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Seattle Expansion Draft – Discover Central Division (Ep. #15)

Seattle Expansion Draft - Discover Central Division
Fantasy Hockey Hacks

Fantasy Hockey Hacks

In the fifteenth episode of the Fantasy Hockey Hacks Podcast; Devon, Bruce, and John continue with the Seattle Expansion Draft, and provide predictions for the Discover Central Division! We’ll take a look at each team’s protected list, and provide our thoughts as to who Seattle will pick. As always, we’ll touch on hockey-related news from the past week; and provide our thoughts and opinions.

Highlights:

  • Nick Bjugstad signs 1-year deal with the Minnesota Wild
  • Matiss Kivlenieks tragically dies on July 4th fireworks incident
  • Edmonton Oilers and Adam Larsson continue to negotiate, talks are positive
  • Nashville Predators are looking to strike a deal with the Seattle Kraken ahead of the expansion draft
  • Tampa Bay Lightning Win Back-To-Back Stanley Cup Championships
  • Seattle Expansion Draft – Discover Central Division

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Hockey News | July 5 – July 12 

  • July 5 | Nick Bjugstad agrees to a 1-year contract with the Minnesota Wild for $900,000. Bjugstad recorded 17 PTS (6 G), +7, 48 hits, and 22 blocked shots in 44 games last season. 
  • July 5 | Columbus Blue Jackets goalie, Matiss Kivlenieks, died on July 4th after being hit by fireworks. The 24-year-old Latvian goalie was reportedly struck in the chest while attempting to get out of the way of a stray firework. 
  • July 5 | According to Jason Gregor, the Edmonton Oilers and Adam Larsson are in the same ballpark regarding term and AAV; talks have been positive. Larsson wants to carefully weigh his options. 

  • July 7 | Nashville Predators are hoping to, “Strike A Deal” with the Kraken ahead of the Seattle Expansion Draft. David Poile stated that if Viktor Arvidsson had not been traded, Seattle would have selected him in the expansion draft. He went on to say that Ron Francis, “Likes certain defenseman on our roster…”. 

  • July 7 | Vladimir Tarasenko officially requested a trade from the St. Louis Blues. 
    • According to sources familiar with the situation, he is upset with the team’s handling of his shoulder surgeries in 2018 and 2019 — his first two of three such surgeries, which were both performed by Blues physicians — and feels there’s no trust left between him and the organization. 
    • Additionally, Tarasenko was upset about being moved to the front of the net on the PP, and there was lingering disappointment about not being named Captain. 
    • Likely destinations? NYI, NYR, CGY, EDM. It’s been reported the the Islanders have reached out to the St. Louis Blues regarding Tarasenko. 

  • July 7 | Fantasy Hockey Hacks hit 100 followers on Instagram, so thank you to everyone that has followed us and/or listens on a weekly basis; we appreciate the support!
  • Stanley Cup Final | Tampa Bay wins back-to-back championships.  
    • Conn Smythe Winner: Andrei Vasilevskiy. 16-3-4, .937 SV%, 1.90 GAA, 20.30 GSAA. Very impressive playoff run by the Russain goaltender. 
    • Pat Maroon wins his third Stanley Cup (three straight seasons). 
    • Alex Killorn broke his fibula, had a rod surgically placed in the broken bone hoping to play. 
    • Nikita Kucherov signed an endorsement deal with Bud Light after his shirtless rant about Montreal.
    • Final Thoughts: 
      • Tampa Bay is going to look much different next year due to expansion and the flat cap. 
      • Top 5 scorers in the playoffs were TB players. 
        • Kucherov – 32 Pts (8 Goals) in 23 GP
        • Point – 23 Pts (14 Goals) in 23 GP
        • Victor Hedman – 18 Pts (2 Goals) in 23 GP
        • Steven Stamkos – 18 Pts (8 Goals) in 23 GP
        • Alex Killorn – 17 Pts (8 Goals) in 19 GP
  • July 9 | Seattle Kraken announce their pre-season schedule, starting with a matchup against the Canucks on September 26th.

  • July 9 | The Toronto Maple Leafs are reportedly interested in acquiring Tyler Bertuzzi from the Detroit Red Wings. 
  • July 9 | There are now rumblings that Taylor Hall may explore free agency. 

  • July 10 | Patrick Kane wins Best NHL Player at the ESPYS? WTF?

