On Monday, June 29, the Seattle Kraken signed forwards Lleyton Roed and J.R. Avon to one-year NHL contracts with an average annual value (AAV) of $850,000.
Roed went undrafted but signed with the Coachella Valley Firebirds, the Kraken’s American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate team, as a free agent. This followed his collegiate performance in the 2023-24 season, where he recorded 30 points in 38 games with Bemidji State University. He played five games with the Firebirds this season and scored one goal and recorded one assist. Roed also played in five postseason games with Coachella Valley and scored one goal.
The 2024-25 season was Roed’s first full-time season in the AHL. He played in 56 games with the Firebirds and recorded 26 points via 13 goals and 13 assists. For his first season playing professional hockey, he had a good start to his offensive performance.
In the 2025-26 season, Roed played another full season with the Firebirds, recording 38 points in 65 games. This currently stands as his career-high point total throughout his professional career. Roed also played in 12 postseason games and recorded seven assists.
Roed has only played in two full seasons with the Firebirds, but he is already becoming an offensive threat to the other teams. He has yet to play a game with the Kraken in the NHL, but he is still gaining valuable experience by playing in the AHL.
Avon has also been in the AHL for the last three seasons, playing full-time for each of them. In 2023-24, he played for the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, playing in 65 games and recording 18 points. His performance took a slight dip in the 2024-25 season, and he recorded 17 points in 60 games.
Before the start of the 2025-26 season, Avon was traded to the Kraken in exchange for Tucker Robertson. He played 45 games with the Firebirds and recorded 24 points, the highest of his career thus far. He also played 12 postseason games and recorded eight points via seven goals and one assist.
Avon has been a great addition to the Firebirds since joining the team last season. Now that they have re-signed him, he will only continue to improve with the Kraken organization.
Both Avon and Roed are critical pieces to the Kraken’s offensive group. They are both looking for their first chance at NHL ice, and perhaps they will get that opportunity next season. Regardless, they are going to be great pieces of the Firebirds’ offensive group for the upcoming 2026-27 season.
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