Here are the 15 biggest names to pick from in Seattle Kraken expansion draft

Jul 18 2021, 5:37 pm

The Seattle Kraken’s expansion draft is just around the corner.

On Sunday morning, news came out about the NHL’s protection lists, with no shortage of star power available to the NHL’s newest team. (The full lists are available at NHL.com.)

Unprotected unrestricted free agents, like Washington’s Alex Ovechkin, aren’t included in the list below, since the chances of them being nabbed by Seattle are pretty low as it doesn’t guarantee a contract with the team would be signed.

In no particular order, here are 15 of the biggest names left exposed for Seattle to potentially pick up:

1. Jeff Skinner, Buffalo

Age:  29
2021 stats: 53 GP, 7 G, 7 A, 14 PTS
Cap hit: $9M (UFA 2027)

Jeff Skinner hasn’t exactly panned out in Buffalo after signing a long-term deal. The one-time 40-goal scorer has seen his ice time drop rapidly over the last two seasons, even being a healthy scratch on several occasions throughout this year. It’s tough to see a Seattle expansion team with Skinner on it.

2. P.K. Subban, New Jersey Devils

Age:  32
2021 stats: 44 GP, 5 G, 14 A, 19 PTS
Cap hit: $9M

If Seattle is looking for a fun face to market the team to new fans, you couldn’t get a better option than P.K. Subban. The never boring defenceman might have seen his best on-ice days behind him, but it seems like a slam dunk to bring one of the league’s biggest personalities to the Pacific Northwest.

3. Shea Weber, Montreal Canadiens

Age: 35
2021 stats: 48 GP, 6 G, 13 A, 19 PTS
Cap hit: $7.8M (UFA 2026)

Interestingly, Shea Weber was traded for P.K. Subban way back in 2016. Funny how things work out, but Weber’s exposure is reportedly tied to a lingering lower-body injury. It’s unlikely he actually goes to Seattle in the expansion draft, unless the Kraken know something we don’t.

4. Carey Price, Montreal Canadiens

Age: 33
2021 stats:  25 GP, 12-7-6, 2.64 GAA, .901 SV %,
Cap hit: $10.5M (UFA 2026)

Though he had quite a remarkable playoff run this year with Montreal, Carey Price is being exposed in the hopes that Montreal will be able to keep Jake Allen around. It’s unlikely Seattle bites on Price’s high salary, meaning the Canadiens can likely keep their goalie tandem together.

5. Jakub Voracek, Philadelphia Flyers

Age: 31
2021 stats: 53 GP, 9 G, 34 A, 43 PTS
Cap hit: $8.25M (UFA 2024)

Sportsnet’s Ellliotte Freidman speculated last week that Jakub Voracek is likely on the outs from Philly one way or another. If not taken by Seattle, it appears the Flyers will soon be actively shopping the veteran forward.

6. James van Riemsdyk, Philadelphia Flyers

Age: 32
2021 stats: 56 GP, 17 G, 26 A, 43 PTS
Cap hit: $7M (UFA 2023)

James Van Riemsdyk has been one of the NHL’s premier goal scorers over the last decade, but isn’t really worth the assets for Philadelphia to protect him. If Seattle does pick JVR, expect him to slot in on the team’s top line.

7. Vladimir Tarasenko, St. Louis Blues

Age: 29
2021 stats: 24 GP, 4 G, 10 A, 14 PTS
Cap hit: (UFA 2023)

There will be no fairy-tale ending for Vladimir Tarasenko in St. Louis, despite winning the Stanley Cup with the team back in 2019. If not Seattle, it seems like Tarasenko is destined to be on the move after multiple reports have come out about a rift with management.

8. Gabriel Landeskog, Colorado Avalanche

Age: 28
2021 stats: 54 GP, 20 G, 32 A, 52 PTS
Cap hit: (UFA)

Gabe Landeskog is the lone UFA on this list, and with good reason. The Avalanche leaving their captain exposed and not re-signing him before the expansion draft is quite the surprising move. If Seattle is looking to pick up a UFA’s rights, Landeskog is the most highly-coveted one available with multiple teams reportedly in on the Swedish forward.

9. Ryan Johansen, Nashville Predators

Age: 28
2021 stats: 48 GP, 7 G, 15 A, 22 PTS
Cap hit: $8M (UFA 2025)

Like others on the list, based on talent alone, Ryan Johansen might be one of his team’s top eight players. But due to his high salary, Nashville is opting to leave his future up in the air.

10. Matt Duchene, Nashville Predators

Age: 30
2021 stats:  34 GP, 6 G, 7 A, 13 PTS|
Cap hit: $8M (UFA 2026)

On the flip side of the Johansen exposure, Matt Duchene is also unprotected. The move forces Nashville to either pick between the two high-priced centres, or leave both with the Predators.

11. Ben Bishop, Dallas Stars

Age: 34
2021 stats: did not play (knee injury)
Cap hit: $4.9M (UFA 2023)

One of the biggest (literally) goalies available on the expansion draft list, Ben Bishop could have a career resurgence once again in Seattle. Think Marc-Andre Fleury in Vegas as a potential comparison.

12. Jordan Eberle, New York Islanders

Age: 31
2021 stats: 55 GP, 16 G, 17 A, 33 PTS
Cap hit: $5.5M (UFA 2024)

Even though he’s had a respectable NHL career, Jordan Eberle is still probably best known for his heroics as part of Canada’s world junior team. After playing in Edmonton and on Long Island, Eberle could be a good vet pickup for the upstart Kraken as he’s signed for the next three years.

13. Nino Niederreiter, Carolina Hurricanes

Age: 28
2021 stats:  56 GP, 20 G, 14 A, 34 PTS
Cap hit: $5.25M (UFA 2022)

After a tough 2019-20 season, it looked like Nino Nieddereiter’s best days might be behind him. But picking up the fourth 20-goal season of his career this past year, the nifty winger has plenty to offer for the Kraken if taken.

14. Mark Giordano, Calgary Flames

Age: 37
2021 stats:  56 GP, 9 G, 17 A, 26 PTS
Cap hit: $6.75M (UFA 2022)

A former Norris trophy winner just two years ago, Mark Giordano’s exposure could offer the Kraken their first captain if they choose to claim him. It’s a tough call to make for Seattle in the expansion draft, as elder defencemen like Giordano may suddenly see their games deteriorate quite quickly.

15. Max Domi, Columbus Blue Jackets

Age: 26
2021 stats:  54 GP, 9 G, 15 A, 24 PTS
Cap hit: $5.3M (UFA 2022)

Max Domi’s career arc continues to be wildly interesting. After being traded from Arizona to Montreal and then again to Columbus within the span of just two seasons, Domi could find himself suddenly in the Kraken’s top six if claimed.

Adam LaskarisAdam Laskaris

+ Offside
+ Hockey
+ Canucks
+ Maple Leafs
+ Flames
+ Canadiens
+ Oilers
+ Kraken
ADVERTISEMENT