  • July 11 | Frank Seravalli is on record saying that it is more than likely that Tony DeAngelo’s contract will be bought out. On the Oilers Nation Radio podcast, Seravalli suggested that DeAngelo should be Holland’s number 1 target. Thoughts?

 

Seattle Expansion Draft | Central Division

Expansion Draft Rules & Eligibility (Source: NHL.com – https://bit.ly/3zTvf6f) 

The Seattle Kraken officially joined the NHL on April 30 when they made their final expansion payment. The 32nd team in the NHL will begin play in the 2021-22 season.

The 2021 NHL Expansion Draft, which is scheduled for July 21, will be under the same rules for the Kraken as the Vegas Golden Knights in 2017. The Kraken will select one player from each team excluding the Golden Knights for a total of 30 (14 forwards, nine defensemen and three goalies) not including additional players who may be acquired as the result of violations of the Expansion Draft rules.

Seattle must choose a minimum of 20 players under contract for the 2021-22 regular season and those with an aggregate Expansion Draft value that is between 60-100 percent of the prior season’s upper limit for the salary cap. The Kraken cannot buy out players chosen in the Expansion Draft earlier than the summer following its first season.

Current NHL teams can protect seven forwards, three defensemen and one goalie, or eight skaters (forwards/defensemen) and one goalie, under the following conditions.

  • All players with no movement clauses at the time of the draft, and who decline to waive those clauses, must be protected and will be counted toward their team’s applicable protection limits.
  • All first- and second-year professionals, and all unsigned draft choices, will be exempt from selection (and will not be counted toward protection limits.
  • In addition, all NHL teams must meet the following minimum requirements regarding players exposed for selection in the draft:
  • One defenseman who is a) under contract in 2021-22 and b) played in at least 40 NHL games the prior season or played in at least 70 NHL games in the prior two seasons.
  • Two forwards who are a) under contract in 2021-22 and b) played at least 40 NHL games the prior season or played in at least 70 NHL games in the prior two seasons.
  • One goalie who is under contract in 2021-22 or will be a restricted free agent at the end of his current contract immediately prior to 2021-22. If a team elects to make a restricted free agent goalie available to meet this requirement, that goalie must have received his qualifying offer prior to the submission of the team’s protected list.
  • Players with potential career-ending injuries who have missed more than the previous 60 consecutive games (or who otherwise have been confirmed to have a career-threatening injury) may not be used to satisfy a team’s player exposure requirements unless approval is received from the NHL. Such players also may be deemed exempt from selection.

IMPORTANT DATES (Source: Pierre Lebrun, The Athletic – https://bit.ly/2U6WkCw )

  • July 13 |  Deadline for clubs to ask a player to waive his no-move clause for the sole purpose of being exposed in the expansion draft. So there’s some uncomfortable conversations coming for a few teams and players pretty soon here.
  • 24 hours after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup final: First buyout period begins. Could be a busy one this year as the flat-cap world continues to impact clubs.
  • July 16 | Last day for teams to place a player on waivers prior to the expansion draft trade/waiver freeze (noon ET).
  • July 16 | Deadline for players to agree to waive their no-move clause for the expansion draft.
  • July 17 at 3 p.m. ET to July 22 at 1 pm ET: Trade freeze amongst the 31 NHL clubs. Seattle is allowed to make trades with any club during this time.
  • July 17 | At 5 p.m. ET, firm deadline for each club to submit its expansion draft protection list to Central Registry and the NHLPA.
  • July 18 | There’s a 10 a.m. ET deadline for Central Registry to approve and send out the protection lists to all NHL teams (including Seattle, of course) and the NHLPA.
  • July 18 | Opening of the RFA/UFA interview period for Seattle as discussed above (again, only players who weren’t protected for the expansion draft).
  • July 21 | There’s a 10 a.m. ET deadline for Seattle to submit its expansion draft selections to Central Registry and the NHLPA. Also, a 10 a.m. ET deadline for the Kraken to submit contracts for any of those pending RFAs/UFAs they’ve been able to sign during the interview period.
    • The NHL announces the expansion draft results at 8 p.m. ET.
  • July 23 | NHL entry draft, Round 1 (held virtually again).
  • July 24 | NHL entry draft, Rounds 2-7.
  • July 26 | Deadline for qualifying offers.
  • July 27 | First buyout period ends at 5 p.m. ET.
  • July 27 | A team’s ability to offer an eight-year max deal to its own pending UFA expires at 11:59 p.m. ET
  • July 28 |  Opening of free agency at noon ET.

