Seattle Kraken: Way too early mock expansion draft version 2.0
Matt Grzelcyk, Boston Bruins.
Defense
The way to build a good hockey team is from the net out. There is a premium in the NHL put on playing solid defense, especially in the playoffs. Overall, this group is steady, but there is some offensive upside.
The defensemen aren’t going to lose games for the team, but they aren’t likely to win many, either. There is good news; none of the group are over 26; they can grow as a unit. Additionally, there is a good mix of left and right-handed d-men.
Matt Grzelcyk – Boston, 26, 3-years, 3.69M
Libor Hajek – NY Rangers, 22, RFA
Scott Harrington – Columbus, 1-year, $1.63M
Julius Honka – Dallas, 24, RFA
Kurtis MacDermid – Los Angeles, 23, 1-year, $875K
Nicolas Meloche – San Jose, 23, RFA
Brett Pesce – Carolina, 25, 3-years, $4.03M
Troy Stecher – Detroit, 26, 1-year, $1.75M
Christian Wolanin – Ottawa, 25, RFA (arbitration-eligible)
Some of these defensemen will be dealt before the season starts. There will be a good market for Harrington, Grzelcyk, and Pesce. Any of them could all bring back a return of solid prospects for long-term development. Then again, on a unit short on experience, they might be more valuable to keep.
Pairings
- Grzelcyk – Pesce
- Harrington – Stetcher
- Hajek – Honka
The seventh defenseman will be MacDermid, while Wolanin and Meloche head to the AHL.
Again, a fair-to-average group of d-men. No one really stands out as an impact player. The Seattle Kraken can make a splash by drafting someone older and more expensive, such as Brent Burns (35, four-years, $8M). But why would Francis want to tie himself down for so long to an aging player? It will be much more beneficial to wait until after the draft to see who is still available in free agency.
Pesce will need to take a more offensive role and be more like the guy who scored 35 points for the Canes in 2018–19. Seattle’s penalty kill will be fine with Grzlcyk, Harrington, Stetcher, and Hajek.
The power play quarterback is Honka. He has excellent puck-handling and skating skills, but his slight frame (5-10, 175-pounds) makes him somewhat of a defensive liability. That’s what hurt him in Dallas and, to some extent, in Finland last season. If Honka can play in a system where he could use his quickness, speed, and intelligence instead of power, he becomes an offensive weapon.