KRAKEN

Seattle Kraken expansion draft tracker: Picks, trades, reports and more

Jul 21, 2021, 7:00 PM | Updated: 8:39 pm

Chris Driedger is the Seattle Kraken's expansion draft pick from the Florida Panthers. (AP) Chris Driedger is the Seattle Kraken's expansion draft pick from the Florida Panthers. (AP) SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - JULY 21: Brandon Tanev is interviewed after being drafted by the Seattle Kraken during the 2021 NHL Expansion Draft at Gas Works Park on July 21, 2021 in Seattle, Washington. The Kraken is the National Hockey League's newest franchise and will begin play in October 2021. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images) SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - JULY 21: Brandon Tanev is interviewed after being drafted by the Seattle Kraken during the 2021 NHL Expansion Draft at Gas Works Park on July 21, 2021 in Seattle, Washington. The Kraken is the National Hockey League's newest franchise and will begin play in October 2021. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images) SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - JULY 21: Brandon Tanev (L) is interviewed by Chris Fowler (R) after being drafted by the Seattle Kraken during the 2021 NHL Expansion Draft at Gas Works Park on July 21, 2021 in Seattle, Washington. The Kraken is the National Hockey League's newest franchise and will begin play in October 2021. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images) SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - JULY 21: Jordan Eberle is interviewed after being drafted by the Seattle Kraken during the 2021 NHL Expansion Draft at Gas Works Park on July 21, 2021 in Seattle, Washington. The Kraken is the National Hockey League's newest franchise and will begin play in October 2021. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images) SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - JULY 21: Haydn Fleury is selected by the Seattle Kraken during the 2021 NHL Expansion Draft at Gas Works Park on July 21, 2021 in Seattle, Washington. The Seattle Kraken is the National Hockey League's newest franchise and will begin play in October 2021. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images) SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - JULY 21: Jamie Oleksiak is selected by the Seattle Kraken during the 2021 NHL Expansion Draft at Gas Works Park on July 21, 2021 in Seattle, Washington. The Seattle Kraken is the National Hockey League's newest franchise and will begin play in October 2021. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images) SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - JULY 21: Jamie Oleksiak is selected by the Seattle Kraken during the 2021 NHL Expansion Draft at Gas Works Park on July 21, 2021 in Seattle, Washington. The Seattle Kraken is the National Hockey League's newest franchise and will begin play in October 2021. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images) SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - JULY 21: Jordan Eberle is interviewed after being drafted by the Seattle Kraken during the 2021 NHL Expansion Draft at Gas Works Park on July 21, 2021 in Seattle, Washington. The Kraken is the National Hockey League's newest franchise and will begin play in October 2021. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images) SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - JULY 21: (Back Row L-R) Mark Giordano, Brandon Tanev, Jamie Oleksiak, Haydn Fleury, Jordan Eberle and Chris Drieger are introduced as members of the Seattle Kraken during the 2021 NHL Expansion Draft at Gas Works Park on July 21, 2021 in Seattle, Washington. The Seattle Kraken is the National Hockey League's newest franchise and will begin play in October 2021. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images) SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - JULY 21: (L-R) Former NHL player Dominic Moore, Mark Giordano and broadcaster Chris Fowler attend the 2021 NHL expansion Draft at the Gas Works Park on July 21, 2021 in Seattle, Washington. The Kraken is the National Hockey League's newest franchise and will begin play in October 2021. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images) SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - JULY 21: Mark Giordano is selected by the Seattle Kraken during the 2021 NHL Expansion Draft at Gas Works Park on July 21, 2021 in Seattle, Washington. The Seattle Kraken is the National Hockey League's newest franchise and will begin play in October 2021. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images) SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - JULY 21: Fans attend the 2021 NHL Expansion Draft at Gas Works Park on July 21, 2021 in Seattle, Washington. The Seattle Kraken is the National Hockey League's newest franchise and will begin play in October 2021. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images) SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - JULY 21: Shawn Kemp and Gary Payton of the Seattle SuperSonics announce new members of the Seattle Kraken during the 2021 NHL Expansion Draft at Gas Works Park on July 21, 2021 in Seattle, Washington. The Seattle Kraken is the National Hockey League's newest franchise and will begin play in October 2021. