The Seattle expansion team has a name: the Kraken. A year from now they’ll also have a player claimed from the Calgary Flames, and a prime candidate to join the Kraken may be Sam Bennett.
Teams have two options for expansion protection: seven forwards, three defensemen and a goalie or eight skaters (in any combination) and a goalie. When Vegas joined the NHL, the Flames opted for the 7/3/1 scheme and it seems likely they’ll do the same again.
We’ve discussed the Flames’ expansion draft approach in the past, and their protection list – barring a major trade or signing – will look something like this:
- F Johnny Gaudreau
- F Sean Monahan
- F Elias Lindholm
- F Matthew Tkachuk
- F Mikael Backlund
- F Andrew Mangiapane
- F Dillon Dube
- D Mark Giordano
- D Noah Hanifin
- D Rasmus Andersson
- G David Rittich
So that’s a bunch of cost-controlled long-term assets, plus the two best up-and-comers on the roster, plus whoever their top goalie is at the time.