I did a mock draft for the Seattle Kraken. For fun, but also to (hopefully) discuss the exciting upcoming expansion draft. I used the CapFriendly Quick Protect feature, with a few small changes.
I’ll go through each team and my thoughts about it. And then I look forward to seeing if you agree with me about your team, or if you think I am completely wrong. (Just be nice, I'm probably wrong about many teams, haha)
Let’s start!
Anaheim Ducks
I would not be surprised if the Ducks want to get rid of Adam Henrique, even if he has played better in recent games. Anyway, I think he’s a good choice for the Seattle Kraken as a top 6 center. If the Ducks want to get rid of him maybe the Kraken could get a decent prospect like Alex Andersson as well.
Arizona Coyotes
I was thinking about Adin Hill, but decided to go with Tyler Pitlick. I don’t think he should be playing as much as this season in the Coyotes (TOI 16:47), but would be a useful player for the Kraken.
Boston Bruins
Former first rounder Jakub Zboril is the choice here. Starting to get going in the NHL playing over 18 minutes per game on average. Is he even going to be available for the Kraken? Otherwise I believe Lauzon would be a good choice.
Buffalo Sabres
I believe Buffalo would like to deal a couple of players, but nothing interesting. William Borgen is the choice.
Calgary Flames
Sam Bennett is my choice with the hope that a change of environment is what he needs. Will he be traded before the expansion draft?
Carolina Hurricanes
Okay, this is a long shot. If they resign Hamilton, a player like Jake Bean would potentially be left unprotected. How high do the Hurricanes value Bean? Is it worth paying both/one of Hayden Fleury and Warren Foegele to make the Kraken pick Jake Gardiner instead? Probably not, but it would be gold for the Seattle Kraken. Anyway, the pick in this expansion draft is Jake Gardiner and Warren Foegele.
Chicago Blackhawks
Not much to say here. I chose Lucas Wallmark. Are there any better players available?
Colorado Avalanche
Colorado has to leave really good players unprotected. Devon Toews could be one of them and he is my pick from the Avs.
Columbus Blue Jackets
Kevin Stenlund is a player with decent potential and he’s my pick.
Dallas Stars
This was an easy choice as I’m a big fan of Anton Khudobin. Kraken needs a good goalie, and Khudobin will be one of two good choices in the net.
Detroit Red Wings
Not too excited about the available players in the Detroit Red Wings. I’ll go with Adam Erne.
Edmonton Oilers
Caleb Jones is a good young defender to have and he’ll be the choice. The Oilers would probably be interested in dealing James Neal, but I’m not sure they would offer enough to make it worth it for the Kraken.
Florida Panthers
After putting Brett Connolly on waivers, it does not feel impossible that they want to get rid of him during the expansion draft. Could a player like Aleksi Heponiemi be part of a deal? Connolly and Heponiemi go to the Seattle Kraken in my mock draft.
Los Angeles Kings
Honestly, I haven’t seen the Kings playing much in a while. Austin Wagner is my pick here, is it an okay choice?
Minnesota Wild
I don’t think this will happen, but I pick Matt Dumba. If they choose to go 8-1 and protect Dumba, that would leave other valuable players unprotected. So my guess is that Dumba will get traded from the Minnesota Wild prior to the expansion draft.
Montreal Canadiens
Jake Allen. The Kraken need two good goalies that could play a decent amount of games. Allen is one of them together with Khudobin.
Nashville Predators
Not the best season so far by Luke Kunin, but he’s the pick in this mock draft.
New Jersey Devils
Take on P.K Subban’s contract and get paid for doing it could be an alternative. But I would just go with a forward prospect. Yegor Sharangovic is the pick in this mock draft, but it could definitely be another prospect instead.
New York Islanders
Maybe a pick many of you wouldn’t do as my choice is Matt Martin. I believe he bring something to the team that no one else really has.
New York Rangers
If Anthony DeAngelo isn’t traded before the expansion draft, would you like seeing him as a Kraken? It’s a No in this mock draft and the pick will be Colin Blackwell.
Ottawa Senators
Nick Paul could be an option. But I chose Filip Gustavsson as the third goalie.
Philadelphia Flyers
Prior to this season I believe JVR would definitely be available for the Seattle Kraken to pick. Will he still be? He’s my pick here.
Pittsburgh Penguins
My pick is Teddy Blueger, but I was also thinking about Jared McCann. Who would be your choice?
San José Sharks
The San José Sharks would probably be interested in dealing a player like Martin Jones. I don’t think the Seattle Kraken would consider that for cheap. Rudolf Balcers is the pick in this mock draft.
St. Louis Blues
Another long shot. The St. Louis Blues will potentially leave Vince Dunn unprotected. I guess they really want to keep him. In order to keep him they have to give up something. In this mock draft that something is Zachary Sanford and Samuel Blais. What are your thoughts about that?
Tampa Bay Lightning
The Tampa Bay Lightning wants to get rid of Tyler Johnson’s contract. In this scenario the Seattle Kraken would pick Tyler Johnson and get both Mathieu Joseph and Cal Foote for doing that. Too much? Not enough?
Toronto Maple Leafs
I like Justin Holl. He plays big minutes for the Maple Leafs this season. He could do the same for the Kraken. He’s the pick.
Vancouver Canucks
I don’t know what to get from the Canucks. They would definitely like to send Loui Eriksson to the Kraken, but what would it take? I decided to go with just a prospect here. Kole Lind happened to be the choice.
Washington Capitals
Nick Jensen is my choice. I think he would be a great asset for the Kraken team.
Winnipeg Jets
Logan Stanley is the pick here. Bust or no bust, time will tell. Would be interested to get a deal including Arvid Holm. What would it take to get him?
Kudos to you if you’re still reading. Hope you enjoyed it and are as excited for the expansion draft as I am.
Makes sense if it is possible. Do you think they will go 8-1 instead of 7-3-1? Who would you protect?
I made one of these a bit ago and Avs fans are calling a 8-1 protecting Landeskog, MacKinnon, Rantanen, Kadri, Makar, Toews, and Girard or Graves. I like to think Kraken select Burakovsky or Graves/Girard.
Also, I enjoyed reading this, nice explanations. I wouldn't be surprised if the Habs sent a 3rd (maybe even a 2nd) to the Kraken to keep Allen. They really value him and plan on relying on him until Primeau is NHL ready.
Seattle could very well take Dermott over Holl and Kerfoot, but given free agency depth at centre, I think the Leafs would hope they take Kerfoot.Foote is also a first year player, so he’s exempt from the draft.
I made one of these a bit ago and Avs fans are calling a 8-1 protecting Landeskog, MacKinnon, Rantanen, Kadri, Makar, Toews, and Girard or Graves. I like to think Kraken select Burakovsky or Graves/Girard.
Also, I enjoyed reading this, nice explanations. I wouldn't be surprised if the Habs sent a 3rd (maybe even a 2nd) to the Kraken to keep Allen. They really value him and plan on relying on him until Primeau is NHL ready.
If Burakovsky would be available I would definitely pick him. Harder to find good offense than defense.
Okay, I would take that deal as a Kraken I believe. Didn't know the Habs valued him that high.
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