Seattle Kraken Mock Expansion Draft

On Wednesday July 21st the NHL will hold it’s second Expansion Draft in just 4 years as the Seattle Kraken prepare to enter the league. On Sunday, 30 of the 31 NHL teams — Vegas excluded — sent in their protected lists, officially unveiling all the players Seattle has to choose from.

In todays article, I’d like to take a stab at my first ever mock draft to try and see how the Kraken might set things up. But first, let’s go over some rules that were in place. Let’s start with the protected lists:

• A Team can choose to protect either 7 Forwards, 3 Defenseman, and 1 Goalie or protect 8 Skaters (Forwards & Defenseman) and 1 goalie.
• All players with No Movement Clauses at the time of the draft must be protected and will count towards the protection limit.
• All first & second year professionals as well as unsigned draft choices are protected and will not count towards the protection limit.
• One defenseman who is a) under contract in 2021–22 and b) played in at least 40 NHL games the prior season or played in at least 70 NHL games in the prior two seasons must be exposed.
• Two forwards who are a) under contract in 2021–22 and b) played at least 40 NHL games the prior season or played in at least 70 NHL games in the prior two seasons must be exposed.
• One goalie who is under contract in 2021–22 or will be a restricted free agent at the end of his current contract immediately prior to 2021–22 must be exposed. If a team elects to make a restricted free agent goalie available to meet this requirement, that goalie must have received his qualifying offer prior to the submission of the team’s protected list.
• Any player with a potential career-ending injury or who have missed more than the previous 60 consecutive games may not be used to satisfy exposure requirements unless approval was given by the NHL. If the approval was not given, then they are exempt from selection.

Now here are the rules that Seattle has to play by during the draft itself:

• A player from all 30 teams must be taken.
• Minimum 14 Forwards.
• Minimum 9 Defenseman.
• Minimum 3 Goalies.
• Minimum Cap Hit of $48.9M.
• Maximum Cap Hit of $81.5M.
• Minimum 20 players who have a contract through next season.

Now that that’s all out of the way; when it comes to my mock I’m going set forth a few guidelines for myself:

• No upcoming Free Agents (UFAs)— All players drafted will have a contract going into next season or be a restricted Free Agent (RFA)
• No trades. What I mean by this is I am not going to mock a possible trade. I may indicate that someone is picked that could be used for a trade, but that’s it.

Something to note here; there will be names you do not recognize and a few you might, that’s how expansion drafts work. What I am trying to do here is build a team that on paper could be mildly competitive from the start, but allows for enough space in the cap that would allow them to sign one or two guys during free agency.

Let’s get to it.

Anaheim Ducks

Haydn Fleury, Defenseman, 25 — $1.3M 2021, RFA 2022

Part of an expansion draft is making sensible picks when it comes to age, ability, control, and cap space. Fleury is a young defenseman on a cheap contract and will be under team control in 2022 when he is an RFA.

Will he be a top-6 defenseman? Likely, and this gives him a chance at a young age to move on from a flailing franchise and start fresh.

Arizona Coyotes

Christian Fisher, Left & Right Wing, 24 — $1M 2021, RFA 2022

A young kid with a lot of upside and a contract for next year? This would be a great fit and he likely would have a chance to slot in to the team this year.

Boston Bruins

Jeremy Lauzon, Defenseman, 24 — $850K 2021, RFA 2022

Another young player on a good contract — because he’s young. Lauzon, like Fleury, would have a chance at a top 6 role, and having some control next year when he’s an RFA helps too.

Buffalo Sabres

William Borgen, Defenseman, 24 — RFA, Previous Cap Hit: $864,166

There’s a bit of a theme here, but don’t worry we’ll get to some bigger names. With Buffalo it’s similar to what we did with Arizona and Anaheim; when it’s a bad team take the young promising players.

Borgen likely doesn’t make it to the Top 6, but he has upside and is young. He won’t cost much to keep since he’s an RFA and Seattle could simply sign-and-trade him if they so pleased.

Calgary Flames

Mark Giordano, Defenseman, 37 — $6.75M 2021, UFA 2022

Here’s one of your top defenseman and the leader of the team. Giordano may be 37, but he’s still producing at the same level as many other high level guys.

The problem is his price tag — $6.75M. Luckily, that is only for 1 year. You pay him at that number now and then he drops significantly in price the next year.

