Seattle Kraken draft expansion preview

On Wednesday, July 21, the NHL’s newest franchise will finally fill their roster via the expansion draft. The Seattle Kraken will choose one player from each of the other 30 teams in the league, except for Vegas, who is exempt from the process as the other most recent expansion franchise. The other 30 teams will be allowed to protect players via one of two methods:

1. Seven forwards, three defensemen, and one goalie; or
2. Eight skaters and one Goalie

Most teams will be using Option 1, but there were a couple of franchises that went the Option 2 route (Nashville, Tampa Bay and Toronto) because they wanted to protect more than three defensemen.

In addition to the 30 players that the Kraken will select, there are some additional stipulations that they must meet: positional, contractual and salary cap requirements. 

Positional requirements for the expansion selections must include at least 14 forwards, nine defensemen and three goalies; the other four players may be from any position. Contractual requirements require that at least 20 of the 30 selections must be under contract for the 2021-22 season, meaning a maximum of 10 selections can be restricted or unrestricted free agents – which technically are not part of the 30 franchises but would count as the selection from the franchise if chosen. Seattle will be given an exclusive four-day negotiation period to sign any unrestricted free agent before they can sign with another team. Salary cap rules require that the 30 selections be at least 60% of the NHL salary cap and no more than 100% of the cap.

Below are the team-by-team breakdowns with the options I would consider for Seattle.

Anaheim Ducks

Kevin Shattenkirk (Defenseman, 32 years old, $3.90million AAV, UFA 2023)
Haydn Fleury (D, 25, $1.30m, RFA 2022)
Josh Mahura (D, 23, $745k, RFA 2021)

Selection: Mahura (D). Shattenkirk is an option if the cap floor was more in play, but there are some better options down the road and Mahura offers a little more upside than Fleury at a cheaper price and younger age – the only issue here is using up one of the 10 available spots for players not yet under contract, but the restricted free agents are more of a sure thing as Seattle can retain him for sure if they give him a qualifying offer.

Arizona Coyotes

Michael Bunting (Forward, 25, $750k, UFA 2021)
Jordan Gross (D, 26, $750k, UFA 2021)

Selection: Bunting (F). Gross has some upside as a young defenseman, but Bunting has shown some major offensive talent and has already produced at the NHL level.

Boston Bruins

Taylor Hall (F, 29, $4.00m, UFA 2021)
Ondrej Kase (F, 25, $2.60m, UFA 2021)
Nick Ritchie (F, 25, $1.50m, UFA 2021)
Jakub Zboril (D, 24, $725k, RFA 2022)

Selection: Zboril (D). this may seem surprising but none of the forwards come with a guarantee of playing a game for the Kraken, whereas Zboril is the youngest, cheapest and under control for multiple years still. I could see a draft pick compensation deal here to have Seattle take Taylor Hall instead of Zboril, with a second-round pick going from Boston to Seattle.

Buffalo Sabres

Zemgus Girgensons (F, 27, $2.20m, UFA 2023)
Jean-Sebastien Dea (F, 27, $700k, UFA 2021)

Selection: Girgensons (F). This is likely the worst unprotected list in the entire NHL, Girgensons is likely, at best, a fourth-line center if he even makes the opening night roster. Dea is perhaps a little more talented but not nearly enough to use one of the non-contracted slots.

Calgary Flames

Mark Giordano (D, 37, $6.75m, UFA 2022)
Brett Ritchie (F, 28, $700k, UFA 2022)

Selection: Ritchie (F). He is an underrated player with a solid two-way game ideal for one of the depth lines. Giordano might be a crowd-pleasing option but at 37 years old, his best games are behind him, so he’s not a good value at $6.75 million for the upcoming season.

Carolina Hurricanes

Nino Niederreiter (F, 28, $5.25m, UFA 2022)
Petr Mrazek (Goalie, 29, $3.13m, UFA 2021)
Jake Bean (D, 23, $863k, RFA 2021)
Morgan Geekie (F, 22, $763k, UFA 2022)

Selection: Jake Bean (D). All four of these guys would be reasonable picks, but the two young guys offer the most upside for a new franchise. With some difficulty in filling out the requirement for nine defensemen, I am going to go with Bean. Carolina may be willing to offer some compensation to Seattle in order to retain Bean and Geekie, but they are in position to make a Stanley Cup run, so I don’t think they would really want to give up a pick in order to lose a more seasoned player like Niederreiter.

Chicago Blackhawks

Calvin de Haan (D, 30, $4.55m, UFA 2022)
Vinnie Hinostroza (F, 27, $1.00m, UFA 2021)
Adam Gaudette (F, 24, $950k, RFA 2021)

Selection: Gaudette (F). This is a clear spot where a trade may happen, as Chicago will likely not want to lose Gaudette, so Hinostroza may end up being the Kraken player in the fall with a future first- or second-round pick heading to Seattle.

