Schwartz 'wasn't mentally ready' last season after father’s death

Jaden Schwartz found himself at a crossroads before the start of the 2020-21 season following the unexpected death of his father last November.

"I didn't even know if I was going to come back," the newly signed Seattle Kraken forward told The Athletic's Jeremy Rutherford. "This past year was pretty tough on me and my family. I didn't have much motivation to play and didn't really have time to train."

In addition to his father's death, the Saskatchewan native had to quarantine back home.

"It was a lot on me. I wasn't in a very good place," Schwartz said. "It's tough leaving your family and friends behind and not being there for them and not having them to be around me, either."

Although Schwartz, who was with the St. Louis Blues last season, almost decided not to play and forfeit his $4-million salary, he wanted to step up for the people around him.

“I wanted to be there for my teammates," he said. "I knew my mom and family really enjoyed watching me play hockey, and my dad would have wanted me to go back and play. I mostly did it for them, but it wasn't easy. I think my teammates knew that I wasn't at 100%."

Schwartz finished the campaign with just eight goals and 21 points in 40 contests. He missed 16 games due to an oblique injury and didn't register a point in the Blues' first-round loss to the Colorado Avalanche.

"I tried to do everything I could, but mentally and physically, I wasn't where I needed to be," Schwartz said. "It was the toughest year I've ever had in my life. I know I didn't finish well with the Blues, and that sucks, but I wasn't mentally ready for an NHL season at all."

After spending the first 10 campaigns of his career in St. Louis, Schwartz is more than ready to begin a new chapter in Seattle.

"I'm doing a lot better now," Schwartz said. "Mentally, I'm in a better spot, and I was able to train. I feel fresh again."

He added: "Seattle is such a good city, and being part of an expansion team in the new city is pretty special."

Schwartz signed a five-year deal worth $27.5 million with the Kraken earlier this offseason.