Seattle Expansion Draft Speculation

[Fighting Banana Slug]

Gio will likely be the best player the Flames expose. He might have the most value (short term), if he can be flipped at the deadline. That still isn't worth spending assets to protect him, or give him a slot and expose others.

The Flames will lose someone. It will either be Gio or Kylington, likely. I would prefer to keep both, but not at the cost of other assets, be they players or picks.

[Classic_Sniper]

Originally Posted by Oling_Roachinen

I'm sure Sutter wants Giordano over not having Giordano. We agree there. But he's the coach for the Flames, not the GM for the Krakens. Heck not even the GM for the Flames who have to look long-term unlike a coach.

I think you take the risk that the GM of the Krakens doesn't want to take on a 38 year old. Then if you're wrong, look at using that cap-space on a UFA who might bring in something comparable.

Yeah that wouldn't be my strategy going into this expansion draft. Seattle is going to want one of our good defensemen and I think Gio would absolutely be a piece they'd be interested in, especially if the alternative is what, Kylington?

It's also hard to find a defenseman of Gio's calibre out on the open market and since the Flames are clearly looking to not rebuild based on everything I've seen, the Flames will likely be a worser team without Gio. So, we'll have to see what happens I guess.

[Yanda]

Saying Kylington couldnt get a 2nd? I mean Lazar got a second. Be optimistic

[MrMike]

Originally Posted by Fighting Banana Slug

Gio will likely be the best player the Flames expose. He might have the most value (short term), if he can be flipped at the deadline. That still isn't worth spending assets to protect him, or give him a slot and expose others.

The Flames will lose someone. It will either be Gio or Kylington, likely. I would prefer to keep both, but not at the cost of other assets, be they players or picks.

Even if he’s going to be worth more at the deadline, you know the Flames won’t trade him then. We always add defencemen we don’t trade them.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

For some reason I thought he had 2 seasons left. One season - my point is even stronger IMO. His family wouldn’t even likely move at all. They might not move to Seattle, and I doubt many rentals move when traded at the TDL. Plus he’d be an hour away by plane. He could spend any non-practice day with the family if he wanted.

Money is always an issue. And Gio knew that a trade would be likely and was willing to take the risk, otherwise he wouldn’t agree to the pretty weak MNTC in his last 2 years.

I agree with you. I am certain that Gio’s family is extremely important to him. But a guy that played in Russia for a year to further his hockey career is probably not going to quit over the prospect of playing in Seattle for less than a year.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by Yanda

Saying Kylington couldnt get a 2nd? I mean Lazar got a second. Be optimistic

he cleared waivers this season...league min salary

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

I agree with you. I am certain that Gio’s family is extremely important to him. But a guy that played in Russia for a year to further his hockey career is probably not going to quit over the prospect of playing in Seattle for less than a year.

Right. He’s 37, which is old for a player but young for a man. He’s gonna have many many years in retirement. Playing for an expansion team might be fun (maybe Engelland could provide some advice there). And if he’s a TDL move, he’s going to a contender - it might be his easiest way to a Cup.

[krynski]

When do these player lists need to be produced?

Nvm, found it.

Teams will have their protection lists finalized by July 17, followed by a window in which Seattle has exclusive negotiating rights with free agents from July 18-21. If the Kraken sign a UFA in that window, that counts as their selection against the roster of that player's former team.

The expansion draft itself will be July 21, with free agency for all opening on July 28 (and the entry draft in between).

https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article...pansion-draft/

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by _Q_

The Calgary frickin Flames.... a lottery team with garbage players, wants to use assets that they can't afford in order to protect some of their worst players. That's the Flames way.

Calgary fricking Flames fans… a fan base that craps all over their team for hypothetical moves that nobody has even made. Just make up the dumbest idea you can think of, say the Flames are bound to do it, and Bob's your uncle.

I sometimes think people only become Flames fans in the first place so they can have something to complain about.

[Lanny_McDonald]

What is really scary about this expansion system, the Kraken have a really good chance in having not only a deeper roster than the Flames, but a better development system, and a better coaching staff, after all is said and done.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by New Era

What is really scary about this expansion system, the Kraken have a really good chance in having not only a deeper roster than the Flames, but a better development system, and a better coaching staff, after all is said and done.

No they won't. Anything to bring doom and gloom to the board though right?

