Wednesday is when the hockey world will know who will make up the first ever roster for the Seattle Kraken (am I just going to copy-paste what I wrote four years ago? Maybe). Since here is less than 24 hours left, I figured that I might as well do up an expansion draft as well. I'm not going to do what I did last time and draft two rosters (one I though who would be pick, and the other being who I'd want them to), instead I'm going to impose a few rules. Besides the basics such as position and salary, there are a few guidelines I'm drafting by:
- One this is that I'm trying to keep the cap as low as possible. I ended up higher than I wanted to, but left a sizeable enough room for them to operate afterwards.
- No currently-impending UFAs. RFAs are okay as they still retained the rights. I get that they would have a week to negotiate a contract, but given some of the bigger fish are looking to go to free agency I'm going under the assumption they won't be signed.
Once again using CapFriendly's expansion draft tool, here is who I think Seattle will take, going team-by-team:
Anaheim Ducks
Who I think Seattle picks: Alexander Volkov (LW) - $700,000
Reason: Haydn Fleury seems like a popular pick, and I sort of agree. However the Ducks were one of the last teams I picked from and needed to reach the forward minimum. Volkov has another year under contract and is an RFA after. At worst he's minor-league depth (which every team needs).
Other Considerations: Haydn Fleury (D)
Arizona Coyotes
Who I think Seattle picks: Christian Fischer (RW) - $1,000,000
Reason: Given my restrictions this was one of the harder teams to choose from, as a lot of options were UFAs this year. RFA's didn't seem as appealing, so Fischer gets it almost by default.
Other Considerations: Michael Bunting (LW)*
Boston Bruins
Who I think Seattle picks: Ondrej Kase (RW) - $2,600,000
Reason: Kase would be in interesting pick. Has potential as he's still relatively young at 25. The oft-injured winger could bounce back and proved a boost to the Kraken's offense.
Other Considerations: Nick Ritchie (LW), Mike Reilly (D)*
Buffalo Sabres
Who I think Seattle picks: Colin Miller (D) - $3,875,000
Reason: Unfortunately passing isn't an option. Zemgus Girgensons was my initial pick, but then I remembered Miller was picked by Vegas and thought it would be cool to have one guy that got picked by both recent expansion teams.
Other Considerations: Zemgus Girgensons (C)
Calgary Flames
Who I think Seattle picks: Mark Giordano (D) - $6,750,000
Reason: One of the big fish available that I think Seattle will go for. He's still productive at 37 and only has a year left, so if he doesn't work out it's not going to hamper Seattle long-term. So say hello to your new captain Seattle.
Other Considerations: Matthew Phillips (C), Oliver Kylington (D)
Carolina Hurricanes
Who I think Seattle picks: Jake Bean (D) - $863,333
Reason:The young defender is an RFA and just completed his rookie season after putting up good numbers in the AHL for the past two years. If Seattle were to start with a younger core he would be a key part of the defense.
Other Considerations: Nino Niederreiter (LW), Dougie Hamilton (D)*
Chicago Blackhawks
Who I think Seattle picks: Adam Gaudette (C) - $950,000
Reason: Not much that was appealing. Gaudette is a decent young player who will likely bounce back after a terrible season.
Other Considerations: Brandon Pirri (LW)*, Malcolm Subban (G)
Colorado Avalanche
Who I think Seattle picks: Joonas Donskoi (RW) - $3,900,000
Reason: My no-UFA policy takes out some appealing options (Gabriel Landeskog, Brandon Saad) so I'll go with the next best forward in Donskoi, how is still good in his won right. He could provide middle-six support or be flipped.
Other Considerations: Gabriel Landeskog (LW)*, Brandon Saad (RW)*
Columbus Blue Jackets
Who I think Seattle picks: Max Domi (C) - $5,300,000
Reason: Skimming through the Blue Jackets roster, there weren't may interesting options. At least with Domi, Seattle gets a good center that is looking to have a bounce-back year.
Other Considerations: None.
Dallas Stars
Who I think Seattle picks: Julius Honka (D) - $700,000
Reason: Most options were UFA or still projects. I thought about Ben Bishop but between age, cap hit, and having an NMC I don't think it would be too appealing to Seattle. Instead I'm picking Honka, mostly to see if the great analytics war over him will re-ignite if it happened.
Other Considerations: Jamie Oleksiak (D)*, Mark Pysyk (D)*, Ben Bishop (G)
Detroit Red Wings
Who I think Seattle picks: Troy Stecher (D) - $1,700,000
Reason: Surprisingly some decent options from a team that is still in rebuild mode. I think the consensus is Stecher getting picked, and it would be a good one, as the Richmond, B.C. native would go back to the west coast (and likely annoy Canuck fans who really want him back).
Other Considerations: Frans Nielsen (C), Vladislav Namestnikov (RW), Evgeny Svechnikov (LW)
Edmonton Oilers
Who I think Seattle picks: Oscar Klefbom (D) - $4,167,000
Reason: The Oilers left a few interesting options exposed, but I think the pick is to go with arguably the best available in Klefbom. Injuries sidelined him last year, but at 27 he still has some productive years left. Plus, take him and Giordano and pair them together (combined with Stecher) and watch western Canada meltdown.
