Seattle Kraken mock expansion draft version 6.0 – pre-protected lists
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 for the Seattle Kraken in their own zone without sacrificing offense.
Tyson Barrie – Edmonton, 29, UFA (proposed 5-years, $32.5M, $6.5M AAV)
Josh Brown – Ottawa, 27, 1-year, $1.20M
Erik Cernak – Tampa Bay, 23, 2-years, $2.95M
Vince Dunn – St. Louis, 24, RFA
Haydn Fleury – Anaheim, 24, 1-year, $1.30M
Jake Gardiner – Carolina, 31, 2-years, $4.05M
Radko Gudas – Florida, 31, 2-years, $2.50M
Oliver Kylington – Calgary, 24, RFA
Jeremy Lauzon – Boston, 1-year, $850K
Colin Miller – Buffalo, 28, 1-year, $3.88M
Jonas Siegenthaler – New Jersey, 24, 2-years, $1.13M
Pairings
- Cernak – Barrie
- Gudas – Dunn
- Siegenthaler – Lauzon
After looking at the parings, the first question is going to be, “what about those other good defensemen like Gardiner and Miller.” I expect the pair along with either Brown or Fleury (or maybe both) to be traded. However, he could wait until the trade deadline on one of them to catch a desperate team in need of help.
Cernak and Barrie are an excellent first pairing. Barrie is the puck rusher, while Cernak has the role of“stay-at-home guy.” They should work well together. It’s the same for Dunn and Gudas. Both Barrie and Dunn are guys who can quarterback the power play.
What stands out is the group’s collective ages. Only Gudas is over 30-years-old. The resident tough guy has other intangibles than youth.
Vegas surprised the rest of the league with the quality of their forwards during their first season. The Knights scored goals in bunches and put opponents on their heels quickly. There will be more than enough talent available to Seattle for the Kraken to be equally explosive.