Get to Know the Newest Kraken, Michael Eyssimont

On March 5, the Seattle Kraken traded forwards Oliver Bjorkstrand and Yanni Gourde with Kyle Aucoin and a 2026 fifth-round pick to the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for forward Michael Eyssimont. The Kraken also received a 2025 second-round pick, a 2026 first-round pick, and a 2027 first-round pick.

While the Kraken have some talent to gain in the next few seasons via prospects, let’s take a look at the new face joining Seattle now.

Beginning of Eyssimont’s Career

Eyssimont was a part of the 2016 NHL Draft class. He was drafted in the fifth round by the Los Angeles Kings. He never played with the Kings, as he was still playing at the collegiate level during this time. Eyssimont played for St. Cloud State from the 2015-16 season until 2017-18. In these three seasons, he played in 115 games. He amassed a total of 101 points via 45 goals and 56 assists. 

In the 2017-18 season, he played three games in the American Hockey League (AHL) with the Ontario Reign, the Kings’ AHL affiliate, and earned one point from one assist in these three games. Also, in 2018, he signed his first pro contract: a two-year entry-level deal with the Kings. He went on to play three full seasons with the Reign, from 2018-19 through 2020-21. He laced up for 159 games and totaled 65 points in these three seasons, scoring 31 goals and earning 34 assists. 

At the end of the 2020-21 season, the Kings did not re-sign his contract, and he became a free agent. Eyssimont was picked up by the Winnipeg Jets. During the 2021-22 season, he played 58 games for their AHL affiliate, the Manitoba Moose, recording 42 points via 18 goals and 24 assists. On April 11, 2022, Eyssimont laced up in the NHL for the first time. He took 12 shifts and spent five minutes and 49 seconds on the ice, failing to earn points. Eyssimont was sent back down to the Moose, where he finished the season. He played in five playoff games, scoring one goal. 

The 2022-23 season was a chaotic one for Eyssimont. He played nine games with the Moose, scoring two goals and earning seven assists for a nine-point total. He earned some more NHL ice time, playing 19 games for the Jets, putting up five points via one goal and four assists. In January 2023, the Jets placed him on waivers, and the San Jose Sharks picked him up on Jan. 6. Eyssimont played in 20 games with the Sharks, scoring eight points via three goals and five assists.