The Seattle Kraken are ready to officially unveil their roster during the 2021 NHL Expansion Draft.
On Wednesday night, general manager Ron Francis, aided by a plethora of big names including women’s basketball star Sue Bird, Shawn Kemp, Gary Payton and Marshawn Lynch, will announce the 30 guys he’s taking from your favorite team during a broadcast on ESPN.
Until then, who will don the Kraken jersey come October is still a subject of speculation, but that hasn’t stopped the mock drafts to flow, the rumors to swirl and the news to leak out early. Seattle submitted its picks to the NHL before the 10 a.m. ET deadline.
Stock Market Pioneer is tracking the latest rumored selections and side deals until the Kraken announce the players who will join their lineup.
SN’S MOCK DRAFT: Carey Price, Vladimir Tarasenko headline picks
Seattle Kraken roster
The Kraken must pick at least 14 forwards, nine defensemen and three goalies. Twenty of the 30 players selected must have contracts for 2020-21 and all contracts must be cap compliant (ceiling is $81.5 million). Also, a quick reminder: the Golden Knights are exempt.
| TEAM | PLAYER | POS | CAP HIT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anaheim Ducks | – | – | – |
| Arizona Coyotes | – | – | – |
| Boston Bruins | – | – | – |
| Buffalo Sabres | – | – | – |
| Calgary Flames | – | – | – |
| Carolina Hurricanes | – | – | – |
| Chicago Blackhawks | – | – | – |
| Colorado Avalanche | – | – | – |
| Columbus Blue Jackets | – | – | – |
| Dallas Stars | – | – | – |
| Detroit Red Wings | – | – | – |
| Edmonton Oilers | – | – | – |
| Florida Panthers | – | – | – |
| Los Angeles Kings | – | – | – |
| Minnesota Wild | – | – | – |
| Montreal Canadiens | – | – | – |
| Nashville Predators | – | – | – |
| New Jersey Devils | – | – | – |
| New York Islanders | – | – | – |
| New York Rangers | – | – | – |
| Ottawa Senators | – | – | – |
| Philadelphia Flyers | – | – | – |
| Pittsburgh Penguins | – | – | – |
| San Jose Sharks | – | – | – |
| St. Louis Blues | – | – | – |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | – | – | – |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | – | – | – |
| Vancouver Canucks | – | – | – |
| Washington Capitals | – | – | – |
| Winnipeg Jets | – | – | – |
EXPANSION DRAFT: Protected lists | Players available
NHL Expansion Draft rumors
(All times are Eastern)
11:16 a.m. — Another big name who won’t be headed to Seattle.
Sources say #SeaKraken also passed on another high-profile, big money player: Vladimir Tarasenko.
Subject to change but sounds like the selection from #stlblues will be Vince Dunn.@DFOHockey
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) July 21, 2021
11:10 a.m. — It appears Carey Price to Seattle was all talk.
According to sources, the Kraken did NOT select Carey Price in the expansion draft. He remains property of the Montreal Canadiens@TSNHockey @TheAthletic
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) July 21, 2021
11:07 a.m. — Could Vladimir Tarasenko be at the center of one of today’s biggest side deals?
If the Kraken take Tarasenko from the Blues (and I have no confirmation they will), hearing there are teams that have already told Seattle they would trade for him if the Kraken would retain salary… @TSNHockey @TheAthletic
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) July 21, 2021
10:40 a.m. — Brandon Tanev is the Penguins guy? Interesting.
Early word is #SeaKraken have zeroed in on Brandon Tanev from the #pens.
Kraken already unfolding as tough to play against. With Brandon in the Kraken fold, looking forward to potential Tanev v. Tanev brother matchups in the Pacific. @DFOHockey
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) July 21, 2021
10 a.m. — The Kraken have submitted all the deets to the NHL. Now we wait.
9:57 a.m. — Another pending UFA but time is ticking on when things need to be submitted to the NHL.
The Kraken had contract talks with pending UFA Jaden Schwartz but ultimately did not sign him during the window which just closed, source confirms. So the Kraken’s pick will be another Blues player. Dunn? Tarasenko?@TSNHockey @TheAthletic
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) July 21, 2021
MORE: Everything you need to know about the Expansion Draft
9:05 a.m. — A little shocking that Larsson is not re-signing with the Oilers who reportedly offered him similar money.
Further to Frank’s reporting, Adam Larsson has a four-year deal with #SeaKraken — hearing it’ll be a $4M AAV.
Seattle locked him during its exclusive UFA/RFA interview period. https://t.co/7HAV5aVD3C
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) July 21, 2021
9:42 a.m.. — Any thought of the Kraken taking anyone but Gourde appears to be squashed.
Early word is #SeaKraken were focused in on one player from #GoBolts lot: Yanni Gourde.
Not entirely clear how tonight will work. Teams wondering if he’s the only Tampa player heading to Seattle? Could change. But sense is Gourde will be a Kraken before night is done. @DFOHockey
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) July 21, 2021
8:58 a.m. — The first news comes down. If it is in fact Larsson and Oleksiak, they will be the only players Seattle can select from the Oilers and Stars, respectively.
Early word is #SeaKraken are closing in on contracts with two UFA defensemen: Adam Larsson (EDM) and Jamie Oleksiak (DAL).
Not finalized. But barring any last minute change, the expectation is those players will be the selections from #Oilers and #GoStars.@DFOHockey
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) July 21, 2021