Carolina Hurricanes

Jake Bean, Defenseman, 23 — RFA, Previous Cap Hit: $863,333

Now this kid has some real upside. He’ll be a bit more expensive I imagine than the other RFAs, but nothing Seattle will balk at I think. He’s a really solid defenseman and he’s only 23. For me, this is a no brainer unless Carolina has some backend deal with Seattle.

Some people may say they should take Dougie Hamilton (UFA), but I feel if they really want him, they can trade away some other contracts and sign him in free agency.

Chicago Blackhawks

Adam Gaudette, Center, 24 — RFA, Previous Cap Hit: $950K

One thing that’s going to be tough for Seattle is finding capable centerman without ridiculous contracts in the expansion draft. We’ll talk more about this later, but Gaudette in my book is the first forward off the board.

He’s an RFA, so they can sign-and-trade. Or given that he hasn’t really broken through yet, his new deal won’t be too high and he can be a solid depth guy or a minor leaguer for a bit.

Colorado Avalanche

Joonas Donskoi, Right Wing, 29 — $3.9M 2021–2023, UFA 2023

A solid winger on a good deal for a couple of years. Donskoi can easily slot in to the 2nd or 3rd line and provide great two-way play for the Kraken.

I could see Seattle taking J.T. Compher here instead given that he is a younger guy with a similar style to Donskoi and on a slightly cheaper deal, but I think Seattle will want a slightly more established veteran player here.

Columbus Blue Jackets

Max Domi, Center/Left Wing, 26–$5.3M 2021, UFA 2022

This should be a no-brainer for Seattle. Is he the most expensive unprotected player in Columbus? Yes. Is he leaps and bounds the best player on their unprotected list? Yes again.

Now I know, he’s had a very up and down career thus far and at times has been a bit controversial in the locker room, but thus far he was stuck in Arizona, then on a Montreal team that he did perform for, but then traded to Columbus where he had to play under John Tortorella — who we know at times doesn’t know what to do with some players.

I give him the benefit of doubt, and Seattle, when a 26 year-old promising forward who we all know can perform is starting you in the face, you take him.

Dallas Stars

Tanner Kero, Center/Left Wing, 28 — $750K 2021–2023, UFA 2023

Another Expansion Draft, another no worry for us Stars fans. Sure, Seattle can take Ben Bishop here, but that’s a cool $5M on the cap for a goalie who has terrible injury problems. They could also select Blake Comeau ($2.4M, UFA 2022) or Jamie Oleksiak (UFA), but in my book, Comeau is a bit too old, and I don’t want to draft UFAs.

Kero came in to Dallas this season to be a backfill option when injuries occurred, and he filled that slot well. He’s a solid AHL player with 4th line upside, and with control for a couple years, he’s a good pick up.

Detroit Red Wings

Troy Stecher, Defenseman, 27 — $1.7M 2021, UFA 2022

Stecher is a solid defenseman on a cheap contract. He can fill a top 6 slot on Seattle without much issue.

Edmonton Oilers

Devin Shore, Center/Left & Right Wing, 27 — $700K 2021–2023, UFA 2023

For me, Shore is a perfect depth forward to have on your 3rd or 4th line. He’s one of this grind out players who fans will love because of his hard work. He’s not a world beater and has basically reached his potential at this point, but he’s the kind of guy that would fit nicely in this team.

Additionally, he’s on the right side of 30 and on a very cheap contract with control for a couple of years. A big plus.

Florida Panthers

Chris Driedger, Goalie, 27 — UFA, Projected Cap Hit: $1.16M 2021–2024, UFA 2024

Now just hold on a second, I know I said I wouldn’t include upcoming free agents, but according to Pierre LeBrun, Driedger has stated he intends to sign with the Kraken and they say they will be drafting him. That’s why he’s here.

This will be a solid take for Seattle. Driedger has had two good years in Florida, averaging around 2.06 GAA (goals against average). I have Driedger being their #1 goalie unless they go grab a different one in free agency or via a trade. I think he’s earned the spot and should get a chance to prove himself here.

The word is as well that Driedger will be signing a 3 year, $3.5M contract with Seattle, which is incredible for the team, allowing them to keep their cap space open.

Just a side note here as well; since Driedger is a free agent, he could hypothetically just have a handshake deal with Seattle and Seattle picks say, Frank Vatrano ($2.5M, UFA 2022) here and then signs Driedger anyways a few days later.

