If you're going to sign a UFA center I feel like Damault would be a better option. Maybe even RNH if he and Edmonton cannot sort anything out.

No way the Hawks expose Murphy.

is it just me, but I thought that Simek actually had pretty good value? Higher than a 4th for sure.
@papishark

No chance Seattle takes Holtby.

Passes on Berdin for Appleton.
Passes on Allen for what turns out to be a 4th rd pick.
Takes Frk, Robinson, Subban

After what JVR has done I dought Philadelphia Doesn’t protect him, if they can’t protect him Philadelphia will likely make a trade with Seattle so they don’t claim him

I agree there are better options, but I don't think it's realistic for an expansion team to be attracting top free agents. Plus, IMO those guys will probably end up resigning anyways.

Whoops, just realized the quick protect had them protecting Zadorov. Although they gave up a lot to get him I don't think they value him over Murphy.

Wow, I heard he'd had a hot start but didn't realize it was that good! They'll probably keep him and expose Patrick then. Sad that concussions derailed his (Patrick) career so much.

Quite possibly. The trade comparison I went off here though was David Schlemko, who also was expected to return more but only got a 5th. I think most expansion teams have a tougher time because teams know they need to move some defenseman, and they lose leverage. So most of the defensive trades here I subtracted a bit of value from what I think they would normally return.

Relax, he's played 8 games lol. Still got most of the season to go. I think he'll turn it around at some point and finish at least around .900. It is a definite possibility that Seattle takes Jake Allen though. And the Subban thing.... Idk it probably won't happen, but he would be so marketable for the team. He's such a big name that he's likely to draw some fans to games that wouldn't otherwise be interested. Plus with his contract expiring they could either retain and move him at the deadline or resign him for much cheaper. If he plays poorly they can let him walk. Maybe NJ gives them a small asset to take him on as well. Probably next time I will not include him though.

Not sure what your beefs are with Frk and Robinson, who would you take over them? Constructive criticism would be appreciated

LAK whichever dman the don't protect between Clague, Roy and Walker.
NJ, instead of Subban, a young forward. Bastian, Kuokanen, Merkley, McLeod
CBJ Gabriel Carlsson

Allen. Khudobin Berdin are easy picks at goalie.

Start with good goaltenders.

Very few, no, players one year to ufa. Make teams really pay, in prospects not picks, to take cap dumps.

Keep the expansion draft cap as close to minimum as possible.

Try and sign a couple really good ufas.

This part makes sense hypothetically, but the volatile nature of Goalies makes this impractical. Besides, even if Goalie performance didn't vary so much from year to year, how does a great goalie help you if his defense is terrible. I would actually argue the opposite. If you have a great team of skaters, then you set any goalie up for success.

Also, as a Jets fan, I don't share your fascination with Berdin. He's definitely a solid Goalie prospect, but I think it's far from a guarantee that he becomes a legit NHL starter, and as I said goalies are tough to judge anyways. Appleton is a solid bottom six player who's stock has been rising. He could be a solid cheap 3rd liner for the Kraken. If they don't like him one of Stanley or Demelo will be available.

I like the idea of making teams pay to take cap dumps. I would actually prefer picks to prospects generally, but either one works for me.
I think signing "really good" UFAs will be difficult, especially if Seattle is a cap floor team with a bunch of bad contracts, meaning their roster will initially be very poor. Top UFAs generally want to go to teams who are ready to compete soon or right away. Seattle would probably have to overpay heavily to get these guys, which would make it counterproductive to sign them.