Seattle Kraken: 3 players from each Western Conference play-in series teams to watch
Seattle Kraken
Now that the team has an official name, The Seattle Kraken turns their full attention to scouting players in for the 2021 expansion draft. Here are 3 players to watch from each west play-in team.
The Seattle Kraken has a name, next they need a team to defend the ice at Climate Pledge Arena. Much of that first squad will come from next year’s expansion draft. Kraken General Manager Ron Francis and his staff have their hands full as they scout players from around the world.
Until this season finally ends and the National Hockey League goes through its free agency and arbitration periods, sometime this fall, mock drafting a team is exceedingly tricky. There are lots of potential difference-makers whose contracts are up. Teams must lock up unrestricted and restricted free agents before the expansion draft picture becomes clearer. Fortunately, for fans scouting potential players can be both fun and interesting.
As part of their “return to action” plan, the NHL invited 24 teams to two different sites, Toronto and Edmonton, Canada. Beginning August 1, teams ranked between 5th and 12th in the respective conference standings when play stopped due to COVID-19 will play in a best of three “play-in.” Winners of those series will advance to the actual 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 NHL players at a near-peak level.
Here is a look at three players from each team Western Conference play-in team who could be available for the Seattle Kraken to select in the expansion draft. One more note, Toronto and the New York Islanders had the deepest potential player pools in the east. In the Western Conference, the team to keep an eye in terms of talent depth are the Calgary Flames.