Los Angeles Kings

Blake Lizotte, Center, 23 — $925K 2021, RFA 2022

There isn’t much to take here with L.A., unless they want to grab an aging and declining Jonathan Quick ($5.8M, UFA 2023).

When you’re faced with that, take the young guy on a cheap contract. Lizotte is 23, so he still has years to properly develop and can spend time in the minors to better his game before getting called up.

Being that young as well means he’s only an RFA after the 2022 season, so he’ll still be under team control.

Minnesota Wild

Kaapo Kahkonen, Goalie, 24 — $725K 2021, RFA 2022

People are very high on Kaapo after a, full?, season with the Wild. He’s young and put up good numbers for a goalie his age. He slots in perfectly as a guy who can battle for the backup position behind Driedger.

Easy pick here.

Montreal Canadians

Jonathan Drouin, Center/Left Wing, 26 — $5.5M 2021–2024, UFA 2024

Everyone want’s Carey Price ($10.5M, UFA 2026) here, and so do I, but this for me is a more sensible pick. Price is simply too expensive for too long. If it was $10.5M for say 2 years, then I’d be all over it, but not for the next 5 years, that contract will tie the team up in cap hell and a new franchise doesn’t need that early on.

Drouin could use a change of scenery after leaving Montreal in March for undisclosed reasons. If he is healthy and okay, I imagine he’d be excited to go to a fresh team for a fresh start and likely start as their top line center.

Nashville Predators

Calle Jarnkrok, Center/Left & Right Wing, 29 — $2M 2021, UFA 2022

A perfect 3rd liner for this team. Jarnkrok will do just about everything, score a bit, defend a bit, grind a bit. He’s a great pick here from Nashville; rather then going after an expensive guy on a big contract like Duchene or Johansen, they can get a guy for just a year on a fair deal.

The only other name here I would consider is Colton Sissons (2.85M, UFA 2026), and this may be a tough decision for Seattle. Sissons is also a great two-way forward and is just a bit more money but for a much longer term.

I suspect if they want to have a few guys locked up for a while, they go Sissons here, but in my book, they should go Jarnkrok.

New Jersey Devils

Nathan Bastian, Center/Right Wing, 23 — $825K 2021–2023, RFA 2023.

This is a bit of a crap shoot. A lot of people think they should go P.K. Subban to establish a ‘Face of the Franchise’ type deal, but $9M for even one year for a guy who is severely declining just isn’t worth it.

Bastian can slot in as an minor leaguer/depth player until he develops more for the big league or be used as a trade piece.

New York Islanders

Jordan Eberle, Right Wing, 31 — $5.5M 2021–2024, UFA 2024

This is your big forward pick and the guy who will score you goals. Eberle has been great for the Isles, maybe not what he once was with Edmonton, but he’s also older now.

He can slot in as a 1st line winger as well as a leader on the team.

Another option here could be Josh Bailey ($5M, UFA 2024), a solid two-way player, but is more in line with a playmaker than a scorer. Seattle will need a scorer, so that’s why I went with Eberle.

New York Rangers

Colin Blackwell, Center/Right Wing, 28 — $725K 2021, UFA 2022

Blackwell is taken here because he’s a solid depth forward on a very cheap contract that can easily be gotten out of after a year, or be used as a trade piece.

Ottawa Senators

Evgenii Dadonov, Left & Right Wing, 32 — $5.5M 2021–2023, UFA 2023

The Kraken could easily go cheap here, or even go with someone like Chris Tierney ($3.5M, UFA 2022) to get a bit younger, but I would love to take Dadonov.

I really think a line containing Dadonov, Drouin, and Eberle could be a good one if the Kraken don’t go out and try and find a first line center in free agency.

Philadelphia Flyers

Shayne Gostisbehere, Defenseman, 28 — $4.5M 2021–2023, UFA 2023

A solid potential #1 defenseman that they can build off of. He’s getting older and has been declining, but a change of scenery I think could propel him once again. I’d love this pick here. He can slot in on the top pairing with Giordano, or you could balance it out and place in the 2nd pairing which may be more ideal.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Brandon Tanev, Right & Left Wing, 29 — $3.5M 2021–2025, UFA 2025

A solid 2nd line winger is what they’ll get here at a fare price. I could see the picks of either Zach Aston-Reese (RFA) if they want to go a bit younger or Marcus Pettersson ($4.025, UFA 2025) if they want a solidified top defensive pair.

