Seattle Kraken: Way too early mock expansion draft version 2.0
Ed Stein
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Seattle Kraken General Manager Ron Francis.
In a little under a year from now, the Seattle Kraken hockey expansion draft takes place. Here is our second way too early mock expansion draft.
Welcome to Pacific Northwest Sports’ second Seattle Kraken “Way Too Early” mock expansion draft. Because the NHL won’t start its next season until approximately New Year’s day, the originally scheduled June 2021 time frame for the expansion draft is highly unlikely.
Until the new season is in full swing and teams make further adjustments to their rosters, drafting a team is exceedingly difficult. That’s why we call it way too early. 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 make their selections in 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 40 games in the prior year or 70 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 contracts are signed, players moved via free agency or trade, and the rumored amnesty buyouts go forward, 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.