Red Wings: Steve Yzerman has Seattle Kraken expansion draft on horizon
By Tyler Kotila
The Detroit Red Wings 2019-20 season is over, so looking to the future, what could happen in the Seattle Kraken NHL Expansion Draft.
The National Hockey League (NHL) is preparing for a return to play, but for some teams, like the Detroit Red Wings, the 2019-20 season is over. That being said, General Manager (GM) Steve Yzerman has started to look to the future and continue with his Yzer-plan.
The NHL has welcome its latest franchise with the unveiling of the Seattle Kraken branding and team name for the Seattle hockey franchise. With the name being settled, the Arena being built, and the final steps being completed, the 32nd NHL franchise will just need to get some players.
Yzerman has his sights set on the future, and looking quite far down the road, is the Seattle Kraken NHL Expansion Draft. The Kraken will begin to play during the 2021-22 season, but they will need a team to do so.
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The Kraken’s expansion draft will have the same rules as the Vegas Golden Knights had when they entered the league.
The Kraken will select one player from each team, except the Golden Knights, where they will choose a total of 14 forwards, nine defenseman, and three goaltenders.
There are plenty of other rules regarding buyouts, and selecting players under contract for 2021-22, as well as reaching a salary cap threshold.
But what should the Detroit Red Wings be concerned about for the NHL Expansion Draft?
The Red Wings will have to decide which of these two plans works best in conjunction with Yzerman’s plans and current roster construction.
They can protect seven forwards, three defensemen, and a goalie, or they can select eight skaters and a goalie to protect given the following bullets on the NHL.com press release. The set of criteria that must be met can be found at an extended list on the link above.
Given these standards, Yzerman will have to make some decisions; however, that is not until around June of 2021, providing COVID-19 hasn’t caused even more changes. But, eventually, this will become a staple of Red Wings coverage, but it is never to early to start looking ahead.
Especially since the organization’s 2019-20 season is over, looking ahead is all fans, and the organization can do. Yzerman should have a successful free agency this offseason, with a flat salary cap he will be able to capitalize and poach a star from a financially struggling team.
Sooner or later, once the Red Wings have made signings and trades and the 2020-21 season is upon us, it will be more apparent as to what the organization will do and who they will protect. It will be aa clearer picture for the organization after (being optimistic) the organization brings in a big name or two this offseason and a goaltender.
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For the time being, the Detroit Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman will remember that the Seattle Kraken have been unveiled, and the draft is coming and is not as far away as it may seem.