But I’ve gone with Tanev because he’s a bit more solidified than Aston-Reese and a bit cheaper than Pettersson.

San Jose Sharks

Dylan Gambrell, Center, 24 — $700K 2021, RFA 2022

A young center who can slot in on the 3rd or 4th line fits nicely from the Sharks. I almost went Ryan Donato here instead, but Gambrell is a year younger, has a contract this year, and control next year when he is an RFA.

St. Louis Blues

Vince Dunn, Defenseman, 24 — RFA, Previous Cap Hit: $1.875M

Look, I know Tarasenko is out there, but just don’t do it. Take the shoulder injuries out of it, he was damn near uncoachable in St. Louis. Seattle needs a solid and comfortable start to their franchise and the last thing they need is for someone to make that more difficult than it needs to be.

Vince Dunn is a fantastic defenseman, and he’s only 24! At the most, he may ask for 3.5M per year, and that would be totally worth it to have him on the team as a solid 2nd pairing defenseman.

Tampa Bay Lightning

Yanni Gourde, Center/Left & Right Wing, 29–$5.167M 2021–2025, UFA 2025

This is also a pick that seems like a no-brainer to me along with Max Domi. Gourde can do absolutely everything, score, grind, play on the penalty kill, play on the power play, it doesn’t matter, he can do it.

He earned that new contract and is worth every bit of it. With Tampa not protecting him, I see this as an easy one. Nobody else on their list will give you what he does.

Toronto Maple Leafs

Jared McCann, Center/Left Wing, 25 — $2.94M 2021, UFA 2022

A young guy with goalscoring capabilities fits really well on Seattle’s 2nd or 3rd line. He’s also on a very good and cheap deal that only lasts a year.

Vancouver Canucks

Zach MacEwen, Center/Right Wing, 25 — $825K 2021, RFA 2022

Cheap and young. That’s what you take from the Vancouver Canucks.

Washington Capitals

Vitek Vanecek, Goalie, 25 — $716,667 2021, RFA 2022

Our 3rd and final goalie and one that can easily either battle for a backup position or be traded off for a good haul if needed.

Winnipeg Jets

Dylan DeMelo, Defenseman, 28 — $3M 2021–2024, UFA 2024

And our last picks goes to a good defenseman. DeMelo in my book will likely pair up with Giordano as the 1st defensive pairing, and that’s a pretty good top defensive pair to have.

He’s also on a good, cheap contract with control through 2024. Not much more to ask for there.

Projected Forward Lineups:

Evgenii Dadonov — Jonathan Drouin— Jordan Eberle

Max Domi— Yanni Gourde— Brandon Tanev

Calle Jarnkrok — Jared McCann— Joonas Donskoi

Devin Shore — Dylan Gambrell— Christian Fischer

Projected Defensive Pairings:

Mark Giordano— Dylan DeMelo

Shayne Gostisbehere— Vince Dunn

Jake Bean— Troy Stecher

Projected Goalie Lineup:

Chris Driedger

Kaapo Kahkonen

Vitek Vanecek

Depth Players:

Forwards: Adam Gaudette, Colin Blackwell, Blake Lizotte, Nathan Bastian, Tanner Kero, Zack McEwen

Defenseman: William Borgen, Haydn Fleury, Jeremy Lauzon

That’s it, that’s my mock draft for the Seattle Kraken 2021 Expansion Draft.

If Seattle was to draft exactly the same players I have listed here, that would put Seattle at a cap hit of $65,223,333 and leave them with roughly $16,276,667 in cap space to sign up the RFAs they want to keep as well as any free agents they want to go after — more than enough.

Speaking of free agents, it will be interesting to see what they do here. There are other players out there that would be enticing and slide right in to the team. I imagine they will be busy.

I also expect a lot of trades, just like Vegas did, so don’t expect the team you see drafted on Wednesday to be the one who is there even just a few days later.

As it stands though, this is a fairly competitive team that could easily make the playoffs in a weak Pacific Division.

Please feel free to let me know how I wrong I am about every single pick I made. I’ll be back with another article post-expansion draft to break down what did happen and where the Kraken stand going in to free agency.