NHL 21 Simulation: Seattle Kraken Expansion Draftees
Jonathan West
|
Seattle Kraken center ice at Climate Pledge Arena.
How does EA Sports see the upcoming Seattle Kraken expansion draft? Our Jonathan West ran a simulation on NHL 21 to find out.
I play the game. I’ve coached the game. I write articles about the game. I play fantasy, talk on the fan pages, and drink at the hockey bars. But one thing about the game of hockey that doesn’t interest me is prognostication. I think the draft process is kind of interesting, but to me, it’s always hard predicting a player or team’s future potential. I usually focus on the here and now.
The only exception is during the annual release of the EA Sports NHL franchise. I’ve played this video game institution ever since NHL 94, and it keeps getting better and better each year. Debuting a month ago, new features for ’21 include more deke skills, rewarding skill mastery with stylish moves, and more realistic goalie movements. Seattle Totems anthem singer and avid gamer Dan White loves “Be a Pro” mode.
“Last year, you just played games and advanced your character. This year has the option to start playing in the CHL or over in Europe! The press asks questions, you meet with the coach and GM, and can get endorsements. I can’t wait for NHL 22 to do my own Kraken expansion draft!”
But since that scenario is many months or a future update away, I simulated the upcoming season in NHL 21 Franchise Mode to see potential Seattle Kraken pickups. The video game season included Pittsburgh and Calgary firing their coaches, McDavid winning the Art Ross Trophy again, Toronto making the Eastern Conference Finals, and a repeat 2017 Cup Final- Washington over Vegas in six games. With the most realistic simulation settings, here’s a full line of players the simulation placed on its trading blocks during 2020-21.