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images) SEATTLE, WA - JULY 21:  Six new draft picks take the stage at the Seattle Kraken 2021 NHL expansion draft at Gas Works Park on July 21, 2021 in Seattle, Washington. Thousands of free tickets were available to fans to attend this live broadcast event on ESPN2 to watch the Kraken make 30 selections to build their first roster in franchise history. Boats were encouraged to sail-gate. (Photo by Karen Ducey/Getty Images) SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - JULY 21: Former NHL player Dominic Moore (L) tosses a fish while hosting the 2021 NHL Expansion Draft at Gas Works Park on July 21, 2021 in Seattle, Washington. The Kraken is the National Hockey League's newest franchise and will begin play in October 2021. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images) SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - JULY 21: Fans attend the 2021 NHL Expansion Draft at Gas Works Park on July 21, 2021 in Seattle, Washington. The Seattle Kraken is the National Hockey League's newest franchise and will begin play in October 2021. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images) SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - JULY 21: Fans float nearby the 2021 NHL Expansion Draft at Gas Works Park on July 21, 2021 in Seattle, Washington. The Seattle Kraken is the National Hockey League's newest franchise and will begin play in October 2021. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images) SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - JULY 21: Head coach Dave Hakstol of the Seattle Kraken attends the 2021 NHL Expansion Draft at Gas Works Park on July 21, 2021 in Seattle, Washington. The Seattle Kraken is the National Hockey League's newest franchise and will begin play in October 2021. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images) SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - JULY 21: Head coach Dave Hakstol and general manager Ron Francis of the Seattle Kraken attend the 2021 NHL Expansion Draft at Gas Works Park on July 21, 2021 in Seattle, Washington. The Seattle Kraken is the National Hockey League's newest franchise and will begin play in October 2021. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images) SEATTLE, WA - JULY 21: Jennifer Lang and her sons, including Jessie Lang (R), applaud as the first picks are made at the Seattle Kraken 2021 NHL expansion draft at Gas Works Park on July 21, 2021 in Seattle, Washington. Thousands of free tickets were available to fans to attend this live broadcast event on ESPN2 to watch the Kraken make 30 selections to build their first roster in franchise history. (Photo by Karen Ducey/Getty Images) SEATTLE, WA - JULY 21: Eddie Stover, 13, who plays hockey for the Northwest Stars, shows off his Kraken logo haircut at the Seattle Kraken 2021 NHL expansion draft at Gas Works Park on July 21, 2021 in Seattle, Washington. Thousands of free tickets were available to fans to attend this live broadcast event on ESPN2 to watch the Kraken make 30 selections to build their first roster in franchise history. (Photo by Karen Ducey/Getty Images) SEATTLE, WA - JULY 21: Thousands of fans cheer during the Seattle Kraken 2021 NHL expansion draft at Gas Works Park on July 21, 2021 in Seattle, Washington. Free  tickets were available to fans to attend this live broadcast event on ESPN2 to watch the Kraken make 30 selections to build their first roster in franchise history. Boats were encouraged to sail-gate. (Photo by Karen Ducey/Getty Images) SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - JULY 21: Hockey hall of famer and Seattle Kraken scout Cammi Granato attends the 2021 NHL Expansion Draft at Gas Works Park on July 21, 2021 in Seattle, Washington. The Seattle Kracken is the National Hockey League's newest franchise and will begin play in October 2021. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images) SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - JULY 21: Tod Leiweke, CEO of the Seattle Kraken speaks during the 2021 NHL Expansion Draft at Gas Works Park on July 21, 2021 in Seattle, Washington. The Kraken is the National Hockey League's newest franchise and will begin play in October 2021. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images) (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images) NHL commissioner Gary Bettman does an interview before the Seattle Kraken expansion draft. (AP) NHL commissioner Gary Bettman does an interview before the Seattle Kraken expansion draft. (AP) Fans watch the Seattle Kraken expansion draft from Lake Union. (AP) The Seattle Kraken expansion draft stage at Gas Works Park. (AP) The Seattle Kraken expansion draft stage at Gas Works Park. (AP) The Seattle Kraken flag flies at the Space Needle. (AP) Fans watch the Seattle Kraken expansion draft from Lake Union. (AP)

Update 8:39 p.m.: For an in-depth look at all 30 Seattle Kraken expansion draft picks, check out our Breakdown post here.

