NHL 21 Simulation: Seattle Kraken Expansion Draftees
Jonathan West
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Josh Bailey, New York Islanders (Photo by Michael Miller, via Wikimedia).
Forwards
Josh Bailey- Right Wing, New York Islanders – 6-1, 190-pounds, 31 years-old, 12 NHL seasons
At the March trade deadline on NHL 21, many high-caliber Long Island players were being shopped around, including Bailey, Jordan Eberle, Brock Nelson, and Anders Lee. Only 29-year-old centerman Casey Cizikas remained on the block before a would-be expansion draft.
Here’s Eric Duhatschek’s breakdown of the pick, as it was part of his July 2 mock draft for The Athletic.”…the decision should come down to either (Kieffer) Bellows or Bailey, who is signed until 2024 at $5M per season but is a reliable NHL scorer, which is where Seattle will be awfully thin.”
Ryan Strome, Center, New York Rangers – 6-1, 200-pounds, 27 years-old, 8 NHL seasons
Alternate captain and longtime Blueshirt Chris Kreider was on the trading block at the end of the season, but NHL 21 doesn’t include “no move/trade clauses.” Even after a career-high 59-point season, Strome wasn’t safe in the Big Apple, according to Hockeybuzz’s Sean Maloughney last week.
“I have a hard time disagreeing unless Brett Howden takes a massive leap forward. Some will be quick to point out Strome only started producing higher once paired with Panarin…Strome would certainly continue to get top-six minutes in Seattle, and maybe a smart free agent signing or two can ensure he has successful wingers to play with and keep up this pace.”
Los Angeles Kings trade block (Photo courtesy of EA Sports).
Dustin Brown, LW/ RW, Los Angeles Kings – 6-0, 216-pounds, 36 years-old, 16 NHL seasons
Even though he does carry a hefty contract, Dustin Brown is a solid two-way player. The 2013-14 Mark Messier Award winner would also bring the Kraken instant leadership on the ice, not to mention a pair of Stanley Cup Championships.
Don’t be thrown off. For this NHL 21 simulation, free agent Mikael Granlund and Michael Grabner both signed with Los Angeles. Also part of the Kings season-long trade block above was grizzled veteran Jeff Carter.