Other Considerations: Jujhar Khaira (C), Dominik Kahun (LW)
Florida Panthers
Who I think Seattle picks: Chris Driedger (G) - $850,000
Reason: A cheat pick as Seattle has basically signed him.
Other Considerations: Markus Nutivaara (D), Frank Vatrano (RW)
Los Angeles Kings
Who I think Seattle picks: Carl Grundstrom (LW) - $725,000
Reason: There are some options on the Kings, mostly relating to youth as they look to rebuild. Grundstrom would be a good pick as he's only 23 and still has potential to be a decent piece of Seattle's future. If not, then he can be flipped.
Other Considerations: Kale Clague (D), Martin Frk (RW)*
Minnesota Wild
Who I think Seattle picks: Kaapo Kahkonen (G) - $725,000
Reason: Nick Bjugstad was what I was initially thinking, but it seems like Kahkonen has become the popular pick after a good rookie campaign. Might be worth the gamble given he's still on a cheap deal for another year.
Other Considerations: Nick Bjugstad (C), Carson Soucy (D)
Montreal Canadiens
Who I think Seattle picks: Brett Kulak (D) - $1,850,000
Reason: Lets just get this out of the way: I very much doubt Seattle will pick Carey Price. Yes, he would be an instantly marketable star for them, but between his age, contract (both amount and remaining) and the news he may need surgery to start the season makes him unappealing to them. Who knows, maybe on wrong and Bergevin's bluff is called (and to a lesser extent leaving Shea Weber and Jonathan Drouin unprotected). Kulak is a good bottom-paring defenseman who can be flipped if Seattle chooses to.
Other Considerations: Jonathan Drouin (LW), Cale Fleury (D)
Nashville Predators
Who I think Seattle picks: Calle Jarnkrok (LW) - $2,000,000
Reason: Nashville has quite a few non-immediate UFA options. Matt Duchene and Ryan Johansen highlight them, and while Johansen may be the most appealing between the two (younger, has some connection to the west coast given he played in Portland in junior), I don't foresee Seattle taking on that kind of cap hit given his drop in production. Jarnkrok is a pretty solid pick at a reasonable cap hit, and is only under contract for next season.
Other Considerations: Ryan Johansen (C)
New Jersey Devils
Who I think Seattle picks: Scott Wedgewood (G) - $700,000
Reason: There were a few options on defense that were intriguing, but in the end I think they go for a cheaper option in Wedgewood. He's has one year remaining so either a low-risk gamble/minor league goaltending depth or someone that gets flipped shortly after the draft.
Other Considerations: P.K. Subban (D), Will Butcher (D), Andreas Johnsson (LW)
New York Islanders
Who I think Seattle picks: Sebastian Aho (D) - $725,000
Reason: Jordan Eberle and Josh Bailey are the go-to options, but given the cap implications I'm guessing they go a different route. Aho is still young and shows promise. Plus, it would be funny to see his name announced and have Carolina freak out for a second before realizing it's the other Aho.
Other Considerations: Jordan Eberle (RW), Josh Bailey (RW)
New York Rangers
Who I think Seattle picks: Julian Gauthier (RW) - $863,333
Reason: Looks like slim pickings from the Rangers, and I don't think that the Kraken are eager to take on Barclay Goodrow's new contract. Gauthier is probably the best out of all the options.
Other Considerations: Ty Ronning (C)
Ottawa Senators
Who I think Seattle picks: Vitaly Abramov (LW) - $730,833
Reason: Evgeni Dadonov was the first player I looked at, but again the cap hit may be too high for what Seattle wants. Maybe they take a flyer on an RFA here and see how it goes.
Other Considerations: Evgeni Dadonov (RW)
Philadelphia Flyers
Who I think Seattle picks: Shayne Gostisbehere (D) - $4,500,000
Reason: The only interseting options from the Flyers may also be the most expensive ones. Gostisbehere is the younger of the bunch and it may be easier to move a defenseman if they so choose to (like Vegas did).
Other Considerations: Jakub Voracek (RW), James van Riemsdyk
Pittsburgh Penguins
Who I think Seattle picks: Zach Aston-Reese (LW) - $1,000,000
Reason: Almost a no-brainer. Aston-Reese is a solid shutdown winger. Being an RFA, that cap hit will likely be higher, but for now the $1,000,000 price tag is a bargain.
Other Considerations: Marcus Pettersson (D), Evan Rodrigues (RW)
San Jose Sharks
Who I think Seattle picks: Ryan Donato (LW) - $1,900,000
Reason: Another one were there doesn't seem to be much to choose from. Donato is a decent winger who is a pending RFA. Another pick that has the potential to be flipped.