Colorado Avalanche

Gabriel Landeskog (F, 28, $5.57m, UFA 2021)
Brandon Saad (F, 28, $5.00m, UFA 2021)
Joonas Donskoi (F, 29, $3.90m, UFA 2023)

Selection: Landeskog (F). This is a gamble for the Kraken, but Landeskog could be a cornerstone piece of the offense for years to come if they go all-in on the contract offer. If Seattle doesn’t feel like they can get the contract signed, they may look to Donskoi instead or attempt to see if Colorado would send a pick in order to retain Donskoi by selecting Saad instead.

Columbus Blue Jackets

Max Domi (F, 26, $5.30m, UFA 2022)
Mikhail Grigorenko (F, 27, $1.20m, UFA 2021)
Kevin Stenlund (F, 24, $874k, RFA 2022)

Selection: Domi (F). This isn’t much of a choice in my mind, Stenlund offers some salary savings, but Domi has the highest ceiling of the group and has shown some promise as an NHL player already.

Dallas Stars

Ben Bishop (G, 34, $4.92m, UFA 2023)
Jamie Oleksiak (D, 28, $2.14m UFA 2021)
Joel L’Esperance (F, 25, $725k, RFA 2022)

Selection: L’Esperance (F). Many people are pegging Bishop as the selection here, but I am going for the upside young guy who has 55 goals and 85 points in 112 AHL games over the past two seasons.

Detroit Red Wings

Danny DeKeyser (D, 31, $5.00m, UFA 2022)
Christian Djoos (D, 26, $1.00m, RFA 2021)
Dennis Cholowski (D, 23, $894k, RFA 2021)
Evgeny Svechnikov (F, 24, $874k, RFA 2021)

Selection: Cholowski (D). DeKeyser offers more veteran presence, Djoos offers another young option, and Svechnikov has name pedigree, but Cholowski has played well at a young age in the AHL and has a higher ceiling than Djoos.

Edmonton Oilers

Oscar Klefbom (D, 27, $4.17m, UFA 2023)
Tyson Barrie (D, 29, $3.75m, UFA 2021)
Kyle Turris (D, 31, $1.65m, UFA 2022)

Selection: Turris (F). This is another wasteland of options, but I am leaning Turris with Klefbom likely being out for the entire 2021-22 season and Barrie being an unrestricted option with no guarantee of signing.

Florida Panthers

Selection: Chris Driedger (G, 27, $850k, UFA 2021). This is a done deal with word spreading that he will sign a three-year, $3.50 million AAV contract during the Seattle negotiation period.

Los Angeles Kings

Blake Lizotte (F, 23, $925k, RFA 2022)
Kale Clague (D, 23, $762k, RFA 2021)
Carl Grundstrom (F, 23, $725k, RFA 2022)

Selection: Clague (D). Lizotte is certainly in play, but the young defenseman has a high ceiling and as a restricted free agent, he is a lock to remain on Seattle with a qualifying offer.

Minnesota Wild

Carson Soucy (D, 26, $2.75m, UFA 2023)
Nick Bjugstad (F, 29, $2.05m, UFA 2022)
Kaapo Kahkonen (G, 24, $725, RFA 2022)

Selection: Kahkonen (G). This is pretty much a lock in my mind, he is the youngest, cheapest and plays the more important position. He should step in and become part of the Kraken goaltending rotation.

Montreal Canadiens

Carey Price (G, 33, $10.50m, UFA 2026)
Jonathan Drouin (F, 26, $5.50m, UFA 2023)
Brett Kulak (D, 27, $1.85m, UFA 2022)

Selection: Kulak (D). Many people are jumping to conclusions and just penciling in Price, but I think at his age and salary, it is a mistake for the young franchise. His selection would hinder the development of the young goaltenders and is unlikely to provide similar returns playing in front of an expansion team defense. Drouin is an option, but I like the 27-year old defenseman at one-third of the price.

Nashville Predators

Colton Sissons (F, 27, $2.86m, UFA 2026)
Rocco Grimaldi (F, 28, $2.00m, UFA 2022)
Calle Jarnkrok (F, 29, $2.00m, UFA 2022)
Yakov Trenin (F, 24, $725k, RFA 2022)

Selection: Trenin (F). Not many options due to the trade of Ryan Ellis to Philadelphia and Nashville smartly employing the option to protect their defensive depth instead of a bunch of middling forwards. Trenin offers the youth, salary and control that the veterans don’t, other than Sissons, while having a goal scorer upside after a 20-goal, 35-point season in 32 games during his most recent AHL campaign.

New Jersey Devils

P.K. Subban (D, 32, $9.00m, UFA 2022)
Nick Merkley (F, 24, $874k, RFA 2021)

Selection: Merkley (F). Subban is certainly in play if Seattle decides to go the inexpensive route for some other teams, but Merkley has shown some offensive ability in the AHL, Finnish league and in his first extended stint in the NHL.

New York Islanders

Selection: Jordan Eberle (F, 31, $5.50m, UFA 2024). This is the only option in my opinion from the Islanders. Kyle Palmieri has some value, but he is an unrestricted free agent and would need a raise to sign with Seattle.