The Seattle Kraken are the center of the hockey world today as they have announced their NHL expansion draft picks.

NHL insider: Expect several Kraken trades after expansion draft

Seattle’s 30 picks are finally now public after an event from Seattle’s Gas Works Park and televised live on ESPN2, though reports were flying all day from NHL insiders on what choices the Kraken had made.

First, a quick primer on the expansion draft itself. The Seattle Kraken were allowed to pick one player each from 30 of the 31 other NHL franchise, with the Las Vegas Golden Knights the lone exception as they are just four seasons into existence after their own expansion draft.

The other NHL teams had to submit their protected lists ahead of a deadline Saturday, and they had the options of protecting either seven forwards, three defensemen and a goalie (11 total players) or eight skaters and one goalie (nine total). You can view the full protected and unprotected lists here. The Kraken, led by general manager Ron Francis, then had until 7 a.m. Wednesday to submit their picks to the league. Trades and side deals are expected to revealed, as well, which can add up to a whole lot of action after the initial picks become clear.

We have coverage live on 710 ESPN Seattle with hosts Bob Stelton and Mike Salk joined by NHL Network insider Jon Morosi, a frequent 710 guest, to provide analysis. And keep your eye out for our full Breakdown post here on 710Sports.com looking at each new Kraken player now that the expansion draft is wrapped up.

Official picks

Boston Bruins: Jeremy Lauzon, D

24 years old. One year, $850,000 left on contract. Second-round pick by the Bruins in 2015.

Buffalo Sabres: Will Borgen, D

24 years old. One year, $850,000 left on contract. Second-round pick by the Bruins in 2015.

Detroit Red Wings: Dennis Cholowski, D

23 years old. First-round pick in 2016 by Detroit, taken 20th overall. From Langley, British Columbia, less than a three-hour drive north of Seattle. Had a goal and two assists in 16 games last season with the Red Wings.

Florida Panthers: Chris Driedger, G

27 years old. Was an unrestricted free agent but will reportedly sign a three-year, $10.5 million deal. Drafted by Ottawa. Spent the last two seasons with the Panthers. Made 23 starts in 2020-21 with a 2.07 goals against average (GAA) and .927 save percentage.

Montreal Canadiens: Cale Fleury, D

22 years old. Restricted free agent who finished up a three-year, $2.3 million deal last season. Third-round pick by the Canadiens in 2017. Brother of fellow Kraken pick Haydn Fleury.

Ottawa Senators: Joey Daccord, G

24 years old. Two years, $750,000 per year left on contract. Seventh-round pick by Ottawa. Suffered a leg injury in March and played only 8 games last season.

Tampa Bay Lightning: Yanni Gourde, C

29 years old. Due $5.166 million for the next four seasons (through 2024-25). Third-line center on the two-time defending Stanley Cup champions. Signed with the Lightning as an undrafted free agent in 2015. In 2020-21 he played 56 games with 17 goals and 19 assists.

Toronto Maple Leafs: Jared McCann, F

25 years old. One year, $2.94 million left on contract. Was traded to the Leafs on Saturday from the Penguins. Was the 24th overall pick in 2014 by Vancouver. In 2020-21, he played 43 games and had 14 goals (including seven power play goals) and 18 assists.

Carolina Hurricanes: Morgan Geekie, C

23 years old. One year, $750,000 left on contract. The former Tri-City Americans payer was a 2017 third-round pick of Hurricanes under now-Kraken GM Ron Francis. In 2020-21, played 36 games with three goals and six assists.

