Seattle Kraken: 3 players from each Eastern Conference play-in series teams to watch
Seattle Kraken
Now that the team has an official name, the Seattle Kraken organization can turn its attention to thoroughly scouting players in preparation for the 2021 expansion draft.
The Seattle Kraken has a name, next they need to field a team to take the ice. Much of that inaugural squad will come from next year’s expansion draft. So it’s not a stretch to say, Kraken General Manager Ron Francis and his staff have their hands full.
Until the 2019-20 season finally ends and the NHL goes through its free agency and arbitration periods, sometime this fall, mock drafting a team is exceedingly tricky. There are many potential impact unrestricted and restricted free agents teams must lock up before the expansion draft picture comes more into focus. Fortunately, scouting potential players can be both fun and interesting.
As part of their “return to action” plan, the league invited 24 teams to two different sites, Toronto and Edmonton, Canada. Teams who are between fifth and 12th in the respective conference standings will play in a best of three “play-in” series beginning on August 1. Winners of those series will advance to the Stanley Cup playoffs, where the top eight teams will be waiting for them.
Playoff hockey brings out the best in players. Exhibition games have been going on for the past week, so most everyone should be in decent shape. By the time the puck drops for real, next Saturday, fans will see the NHLers at close to their best.
Here is a look at three players from each team Eastern Conference play-in team who could be available to the Seattle Kraken in the expansion draft. One more note, both the Toronto Maple Leafs and the New York Islanders potentially have the deepest pools to choose from when the time comes to draft players.