Seattle Kraken: Too early mock expansion draft version 3.0
In less than half-a-year from now, the Seattle Kraken will make their expansion draft selections. Here is our third “too early” mock expansion draft.
Welcome to Pacific Northwest Sports’ third Seattle Kraken “too early” mock expansion draft. We dropped the “way” from “too early” because the 2020-21 NHL season is underway. Now it’s time to take a harder look at players from the 29 teams Seattle has to chose from.
This is still not an easy task. Much has changed from our last mock, two-and-a-half months ago. More will change in the months ahead. Things such as trades, injuries, contract extensions, and player development make drafts like this fluid. However difficult it may be for us, it’s likely tripled for Kraken GM Ron Francis and his staff.
Per the set expansion draft rules, there are many perimeters existing teams must follow when submitting their protected lists.
Rules
Here is a brief recap of the rules in place when the Seattle Kraken selects the Expansion Draft. They are the same rules Las Vegas had in place in 2019. In their inaugural season, the Golden Knights made it all the way to the Stanley Cup finals.
- All teams except Vegas, who are exempt, have two options for protecting players.
- Option 1: Protect seven forwards, three defensemen, and one goalie.
- Option 2: Protect eight skaters, in any combination of forwards or defensemen, and one goalie.
- At least one defenseman, two forwards (who played at least 27 games in the prior year or 54 games in the two previous years), and one goalie under contract (goalies can be restricted free agents).
- First and second-year players, in addition to unsigned draft choices, are exempt. Many young players are ineligible because they have not had enough NHL games in the last two years.
As the season marches on, we will get a better picture of who will be available. Additionally, there is no way to account for trades Francis makes or backroom deals he puts together before and during the draft.
For now, with the help of Capfriendly.com’s Expansion Draft Simulator, this is our preliminary team.