Columbus Blue Jackets: Gavin Bayreuther, D

27 years old. Unrestricted free agent.

New Jersey Devils: Nathan Bastian, F

23 years old. Two years, $825,000 per year remaining on contract. Second-round pick of the Devils in 2016. Last season played 41 games with three goals and seven assists.

New York Islanders: Jordan Eberle, F

31 years old. Three years, $5.5 million per year left on contract. The 2008 first-round pick of Edmonton. In 2020-21, played 55 games with 16 goals and 17 assists.

New York Rangers: Colin Blackwell, F

28 years old. Reported to be a trade candidate from the Kraken. Has one year and $725,000 left on contract. A seventh-round pick of San Jose in 2014. In 2020-21, played 47 games and had 12 goals and 10 assists.

Philadelphia Flyers: Carsen Twarynski, F

23 years old. Restricted free agent who just finished a three-year, $2.775 million deal. A 2016 third-round pick of the Flyers. Played seven games in 2020-21.

Pittsburgh Penguins: Brandon Tanev, F

29 years old. Four years, $3.5 million per year left on contract. Undrafted free agent who signed with the Jets in 2015. Spent the last two seasons with the Penguins. In 2020-21, played 32 games with seven goals and nine assists.

Washington Capitals: Vitek Vanecek, G

25 years old. One year, $716,667 remaining on contract. Second-round pick of Capitals in 2014. Made 36 starts last year last season with a 2.69 GAA and .908 save percentage.

Arizona Coyotes: Tyler Pitlick, F

29 years old. One year, $1.75 million remaining on contract. Second-round pick of Edmonton in 2010. In 38 games in 2020-21, Pitlick had six goals and five assists.

Chicago Blackhawks: John Quenneville, C

25 years old. Unrestricted free agent who just finished a three-year, $2.775 million deal. First-round pick of the Devils in 2014. Was on the Blackhawks taxi squad last season.

Colorado Avalanche: Joonas Donskoi, F

29 years old. Two years with a $3.9 million salary remaining on his deal. Played the last two seasons on the Avs. In 51 games in 2020-21, scored 17 goals and 14 assists.

Dallas Stars: Jamie Oleksiak, D

28 years old. The 14th overall pick in 2011 by the Stars. “Jamie Oleksiak fights” is one of the first things that pops up when you search type his name into Google. At 6 foot 7, could be Seattle’s enforcer. Unrestricted free agent – no contract details announced yet.

Minnesota Wild: Carson Soucy, D

26 years old. Two years with a $2.75 million salary left on contract. Fifth-round pick in 2013 by the Wild.

Nashville Predators: Calle Järnkrok, C

29 years old. One year, $2 million left on contract. A 2010 second-round pick of the Red Wings. Had 13 goals and 15 assists in 49 games last season.

St. Louis Blues: Vince Dunn, D

24 years old. Restricted free agent who made $1.875 million last year. Second-round pick of the Blues in 2015.

Winnipeg Jets: Mason Appleton, F

25 years old. One year, $900,000 left on contract. A 2015 sixth-round pick. Played 56 games last season with 12 goals and 13 assists.

Anaheim Ducks: Hadyn Fleury, D

25 years old. One year, $1.3 million left on contract. First-round pick of the Carolina Hurricanes in 2014, which was Kraken general manager Ron Francis’ first season as Hurricanes GM. Traded to the Ducks at the deadline this past season. Brother of fellow Kraken pick Cale Fleury.

Calgary Flames: Mark Giordano, D

37 years old. One year, $6.75 million left on contract. Flames captain. Signed as an undrafted free agent with the Flames in 2004-05.

Edmonton Oilers: Adam Larsson, D

28 years old. Fourth overall pick in the 2011 draft by New Jersey. Played the last five years with the Oilers. Unrestricted free agent reportedly signing a four-year, $16 million deal with the Kraken.

Los Angeles Kings: Kurtis MacDermid, D

27 years old. One year, $875,000 left on contract. Checks in at 6 foot 5 and gets into a lot of fights. Signed as an undrafted free agent with the Kings in 2012.

