In just a few days teams will have to have their expansion lists submitted for the Kraken to review and then make their selections. A few things have happened in the last couple days that directly effect Seattle so let's fire them off in quick succession.
- Caleb Jones would have been a great selection by the Seattle Kraken from the Oilers but now that team has baffling acquired Keith and will have to protect him now instead. You gotta feel for that poor poor Oilers blogger over yonder.
- On the other side, the Wild made their own shocking move, buying out both Suter and Parise. Perhaps either option could be a cheap one year veteran for the Kraken to pursue in free agency. This also means that the Wild will be able to protect Matt Dumba, removing him as a likely selection for the Kraken.
- For some time I have said it would make sense for the Preds to not protect Johansen or Duchene. Recent reports suggest that at the very least Duchene will be left unprotected.
- The Chris Dreiger camp is apparently looking for 3.5 million a year on the open market and Seattle have been tied to the player. Dreiger is a young goalie who could be a legit starter in this league and would certainly be worth pursuing in the early free agent gap that Seattle is allowed.
- Another Edmonton note is that the team is unsure if they will be able to extend pending UFA Adam Larsson. Seattle could outbid any team for his services and considering how weak the other options to select from Edmonton are, could attempt to go for the shutdown defenseman in the early UFA period.
- Erik Johnson in Colorado has waived his NMC which means the Avs will be able to protect Girard, Toews and Makar. Ryan Graves is still an excellent option for the Kraken.
- On the Island, New York is apparently trying to trade defenseman Nick Leddy. I wonder if Seattle would have any interest in the player since he only has a year remaining on his 5.5 million dollar cap hit.
That's all for now but I should have daily updates between now and the Expansion Draft on July 21st!