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Kraken Expansion Draft - New Jersey Devils

November 10, 2020, 4:22 PM ET [22 Comments]
Sean Maloughney
Seattle Kraken Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Happy Tuesday all. Let's get right into today with the New Jersey Devils and the list provided by reader Bragg18.

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NEW JERSEY DEVILS PROTECTION LIST

FORWARDS

Nico Hischier - C
Kyle Palmieri - RW
Andreas Johnsson - LW
Miles Wood - LW
Pavel Zacha - C
Michael Mcleod - C
Jesper Bratt - LW

DEFENSE

Damon Severson - RD
Will Butcher - LD
Colton White - LD

GOALIE

Mackenzie Blackwood

With all the meat and potatoes protected one way or another New Jersey is not offering up many exciting options to choose from. If I am playing the Devils GM I’m Exposing players that most likely will not be brought back after their contract is up. The most enticing thing to go after in this situation in my opinion is for the Kraken to take P.K Subban. (It is possible they don’t expose P.K Subban but with needing to pay and build around the devils core around the time the expansion takes place I think it’s very likely unless they plan on trading him away or this year he has a killer season)

P.K Subban would be on his final year of his 9 million dollar contract (that does not have a NMC) which if the Kraken need help getting to the floor is a plus, and it would only be for one year unless we resigned him. He is not the player he once was, but is still a quality right handed defenseman that I think would be an almost instant fan favorite if he came to Seattle while still adding depth and skill on our blue line. And if we need another reason flipping him at the trade deadline by retaining salary for a year would be good way to pick up an extra pick.

IF they do protect P.K. Subban then I think part of the way they set up Cory Crawford’s contract in year 2 is why they set it up that way and he would most likely be the best player to take.

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I appreciate the list! As always, let's now take a look at the players exposed.

Nick Merkley - 23 year old acquired as part of the Hall trade who hasn't had a chance to really break out yet. Had a goal and an assist in 4 games with the Devils.


P.K. Subban - A veteran D-man who at 31 years old still has plenty of hockey left in him. May not be worth his current cap hit but a team with plenty of space could easily fit him in.

Corey Crawford - Veteran goaltender who has still posted solid 5 on 5 numbers on less than defensively adept teams.

SEATTLE SELECTS.....

Nick Merkley


I see the Devils waving P.K. Subban in front of me but I'm not biting. This team needs to be built for long term success and bringing in Subban for one season just doesn't cut it. Subban is a competitor and has come into a rough patch these past couple seasons but like every other NHLer he wants to win a Cup. I just can't see Subban agreeing to sign an extension with the Kraken.

Now onto the pick, Merkley. The 23 year old has shown in the AHL that he can score goals and produce some offense. Currently Merkley is tied for the team lead over in Finland with Asat Pori with four goals and nine points. A risky pick but one that could turn out to produce an NHLer that the Kraken could control for years to come.

LINEUP

Compher-Henrique-Hornqvist
x-Lizotte-Kunin
x-Bennett-Merkley
x-Nielsen- Stenlund

Klefbom-Dumba
Zadorov-Miller
Bean-Lauzon
x - Fleury

Khudobin
Hill

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