Jaden Schwartz’s time with the Seattle Kraken was rarely straightforward, but even through five seasons of injuries, the veteran forward managed to leave behind a productive chapter of the franchise’s young history.
Schwartz played 301 games for Seattle, recording 79 goals and 89 assists for 168 points while becoming one of the more experienced players in the organization’s locker room.
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Now, he’s taking that experience somewhere else.
Schwartz signed a three-year, $9.75 million contract with the Colorado Avalanche this offseason, returning to a place that has been part of his hockey story since he was a teenager and giving him another opportunity to chase a Stanley Cup.
The 34-year-old dealt with injuries in nearly every season with the Kraken, but he still found ways to produce. His 26 goals during the 2024-25 season nearly matched the career-high 28 he scored with the St. Louis Blues in 2014-15.
That production helped make Schwartz an important piece of Seattle’s early years, even as injuries repeatedly interrupted his time on the ice.
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Schwartz arrived in Seattle in 2021 as an unrestricted free agent after spending the first 10 seasons of his NHL career with St. Louis. He brought 2019 Stanley Cup experience with him and became one of the veteran voices on a team attempting to establish itself as a new NHL franchise.
He ultimately spent five seasons with the Kraken, including Seattle’s run to the Western Conference semifinals in 2023.
Now, after leaving the organization, Schwartz has landed with an Avalanche team he believes is already close to another championship.
“Obviously, Colorado was very high on my list,” Schwartz said.
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When the Avalanche reached out this offseason, the opportunity immediately caught his attention.
“There’s so many good players, good organization, like I said, very good guys,” Schwartz said. “When they reached out, obviously, I was pretty excited.”
Schwartz also had a firsthand look at Colorado while playing in Seattle, and despite watching the Avalanche’s season end against Vegas in the Western Conference Final, he didn’t see a team that needed major changes.
“I think the Avs are definitely in a win-now mode,” Schwartz said. “Which is awesome to be a part of.”
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That belief was a major reason Colorado appealed to him.
Schwartz already knows what it takes to win a Stanley Cup, having played a key role in St. Louis’ championship run in 2019. He also understands how little can separate teams once the playoffs begin.
When asked what Colorado was missing after its postseason exit, Schwartz didn’t point to one specific area.
“I don’t think they’re lacking much,” he said. “The difference between winning and losing the playoffs is very, very tight, very narrow.”
Schwartz wasn’t able to watch much of the Avalanche’s series against Vegas because he was traveling, but he knew injuries had affected Colorado and understood how quickly circumstances can change a playoff series.
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“So, a bounce here or there in whatever game, two or three, I think it probably could have been a different series,” Schwartz said.
Now, he’ll have a chance to experience Colorado’s pursuit of another championship from inside the locker room.
Exactly where Schwartz fits remains unclear as training camp approaches.
“We’ll see,” Schwartz said. “I’m not sure. Different guys are going to slide and we’ll just see how camp goes. Just excited to be a part of it.”
That excitement has already been evident.
Schwartz was among the first players to arrive for optional skates, using the extra time to settle into Colorado, look at houses and get to know his new organization and teammates.
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Some of those teammates aren’t strangers.
After years of playing against them, crossing paths internationally and getting to know some through mutual friends, Schwartz is now on the same side.
“A lot of guys that I’ve just played against for a long time,” Schwartz said. “Seems like an awesome group. Everyone kind of reached out, so I’m looking forward to getting started with that.”
There is also a personal connection to Colorado that predates his NHL career.
At around 15 years old, Schwartz and his family traveled to Colorado to watch his older brother, Rylan, play for Colorado College. The trip eventually helped lead Jaden to the Tigers, where he recorded 32 goals and 56 assists for 88 points in 60 games over two seasons.
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The Blues selected him 14th overall in the 2010 NHL Draft, beginning a career that eventually brought him a Stanley Cup, five seasons in Seattle and now another opportunity in Colorado.
For the Kraken, Schwartz’s departure closes the book on one of the more experienced players from the franchise’s formative years.
For Schwartz, it’s the beginning of another chapter — and another chance to chase a championship.
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