Chandler Stephenson is leaving the Golden Knights.

The center, who went from a fourth-line player in Washington to an All Star with the Knights, is signing a seven-year deal with an average annual value of $6.25 million with the Seattle Kraken the first day of NHL free agency Monday, according to multiple reports.

Sportsnet was the first to report the news.

Stephenson, 30, had 51 points in 75 games last season.

He was first acquired in December 2019 in one of the best trades in Knights’ history. The team sent the Capitals a fifth-round pick for a player who turned into a top-six fixture.

Stephenson scored 237 points in 327 games his five seasons with the Knights. The two-time Stanley Cup champion had just 33 points in 168 games with Washington.

Stephenson was named an All Star for the first time during the 2022-23 season. He scored 20 points in the Knights’ 22 playoff games last year to win his second championship. He also lifted the Cup with the Capitals in 2018.

Stephenson’s departure in free agency seemed likely. The Knights acquired center Tomas Hertl from the San Jose Sharks on March 8. Hertl, who is under contract for the next six years with a $6.75 million cap hit, can slide into Stephenson’s place in the top six.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

Contact Danny Webster at [email protected]. Follow @DannyWebster21 on X.