Jul 18, 2021
Off-Season Watch: Kraken discussing Price for expansion draft
Ahead of a busy off-season that includes the Seattle Expansion Draft, TSN.ca keeps you up to date with all the latest rumours and speculation from around the NHL beat.
TSN.ca Staff
Kraken discussing Price
According to LeBrun, the Seattle Kraken are taking a deep dive internally on whether or not to take Carey Price in the upcoming expansion draft. LeBrun guesses Seattle doesn't take Price but thinks there's a better chance of it than he first thought.
It’s a hefty contract to be sure, but I’m told the Seattle Kraken are taking a deep dive internally on whether or not to take Carey Price in the expansion draft. My guess is they don’t in the end, but I do think there’s a better chance of it than I first thought. Intriguing.
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) July 18, 2021
Price is fresh off a run to the Stanley Cup Finals with the Montreal Canadiens where they lost in five games to the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Anahim Lake, B.C. native has spent his entire NHL career with Montreal after the club selected him fifth overall at the 2005 NHL Draft.
The 33-year-old won the Hart Trophy, Vezina Trophy, Ted Lindsay Award and William M. Jennings Trophy in 2015 and is a seven-time All-Star. He won Olympic gold with Team Canada in 2014.
He has five years remaining on an eight-year, $84 million contract he signed in 2017 with a $10.5 million cap hit.
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If the Kraken do select Price, the NHL has informed them and the Montreal Canadiens that they will not be allowed to work out a trade for the veteran goaltender that would see him return for picks or assets in exchange for salary retention as that will be considered circumvention, according to TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun.
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Strome drawing trade interest
Strickland is reporting that New York Rangers forward Ryan Strome is drawing a "decent amount" of trade interest, with the Ottawa Senators among those teams.
Ryan Strome (protected by #NYR) drawing decent amount of trade interest. Ottawa among those teams. #goSENSgo
— Andy Strickland (@andystrickland) July 18, 2021
Strome, who was protected by New York for the upcoming Seattle expansion draft, had 14 goals and 49 points in 56 games in 2020-21.
The Mississauga, Ont. native was drafted fifth overall by the New York Islanders at the 2011 NHL Draft. In 547 career NHL games, he has 109 goals and 303 points split between the Islanders, Edmonton Oilers and Rangers.
Foligno brothers reunion?
Andy Strickland of Bally Sports Midwest is hearing there's a strong possibility that Nick Foligno signs in Minnesota and joins his younger brother Marcus on a short term deal.
Nick Foligno joined the Toronto Maple Leafs ahead of the trade deadline this past season, recording four assists in seven regular season games. He had one assist in four playoff games.
He previously spent nine years with the Columbus Blue Jackets, including six seasons as captain.
Hearing there’s a strong possibility Nick Foligno signs in Minnesota and joins his brother Marcus on a short term deal. #Mnwild #Leafsforever
— Andy Strickland (@andystrickland) July 18, 2021
Prices remain high
Per LeBrun, his sense is that the price has remained too high for the Calgary Flames to get assurance the Seattle Kraken won't take Mark Giordano.
Teams are still allowed to keep trying with Seattle right up until the Kraken send in their list.
My sense is that the price has simply remained too high for the Flames to get assurance the Kraken won't take Giordano. But remember, teams are still allowed to keep trying with Seattle right up to when the Kraken send in their list. But unless price drops... https://t.co/sXMInhvZWh
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) July 18, 2021
Seattle Expansion Draft Lists
Expansion draft protection lists from the NHL's 30 teams as revealed by TSN Hockey Insiders Pierre LeBrun and Darren Dreger:
JVR, 32, has two more years on his contract at a $7-million cap hit https://t.co/5EUjGWJgQr
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) July 18, 2021
This is indeed the case. Zucker left unprotected by the Penguins. Has two more years on his deal at a $5.5-million cap hit. https://t.co/YQfKwHWNad
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) July 18, 2021
The Winnipeg Jets have left Appleton and DeMelo unprotected. So many tough decisions by all clubs.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) July 18, 2021
Leaving Kempny and Hagelin available. https://t.co/wvgUQmX15j
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) July 18, 2021
Drouin and Byron among the forwards left unprotected by the Habs, which I expected. Rules state you need at least two forwards who meet the criteria for Seattle.
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) July 18, 2021
Of course, as we reported last night, Carey Price also left unprotected in an effort to keep Jake Allen.
The Winnipeg Jets have left Appleton and DeMelo unprotected. So many tough decisions by all clubs.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) July 18, 2021
Nashville left both Ryan Johansen and Matt Duchene unprotected for the expansion draft.
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) July 18, 2021
Johansen, 28, has four more years at a $8-million cap hit
Duchene, 30, has five more years at a $8-million cap hit@TSNHockey @TheAthletic
Alex Kerfoot left unprotected by the Maple Leafs. Far from a surprise, but a very good player. https://t.co/htULuL5SGo
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) July 18, 2021