Other Considerations: Matt Nieto (LW)
St. Louis Blues
Who I think Seattle picks: Vladimir Tarasenko (RW) - $7,500,000
Reason: Another big fish that I think Seattle goes for. His time in St. Louis is basically over at this point and he may miss the start of the year due to surgery, so there is a risk. However, Tarasenko can still put the puck into the net, and - beside the draft - it's not a skill that comes around for free too often.
Other Considerations: Jaden Schwartz (LW)*, Vince Dunn (D), Samuel Blais (RW)
Tampa Bay Lightning
Who I think Seattle picks: Yanni Gourde (C) - $5,166,666
Reason: I've been light on center picks so far, so the Lightning give me a chance to correct. As much as Seattle probably wanted multiple picks from them, they can only choose one. Gourde is probably the best available, as he's shown he can produce for the Lightning.
Other Considerations: Ondrej Palat (RW), Tyler Johnson (RW), Alex Barre-Boulet (C)
Toronto Maple Leafs
Who I think Seattle picks: Jared McCann (LW) - $2,940,000
Reason: I'm not too sold on the leaked video of Seattle picking Alex Kerfoot. Sure, he was rumoured to be a target of theirs, but if you have someone of similar profile who is younger and cheaper (like McCann is), I can't see why they would pass on that option.
Other Considerations: Alex Kerfoot (C), Travis Dermott (D)
Vancouver Canucks
Who I think Seattle picks: Jay Beagle (C) - $3,000,000
Reason: The Canucks didn't have much that was interesting. I did start warming up to the idea of Beagle being picked and used as a defensive shutdown/penalty killing center then flipped during the season. Given that he one has one year left it's not a terrible gamble to make.
Other Considerations: Sven Baertschi (LW), Travis Hamonic (D)*
Washington Capitals
Who I think Seattle picks: Vitek Vanecek (G) - $716,667
Reason: As much as it would be amazing, I'm not so sure the Kraken would take Ovechkin. Vanecek seems like the popular option given his performance last season, and is another low-risk goalie gamble/trade chip.
Other Considerations: Alex Ovechkin (LW)*, Carl Hagelin (LW)
Winnipeg Jets
Who I think Seattle picks: Dylan Demelo (D) - $3,000,000
Reason: Another solid defenseman with term. Seattle will have plenty of options with Demelo (whether they choose to play him or trade him).
Other Considerations: Mathieu Perreault (LW)*
* Notes considerations that are UFA this year.
Name
|
Position
|
Former Team
|
| Vitaly Abramov |
Forward
|
Ottawa Senators |
| Zach Aston-Reese |
Forward
|
Pittsburgh Penguins |
| Jay Beagle |
Forward
|
Vancouver Canucks |
| Max Domi |
Forward
| Columbus Blue Jackets |
| Ryan Donato |
Forward
|
San Jose Sharks |
| Joonas Donskoi |
Forward
|
Colorado Avalanche |
| Christian Fischer |
Forward
|
Arizona Coyotes |
| Adam Gaudette |
Forward
|
Chicago Blackhawks |
| Julian Gauthier |
Forward
|
New York Rangers |
| Yanni Gourde |
Forward
|
Tampa Bay Lightning |
| Carl Grundstrom |
Forward
| Los Angeles Kings |
| Calle Jarnkrok |
Forward
| Nashville Predators |
| Ondrej Kase |
Forward
| Boston Bruins |
| Jared McCann |
Forward
|
Toronto Maple Leafs |
| Vladimir Tarasenko |
Forward
| St. Louis Blues |
| Alexander Volkov |
Forward
| Anaheim Ducks |
| Sebastian Aho |
Defenseman
| New York Islanders |
| Jake Bean |
Defenseman
| Carolina Hurricanes |
| Dylan Demelo |
Defenseman
| Winnipeg Jets |
| Mark Giordano |
Defenseman
| Calgary Flames |
| Shayne Gostisbehere |
Defenseman
|
Philadelphia Flyers |
| Julius Honka |
Defenseman
|
Dallas Stars |
| Oscar Klefbom |
Defenseman
|
Edmonton Oilers |
| Brett Kulak |
Defenseman
|
Montreal Canadiens |
| Colin Miller |
Defenseman
| Buffalo Sabres |
| Troy Strecher |
Defenseman
|
Detroit Red Wings |
| Chris Driedger |
Goalie
|
Florida Panthers |
| Kaapo Kahkonen |
Goalie
|
Minnesota Wild |
| Vitek Vanecek |
Goalie
|
Washington Capitals |
| Scott Wedgewood |
Goalie
| New Jersey Devils |
To summarized: 16 forwards, 10 defensemen, and 4 goalies were picked, with 22 under contract for next year. The cap hit is just shy of $71.4-million, leaving about $10-million in cap space to use, which leaves Seattle with a good chunk to use on free agency (or to sign some of the RFAs). It was lighter on centers than I expected, but given some of the picks were done with trades in mind there is the possibly to shore up that position. Same with goalies, as much as it would be tempting to pick a big name there, age and contracts may lead to them looking to acquire it elsewhere. On the other side, Seattle will have a pretty strong defense.
Will any of this be what Seattle does? Maybe a few picks. We'll find out tonight.
