Kruger is at an odd contract point because of some people who could say, oh hes a "4th line" center which is really nonsense when you view how he has been deployed for 3 years. Q doesn't really number the lines anyway though.
The Hawks can't really afford a typical good 3rd line center deal of 3-3.5 Mil contract range. But if they sign him early at the most of 2.7 or something he'll fit in well to stay. Even if nobody offersheets him beyond the Hawks pay if they don't sign him early, he can go to arbitration and arbitration battles now allow you to use advanced stats in the case. So He would get awarded a Boyd Gordon type number at the least.