Seattle Kraken mock expansion draft version 5.0
Defense
The way to build a good hockey team is from the net out. Playing solid defense is crucial at the NHL level, especially in the playoffs. This group of blueliners should keep things steady in their own zone without sacrificing offense.
Tyson Barrie – Edmonton, 29, UFA (proposed 5-years, $30M, $6M AAV)
Nathan Beaulieu – Winnipeg, 28, 1-year, $1.75M
Josh Brown – Ottawa, 27, $1.2M
Erik Cernak – Tampa Bay, 23, 2-years, $2.95M
Dante Fabbro – Nashville, 22, RFA
Haydn Fleury – Anaheim, 24, 1-year, $1.30M
Jeremy Lauzon – Boston, 1-year, $850K
Scott Mayfield – New York Islanders, 28, 2-years, $1.45M
Philippe Myers – Philadelphia, 2-years, $2.55M
Marco Scandella – St. Louis, 31, 3-years, $3.28M
The Kraken will trade some of these defensemen before the season starts. As always, there is a strong market for top-four quality D-men. Some of the selections could bring back a return of solid prospects for long-term development. Then again, Ron Francis could wait until the trade deadline and try to get more from a desperate team.
Pairings
- Scandella – Barrie
- Lauzon – Cernak/Myers
- Beaulieu/Mayfield/Fluery – Fabbro
Scandella and Barrie are the top pair. While Barrie causes havoc in the offensive end, Scandella is the “stay-at-home guy.” They should work well together.
Just like the backup goalie situation, one of Cernak or Myers makes the team, playing second-pair minutes. The other gets flipped. For what it’s worth, I’d put my money on Cernak and his fists of fury.
I really like two of the younger guys, Lauzon and Fabbro. Both have the potential to play big minutes. In Lauzon’s case, he has the skills to become a top-pairing defenseman.
Between Beaulieu, Mayfield, and Fleury, one will be part of the regular lineup, one is the seventh defenseman, and the other is out of luck. Josh Brown needs to show more than he has so far in his NHL career to avoid becoming a career minor leaguer.