Caroline Hurricanes

  • Devon (7-3-1)
    • Forward’s Protected: Sebastian Aho, Jordan Staal (NMC), Teuvo Teravainen, Nino Niederreiter, Vincent Trochek, Andrei Svechnikov, Warren Foegle
    • Defenceman Protected: Jacob Slavin, Brett Pesce, Brady Skjei
    • Goalie Protected: Alex Nedelkjovic
    • Seattle’s Pick:
      • Jake Bean. Drafted 13th overall, Bean was Ron Francis’ pick when he ran the Carolina Hurricanes back in 2016. Young, offensively skilled, capable of running a PP; what’s not to like?
  • Bruce (7-3-1)
    • Forward’s Protected: Sebastian Aho, Jordan Staal (NMC), Teuvo Teravainen, Nino Niederreiter, Vincent Trochek, Andrei Svechnikov, Warren Foegle
    • Defenceman Protected: Jacob Slavin, Brett Pesce, Jake Bean
    • Goalie Protected: Alex Nedelkjovic
    • Seattle’s Pick: Jesper Fast
  • John (7-3-1)
    • Forward’s Protected:  Sebastian Aho, Jordan Staal (NMC), Teuvo Teravainen, Nino Niederreiter, Vincent Trochek, Andrei Svechnikov, Warren Foegle
    • Defenceman Protected: Jacob Slavin, Brett Pesce, Brady Skjei
    • Goalie Protected: Alex Nedelkjovic
    • Seattle’s Pick: Jake Bean

Chicago Blackhawks

  • Devon (7-3-1)
    • Forward’s Protected: Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Alex DeBrincat, Dylan Strome, Adam Gaudette, Brandon Hagel, Henrik Borgstrom
    • Defenceman Protected: Duncan Keith (assuming he’s not traded, Nikita Zadorov, Connor Murphy
    • Goalie Protected: Kevin Lankinen
    • Seattle’s Pick: 
      • Brett Connolly. A big body to play in your middle six; capable of chipping in with some offense. From 2016-2017 to 2019-2020, Connolly had goal totals of 15, 15, 22, 19. Career-high of 46 points in 2018-2019. This would be an easier selection if not for the $3.5M cap hit (UFA 2023).
      • Alternate pick, Malcom Subban. Subban could be a serviceable backup, and comes at a great price – $850,000 (RFA 2022). If it’s not a fit, Seattle could trade him at the deadline, qualify him, or let him walk. .900 SV%, 3.20 GAA, and -3.67 GSAA last season with the Hawks.
  • Bruce (7-3-1)
    • Forward’s Protected: Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Alex DeBrincat, Dylan Strome, Adam Gaudette, Brandon Hagel, Henrik Borgstrom
    • Defenceman Protected: Nikita Zadorov, Connor Murphy, Duncan Keith
    • Goalie Protected: Kevin Lankinen
    • Seattle’s Pick: Calvin De Haan – Veteran D that can play in the top 4 
  • John (7-3-1)
    • Forward’s Protected:Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Alex DeBrincat, Dylan Strome, Adam Gaudette, Brandon Hagel, Henrik Borgstrom 
    • Defenceman Protected: Nikita Zadorov, Connor Murphy, Duncan Keith
    • Goalie Protected: Kevin Lankinen
    • Seattle’s Pick: Connely or Stillman

Columbus Blue Jackets

  • Devon (7-3-1)
    • Forward’s Protected: Cam Atkinson, Gustav Nyqvist, Max Domi, Patrik Laine, Boone Jenner, Oliver Bjorkstrand, Jack Roslovic
    • Defenceman Protected: Zach Werenski, Dean Dukan, Vladislav Garikov
    • Goalie Protected: Joonas Koprisalo
    • Seattle’s Pick: 
      • Eric Robinson. Fast, plays hard, and will add some size to the fourth line (6’ 2”, 200 lbs.). Played all 56 games for a demanding Tortorella. 
  • Bruce (7-3-1)
    • Forward’s Protected: Cam Atkinson, Gustav Nyqvist, Max Domi, Patrik Laine, Boone Jenner, Oliver Bjorkstrand, Jack Roslovic
    • Defenceman Protected: Zach Werenski, Dean Dukan, Vladislav Garikov
    • Goalie Protected: Joonas Koprisalo
    • Seattle’s Pick: 
      • Eric Robinson. Fast, plays hard, and will add some size to the fourth line (6’ 2”, 200 lbs.). Played all 56 games for a demanding Tortorella. 
  • John (7-3-1)
    • Forward’s Protected: Cam Atkinson, Gustav Nyqvist, Max Domi, Patrik Laine, Boone Jenner, Oliver Bjorkstrand, Jack Roslovic
    • Defenceman Protected: Zach Werenski, Seth Jones, Vladislav Garikov
    • Goalie Protected: Jonas Korpisalo
    • Seattle’s Pick: Eric Robinson

