Kraken Draft Thoughts
Building a team is never easy. We break down Seattle's Expansion and Entry Draft Selections
The NHL’s newest organization took its first steps in the 2021 Expansion and Entry Drafts. The Seattle Kraken made some key decisions this past week, including owning the #2 selection in the Entry Draft. The Kraken seemed to have a cautious approach and are entering free agency with the ability to make a big splash in free agency, or sit back and slowly build through the draft.
The Good
As was wildly reported on before the expansion draft, their were some big names available for the Kraken but most were not selected, suprising some league experts. Our top 5 selections included :
Mark Giordano - Defenseman - Calgary Flames
Jordan Eberle - Forward - New York Islanders
Yanni Gourde - Forward - Tampa Bay Lightening
Vince Dunn - Defenseman - St. Louis Blues
Calle Jarnkrok - Forward - Nashville Predators
The selection of Mark Giordano was arguably one of the smarter decisions made by Seattle. The former Flames captain brings a steady approach the Kraken blueline, as well as the much needed experiences to mentor a relatively young core of defense. The Kraken also added Adam Larson and Jamie Oleksiak via RFA signings, both whom will be big parts defensively, as well as bringing a calm leadership approach to the locker room. But the Kraken possibly have found their first captain in Giordano,
Jordon Eberle and Yanni Gourde were both arguably the best 2 additions to the forward group, both bringing experience and production for regular and post season. Eberle, now 31, has always produced well with his time with the Oilers and Islanders, finishing with 33 points in the 55 game short season in 2020-2021, including 11 points in last years playoffs. Gourde, 29, has proven to produce throughout his career, while playing within an extremely deep Lightening lineup.
Gourde brings energy and pursuit on pucks with some of the best in the league and can play in a variety of roles throughout the lineup. He brings one of the larger contracts to the lineup, with a $5.17M cap hip through the 2024-2025 season, and will unfortunately not be ready until November following shoulder surgery in mid July.
The Youth
Along with the Beniers, Seattle looked for young, promising talent in their expansion draft. Cale Fleury from Montreal, Mason Appleton from Winnipeg, and Haydn Fleury were all selections that caught our eye as possible gems. Both Fleury defenseman were highly touted defenseman coming out of juniors, and Appleton may be the perfect player to benefit from a more constant, offensive role.
After selecting Beniers at 2nd overall, the Kraken selected Ryker Evans at 35th overall. The smart passing defenseman from Regina in the WHL had 3 goals and 28 points in 24 games last season, and showed calm demeanor while facilitating breakouts, and some strong offensive tendencies.
2021 Entry Draft Selections
Round 1 Pick 2 - Matt Beniers (Forward, Michigan)
Round 2 Pick 35 - Ryker Evans (Defense, WHL)
Round 3 Pick 67 - Ryan Winteron (Forward, OHL)
Round 4 Pick 99 - Ville Ottavainen (Defense, JYP)
Round 5 Pick 131 - Jacob Melanson (Forward, QMJHL)
Round 6 Pick 162 - Semyon Vyazovoy (Goaltender, MHL)
Round 7 Pick 195 - Justin Janicke (Forward, USNTDP)
The Non Selected
Seattle finished the draft with plenty of cap room with $30.7M of freedom, according to CapFriendly.com, 4th lowest in the NHL behind Buffalo, Detroit and New Jersey, and left some big names on the board. Most surprising was the lack of skill at the forward position, with passes on big name forwards like Vladimir Tarasenko, Jakub Voracek, Max Domi, Ryan Getzlaf , even potential risks like Jonathan Drouin and Ryan Johansen. General Manager Ron Francis appeared to take a cautious approach from a cap perspective, looking to build slowly through the draft as the 2022 draft looks to have multiple high-end talented players.
Understandably, the decisions were difficult for some teams, like Tampa with available players such as Tyler Johnson, Mathieu Joseph, Ondrej Palat and Alex Killorn. Selecting Gourde seems like the most logical decision, when taking into effect age, upside and salary. But Twarynski over Voracek or even van Riemsdyk ? The variables are obvious for both players with age and salary space, but both add important scoring elements to any lineup. Another surprise was Max Domi. A skilled player who has bounced around after being selected by Arizona in 2013, Domi has been a producer at the NHL level, with career highs in 2018-2019 with 72 points while in Montreal. Domi adds an identify, a feistiness to the line up, a player you want on your side.
Not selecting Subban was not that surprisingly, however some would argue a fan favorite to an expansion team would not be the worst idea, as Subban brings an charismatic energy to the locker room as well as in the media, Most importantly, Subban has proven to be a great connection from team to community in both Montreal, Nashville and New Jersey.
The biggest headline was at the goaltender position. Would they select Carey Price ? With a possible knee injury in question, selecting Price would be a big time risk for player longevity, but the argument of his salary seems to be irrelevent, as he proved all playoffs long that a goaltender of his caliber is well worth the price tag. For a team who wouldnt mind to be at the bottom of the standings for next year’s draft, the possible delayed start to Price’s 2021-2022 season doesnt seem as big of an issue either.
Some would argue the western Canadian native wouldn’t mind being closer to home, and out of the heavily scrutinized market of Montreal. Would you pass on a top 5 goaltender in the league ?
Final Thoughts
Seattle is not building the same team as Vegas did a couple years ago, and will be taking their time developing their roster through the draft. Their defense core is going to be their strong suit, with veteran defenders mixed with a couple promising, young defenders. Goaltending and offensive production will be interesting to watch. The current lineup does not have much high end skill, but will battle their way through games. Depending on Beniers timeline, they will need to add some type of support in the center position to compete with some of the top teams out West.
Chris Driedger looks to be the opening day starter in net for the Kraken, after a successful season in Florida. Joey Daccord from Ottawa and Vitek Vanecek from Washington will battle out for the back up position. Vanecek has the slight edge in experience, playing 37 games in 2020-2021 for the Capitals.