San Jose Sharks: Alexander True, F

23 years old. True will be an immediate fan favorite due to his history in the area as he played for the Seattle Thunderbirds from 2014-17. A restricted free agent who just finished a three-year, $2.4 million deal. In 2021 he played seven games with one assist and seven shots.

Vancouver Canucks: Kole Lind, F

22 years old. Restricted free agent who just finished a three-year, $3.75 million deal. Second-round pick of the Canucks in 2017. Spent most of last season in the minors.

Seattle Kraken expansion draft reports

Here are details on reports from NHL insiders revealing all 30 picks from earlier Wednesday.

• A report from Mark Spector of Sportsnet Wednesday afternoon finally filled in the last blank. The Kraken’s pick from the Detroit Red Wings will be defenseman Dennis Cholowski.

• Calgary captain Mark Giordano will be Seattle’s selection from the Flames, according to Salim Nadim Valji of TSN.

Frank Seravalli of DailyFaceoff.com reports that the Kraken have settled on three goaltenders: Chris Driedger from Florida, Vitek Vanecek from Washington, and Joey Daccord from Ottawa.

• Servavalli has several other reports of Kraken picks, including: Jared McCann, F, Toronto; Carsen Twarynski, F, Philadelphia; Carson Soucy, D, Minnesota; Gavin Bayreuther, D, Columbus; Kole Lind, F, Vancouver; Kurtis MacDermid, D, Los Angeles.

• Also according to Seravalli, the Kraken decided against taking some well-known players available to them. That list includes: Carey Price, G, Montreal; Vladimir Tarasenko, F, St. Louis; Max Domi, C, Columbus.

• Servalli tweeted that the Kraken were focused on center Yanni Gourde as their selection from the two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning. He also said that defensemen Vince Dunn and Jeremy Lauzon sound like the picks from St. Louis and Boston, respectively, that the Kraken have “zeroed in” on forward Brandon Tanev from Pittsburgh, and that defenseman Cale Fleury is likely to be taken from Montreal.

• Forward Joonas Donskoi will be the Kraken’s pick from the Colorado Avalanche, according to Ryan S. Clark of The Athletic.

• Pierre LeBrun of TSN and The Athletic is another reliable NHL insider with several reports on Kraken picks. His include: Jordan Eberle, F, New York Islanders; Morgan Geekie, C, Carolina; Haydn Fleury, D, Anaheim; and most notably former Seattle Thunderbirds player Alexander True, F, San Jose.

• Forward Mason Appleton is Seattle’s selection from the Winnipeg Jets, according to TSN’s Darren Dreger.

• Chris Johnston of Hockey Night in Canada followed up on a report by Seravalli that the Kraken have a four-year deal in place with Edmonton defensman Adam Larsson. Seravalli’s initial report also included that Seattle was closing in a contract with Dallas defenseman Jamie Oleksiak.

• More reports from Johnston: Calle Järnkrok, a center, is believed to be Seattle’s pick from Nashville over the pricier Ryan Johansen and Matt Duchene, while forward Nathan Bastian will be the pick from New Jersey.

• Steve Dangle of Sportsnet reported that Seattle is making a surprising pick from Chicago in center John Quenneville.

• NHL Network correspondent Craig Morgan reports the selection from the Arizona Coyotes will be forward Tyler Pitlick.

• The Athletic’s Rick Carpiniello tweeted that he is hearing forward Colin Blackwell will be Seattle’s pick from the New York Rangers but added that a trade may be in the works to allow New York to keep Blackwell.

• Defensman Will Borgen is heading to Seattle from Buffalo, according to Lance Lysowski of The Buffalo News.

More on the Kraken expansion draft

Kraken expansion draft: Salk’s dream team from available players
ESPN’s Emily Kaplan on key players Kraken could take to build around
• Former MVP Carey Price among top players left unprotected
• ESPN ‘s Greg Wyshynski: How Seattle will approach expansion draft
• John Forslund, voice of Kraken, says get a goalie, map out a long-term plan

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