Dallas Stars

  • Devon (7-3-1)
    • Forward’s Protected: Tyler Seguin (NMC), Jamie Benn (NMC), Joe Pavelski, Alexander Radulov (NMC), Roope Hintz, Radek Faksa, Dennis Gurianov
    • Defenceman Protected: Miro Heiskenan, John Klingberg, Esa Lindell
    • Goalie Protected: Ben Bishop (NMC)
    • Seattle’s Pick:
      • Jamie Oleksiak. This would be my pick, assuming he isn’t traded before the expansion draft (which is likely). The alternate pick would be Jason Dickinson, although I don’t see much there to get excited about.
  • Bruce (7-3-1)
    • Forward’s Protected: Tyler Seguin (NMC), Jamie Benn (NMC), Joe Pavelski, Alexander Radulov (NMC), Roope Hintz, Radek Faksa, Dennis Gurianov
    • Defenceman Protected: Miro Heiskenan, John Klingberg, Esa Lindell
    • Goalie Protected: Ben Bishop (NMC)
    • Seattle’s Pick: Jason Dickinson – can never have too many centers. Was centering the top line the end of Dallas’ season
  • John (7-3-1)
    • Forward’s Protected:  Tyler Seguin, Jamie Benn, Joe Pavelski, Alexander Radulov, Roope Hintz, Radek Faksa, Dennis Gurianov
    • Defenceman Protected: Miro Heiskenan, John Klingberg, Esa Lindell 
    • Goalie Protected: Ben Bishop
    • Seattle’s Pick: Jamie Oleksiak

Detroit Red Wings

  • Devon (7-3-1)
    • Forward’s Protected: Dylan Larkin, Tyler Bertuzzi, Jakob Vrana, Robby Fabbri, Adam Erne, Michael Rassmussen (6’ 6”, 220 lbs. 9th Overall in 2017)
    • Defenceman Protected: Phillip Hronek, Dennis Cholowski, Gustav Lindstrom
    • Goalie Protected: Thomas Greiss
    • Seattle’s Pick:
      • Vladislav Nemestikov. Experienced two-way forward with a cap-hit of just $2M (UFA 2022). Has 22 and 17 goal seasons on his resume; so there is some potential there. Still just 28 years old.
  • Bruce (7-3-1)
    • Forward’s Protected: Dylan Larkin, Tyler Bertuzzi, Jakob Vrana, Robby Fabbri, Adam Erne, Michael Rassmussen
    • Defenceman Protected: Phillip Hronek, Dennis Cholowski, Danny DeKeyser
    • Goalie Protected: Thomas Greiss
    • Seattle’s Pick: Troy Stecher – add another good veteran defenseman, played very well at the Worlds for Canada.
  • John (7-3-1)
    • Forward’s Protected: Dylan Larkin, Tyler Bertuzzi, Jakob Vrana, Robby Fabbri, Adam Erne, Michael Rassmussen
    • Defenceman Protected: Phillip Hronek, Dennis Cholowski, Troy Stecher
    • Goalie Protected: Thomas Greiss
    • Seattle’s Pick: Vladislav Nemestikov