[Fighting Banana Slug]

Originally Posted by New Era

What is really scary about this expansion system, the Kraken have a really good chance in having not only a deeper roster than the Flames, but a better development system, and a better coaching staff, after all is said and done.

I had my doubts about this statement, but finally went through the process in Capfriendly, and the Kraken should be able to fill a competent team, even without the trades that Vegas landed.

Not sure they will be any good, but definitely room to go young for the most part, sprinkling in some vets for presence and future trades. On this basis, I had Gio going. I can't see Seattle taking Kylington or Phillips based on what other young, but more established players that may be available.

Edit: But yeah, the Flames should be a better team next year, and the stuff about better development system and coaching staff is just dumb. Expansion doesn't give them a better opportunity on those things. They just have a blank slate.

[cannon7]

Originally Posted by New Era

What is really scary about this expansion system, the Kraken have a really good chance in having not only a deeper roster than the Flames, but a better development system, and a better coaching staff, after all is said and done.

You say that like it's a difficult thing to do...

[krynski]

Originally Posted by Fighting Banana Slug

I had my doubts about this statement, but finally went through the process in Capfriendly, and the Kraken should be able to fill a competent team, even without the trades that Vegas landed.

Not sure they will be any good, but definitely room to go young for the most part, sprinkling in some vets for presence and future trades. On this basis, I had Gio going. I can't see Seattle taking Kylington or Phillips based on what other young, but more established players that may be available.

Edit: But yeah, the Flames should be a better team next year, and the stuff about better development system and coaching staff is just dumb. Expansion doesn't give them a better opportunity on those things. They just have a blank slate.

This is true. I mean, if we end up exposing Giordano (there has to be a number of teams that are in similar scenarios) I could see the Kraken somehow managing to put together a roster with 6 Giordanos.....

[cannon7]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

No they won't. Anything to bring doom and gloom to the board though right?

Have you seen the mock drafts? I think chances are reasonably good the Kracken will have a better roster than the Flames. Certainly more consistent depth at every position. This was largely the key to Vegas' success.

[Toonage]

Given the Kraken are likely to accumulate picks and prospects while also choosing from a deep pool of available talent and an ownership group with deep pockets for a coaching staff it's not out of the realm of possibility that they have a team equal to Calgary or any number of teams.

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

No they won't. Anything to bring doom and gloom to the board though right?

It is very likely they will, and that is without pulling off any trades. They will have access to 30 NHL players, mostly around third line forwards and second pair defensemen. Seeing that the Flames struggle to fill three lines with NHL talent, I'd say the Kraken will have better depth. Probably not better top end talent, but better depth throughout the lineup.

Development wise, I'm certain there will be some draft picks headed their way to make sure certain players are not selected. That is going to immediately swell their prospect ranks. Add in Calgary's terrible prospect depth and it is very likely the Kraken will have been prospects going into next season. They will also be able to buy their minor league team and have a number of good young players at their disposal.

Coaching wise, they are going to have the pick of the market, and that market looks to be opening up. Sutter is what Sutter is, and I don't think he's a coach for this league anymore. Seattle will have the pick of the litter. Good position to be in, especially when it comes to working with the talent they will have access to.

So please, tell me where I'm wrong in this postulation? Or is this you just being you and not seeing what is obvious?

[The Yen Man]

I honestly doubt the same thing that happened to Vegas will happen to the Kraken. Vegas had everything come together for them, and were able to sustain it because they have a competitive team and an attractive market. The norm is for expansion franchises to suck. I think Seattle will be more of the norm rather than the Vegas outlier.

[Erick Estrada]

Maybe it's me but I think the Knights caught lightning in a bottle and that the Kraken should be looking to get into the 2022 Shane Wright and 2023 Bedard/Michkov sweepstakes. Those are franchise altering players. Having a really poor inaugural season will probably do the franchise more good in the long term than building a roster that leads to perpetual mediocrity as we have witnessed in Calgary.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Maybe it's me but I think the Knights caught lightning in a bottle and that the Kraken should be looking to get into the 2022 Shane Wright and 2023 Bedard/Michkov sweepstakes. Having a really poor inaugural season will probably do the franchise more good in the long term than building a roster that leads to perpetual mediocrity as we have witnessed in Calgary.

Agreed. It would be best if the Kraken went the rebuild route, especially when the Kings and Ducks are going to be back and competing for playoff spots sooner than later (mainly the Kings). If the Kraken could land one those franchise players that franchise would be set for the next decade or so with a key cornerstone piece.