup-winning coach will bring a style that his ring-bearing rearguard will appreciate. “Dan brings personality and excitement to the rink,” Botterill said. “Having a defenseman in the rush and trading some defense for offense is typically a part of Dan’s system. What both Dan and Brandon bring makes this a really good fit both on and off the ice. It will help provide Brandon with a significant role for years to come.”
All of this is music to the ears of Montour, who heads to Seattle with his wife, Ryian, a one-year-old son, Kai, and two dogs. And with a daughter on the way later this year, finding the right spot for everyone was critical. “After talking to the ownership and management group and knowing what the organization is aiming for and what they want me to bring, it really excites me,” Montour said. “Our family already sees how the organization is run, not just for myself but for them as well. My wife is over the moon to be closer to (family), too.”
It’s a dead heat between player and manager in terms of who sounds more excited. But Montour may have summed up every dimension of this deal best: “They want to win, and I’m excited to bring them to that next level.”
This article appeared in the Sept. 9, 2024 edition of The Hockey News. In this edition, we say goodbye and celebrate the lives of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau. Also in the issue, we look at the biggest names to change teams this summer, including Steven Stamkos, Jake Guentzel, Jake DeBrusk and more. In addition, we look back at the “forgotten” 1974 Summit Series on its 50th anniversary.
It’s available on newsstands now, or you can get it in print for free when you subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/Free today. All subscriptions include complete access to more than 76 years of articles at The Hockey News Archive.
News Summary:
- Tour De Force: Following Cup Victory With Panthers, Montour Aims To Build Winning Culture In Seattle
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