New York Rangers

Barclay Goodrow (F, 28, $925k, UFA 2021)
Julien Gauthier (F, 23, $863k, RFA 2022)
Colin Blackwell (F, 28, $725k, UFA 2022)

Selection: Gauthier (F). A couple decent options here but without a standout, I am leaning toward the younger player who is under more control and doesn’t count towards the contractual limit, as Goodrow would.

Ottawa Senators

Evgenii Dadonov (F, 32, $5.00m, UFA 2023)
Joey Daccord (G, 24, $750k, RFA 2023)

Selection: Daccord (G). Dadonov certainly would give some offensive boost, but at 32-years old and two more years at what looks like a bad contract, there are better places to spend money. Daccord provides a development goalie who can go down to the minors and be the fourth goalie in the system.

Philadelphia Flyers

Jakub Voracek (F, 31, $8.25m, UFA 2024)
James van Riemsdyk (F, 32, $7.00m, UFA 2023)
Shayne Gostisbehere (D, 28, $4.50m, UFA 2023)

Selection: van Riemsdyk (F). The Flyers did not leave many young options on the board, so I am going with the guy who offers the most value and could come off the books in two years, as opposed to three years for Voracek.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Jason Zucker (F, 29, $5.50m, UFA 2023)
Marcus Pettersson (D, 25, $4.03m, UFA 2025)
Evan Rodrigues (F, 27, $700k, UFA 2021)

Selection: Pettersson (D). For a good of a team as Pittsburgh is year in and year out, they really did not have many decent options available for Seattle to choose from. Pettersson is a guy I think can be an All-Star level defenseman in the NHL and with the lack of talent available at defense in this expansion draft, Seattle needs to take a shot somewhere.

San Jose Sharks

Ryan Donato (F, 25, $1.90m, RFA 2021)
Dylan Gambrell (F, 24, $700k, RFA 2022)

Selection: Donato (F). The only question with this pick is whether the Sharks want to offer up a draft pick in exchange for Seattle taking someone else because Donato is miles ahead of Gambrell in my mind.

St. Louis Blues

Vladimir Tarasenko (F, 29, $7.50m, UFA 2023)
Vince Dunn (D, 24, $1.88m, RFA 2021)
Sammy Blais (F, 25, $1.50m, RFA 2022)

Selection: Tarasenko (F). While both Dunn and Blais are solid young players, the opportunity to add an All-Star caliber player like Tarasenko should be too good for the Kraken to pass up. He instantly becomes the face of the franchise and marketing darling for the new franchise.

Tampa Bay Lightning

Ondrej Palat (F, 30, $5.30m, UFA 2022)
Yanni Gourde (F, 29, $5.17m, UFA 2025)
Alex Killorn (F, 31, $4.45m, UFA 2023)
Alex Barre-Boulet (F, 24, $759k, RFA 2021)

Selection: Gourde (F). He gives Seattle a quality center to man one of the top two lines while maintaining contractual control for the next four seasons. While Palat and Killorn are talented players, they benefit greatly from the strength of the Tampa Bay system around them.

Toronto Maple Leafs

Alexander Kerfoot (F, 26, $3.50m, UFA 2023)
Jared McCann (F, 25, $2.94m, RFA 2022)
Zach Hyman (F, 29, $2.25m, UFA 2021)

Selection: McCann (F). He had a breakout season for the Penguins before being dealt to the Maple Leafs recently, with his talent, age and contract situation, I feel he is the clear choice here.

Vancouver Canucks

Braden Holtby (G, 31, $4.30m, UFA 2022)
Jake Virtanen (F, 24, $2.25m, RFA 2022)
Zack MacEwan (F, 25, $825k, RFA 2022)

Selection: Virtanen (F). This was one of the tougher teams to choose from with not a whole lot on the table to choose from. MacEwan is a decent prospect, but things do not seem to be clicking for him. Holtby could give the Kraken a veteran netminder but with only a year left on his contract, I would rather let a younger player develop. That leaves Virtanen, who amazingly is entering his seventh season with the Canucks and despite an awful season this year, he had made good progressions in previous years (36 points in 69 games in 2019-20)

Washington Capitals

Selection: Vitek Vanecek (G, 25, $717k, RFA 2022). This is a stone-cold lock if I’m making the selections for the Kraken, with a 21-10-4 record, 2.69 GAA and .908 SV%, a 25-year old goalie with multiple years of contractual control offers big value to Seattle.

Winnipeg Jets

Mason Appleton (F, 25, $900k, RFA 2022)
Sami Niku (D, 24, $725k, RFA 2022)

Selection: Niku (D). The Winnipeg list consisted of some older forwards and a bunch of worthless options. The decision for Seattle comes down to whether they take the young upside defenseman or the solid depth forward. I’m leaning Niku, but I think this may be a spot where Winnipeg offers up a pick in order to have Seattle take Appleton instead.

Final roster

I feel similar about this roster as I did when Vegas choose their initial team in 2017 – there is quite a bit of offensive talent on the roster, but the defense looks to be seriously lacking. A talented group of young goaltenders should help the blueliners but there may be some growing pains defensively for the Kraken. Either way, Seattle fans have been waiting for this day for a long time and will embrace the team win or loss