Florida Panthers

  • Devon (7-3-1)
    • Forward’s Protected: Alexander Barkov, Jonathan Huberdeau (NMC), Sam Bennett, Frank Vatrano, Alex Wennberg, Anthony Duclair, Carter Verhaeghe
    • Defenceman Protected: Aaron Ekblad, Keith Yandle (NMC), Mackenzie Weegar
    • Goalie Protected: Sergei Bobrovsky (NMC)
    • Seattle’s Pick:
      • Patric Horqvist. I really like Hornqvist, but with his age and cap hit; I wouldn’t hesitate to expose him to Seattle. Instead, I believe that Florida should protect and sign Anthony Duclair and Sam Bennet; both showed exceptional chemistry and production with Jonathan Huberdeau last season.
  • Bruce (7-3-1)
    • Forward’s Protected: Alexander Barkov, Jonathan Huberdeau (NMC), Sam Bennett, Frank Vatrano, Alex Wennberg, Anthony Duclair, Carter Verhaeghe
    • Defenceman Protected: Aaron Ekblad, Keith Yandle (NMC), Mackenzie Weegar
    • Goalie Protected: Sergei Bobrovsky (NMC)
    • Seattle’s Pick: Chris Driedger – he will get his chance to be a starting goalie for the Kracken
  • John (7-3-1)
    • Forward’s Protected: Alexander Barkov, Jonathan Huberdeau, Sam Bennett, Frank Vatrano, Alex Wennberg, Anthony Duclair, Carter Verhaeghe
    • Defenceman Protected:Aaron Ekblad, Keith Yandle, Mackenzie Weegar
    • Goalie Protected: Sergei Bobrovsky
    • Seattle’s Pick: Patric Hornqvist

Nashville Predators

  • Devon (4-4-1)
    • Forward’s Protected: Filip Forsberg, Mikael Granlund, Luke Kunin, Calle Jarnkrok, 
    • Defenceman Protected: Roman Josi (NMC), Ryan Ellis, Dante Fabbro, Alexander Carrier
    • Goalie Protected: Juse Saros
    • Seattle’s Pick:
      • Matt Duchene. With Viktor Arvidsson traded to the LA Kings, and Mattias Ekholm likely moved before the expansion draft; my guess is that Nashville incentivizes Seattle with a high draft pick to take Duchene and his contract. A change of scenery could be all Duchene needs to get back to his 30-goal level of a couple years ago.
  • Bruce (7-3-1)
    • Forward’s Protected: Matt Duchene, Ryan Johannson, Fillip Forsberg, Luke Kunin
    • Defenceman Protected: Roman Josi, Ryan Ellis, Mattis Ekholm, Dante Fabbro
    • Goalie Protected: Juse Saros
    • Seattle’s Pick: Calle Jarnkrok – good top nine forward. 
  • John (4-4-1)
    • Forward’s Protected: Filip Forsberg, Luke Kunin, Calle Jarnkrok, Ryan Johansen
    • Defenceman Protected: Roman Josi, Ryan Ellis, Mattias Ekholm, Dante Fabro
    • Goalie Protected: Juse Saros
    • Seattle’s Pick: Matt Duchene

Tampa Bay Lightning

  • Devon (4-4-1)
    • Forward’s Protected: Nikita Kucherov (NMC), Steven Stamkos (NMC), Brayden Point, Anthony Cirelli
    • Defenceman Protected: Victor Hedman (NMC), Mikael Sergachev, Erik Cernak, Cal Foote
    • Goalie Protected: Andrei Vasilevskiy
    • Seattle’s Pick:
      • Alex Killorn. Tampa Bay has some very difficult decisions to make, and Seattle will have an excellent player available to them. Killorn has shown that he is difficult to play against both in the regular season and playoffs. In 2019-2020, Killorn had a career-high 26 Goals (49 Pts) in 68 GP (59 Pts pace over 82 Games). He plays with grit, and at 6’1, 200 lbs, he offers a bit of size too. In these playoffs, Killorn has 17 Pts (8 Goals) in 19 games, playing on the second line with Stamkos and Cirelli. He was also on the first unit PP.
      • Alternate Pick: Ondrej Palat or Tyler Johnson. Tampa is in trouble; and I believe they will work out a deal with Seattle to take Palat or Johnson and not Yanni Gourde. Tough situation, but at least the Bolts can walk away from this draft with Gourde and Foote intact. 
  • Bruce (4-4-1)
    • Forward’s Protected: Nikita Kucherov (NMC), Steven Stamkos (NMC), Brayden Point, Anthony Cirelli
    • Defenceman Protected: Victor Hedman (NMC), Mikael Sergachev, Erik Cernak, Cal Foote
    • Goalie Protected: Andrei Vasilevskiy
    • Seattle’s Pick: Tyler Johnson (Tampa makes a deal for Kraken to take him)
  • John (4-4-1)
    • Forward’s Protected: Nikita Kucherov, Steven Stamkos, Brayden Point, Anthony Cirelli
    • Defenceman Protected: Victor Hedman, Mikael Sergachev, Erik Cernak, Cal Foote
    • Goalie Protected: Andrei Vasilevskiy
    • Seattle’s Pick: Ondrej Palat

 

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