The 2021 Seattle Kraken Expansion Draft is coming soon. Even though the playoffs are still going on, most teams will be starting to focus on the offseason as we get further into June. The Seattle Kraken will start their inaugural year in 2021-22, and with that comes the expansion draft. There are plenty of opportunities for this Seattle team and the draft, which will take place on July 21st, is sure to be thrilling. While it will be hard to replicate the success of the Vegas Golden Knights (who are exempt from this draft) first season, fans should be excited regardless. Each day, Last Word on Hockey will go through a team and preview all the possible protection, exposure, and trade scenarios. Today, we take a look at the Anaheim Ducks preview for the Seattle Kraken expansion draft.
Seattle Kraken Expansion Draft Options for the Anaheim Ducks
The Outlook
The rebuilding Anaheim Ducks had a 2020-21 season that could be most gently described as transitional. Pending UFA and longtime first-line center, Ryan Getzlaf had the worst statistical season of his career at 36 years old. Second-line center Adam Henrique was shockingly waived with three years and over 23 million left on his deal. Luckily, all was not drossed for the once-mighty Ducks. Trevor Zegras and Jamie Drysdale both debuted and gave glimpses of a promising Ducks future. Anaheim not being competitive this past season means there won’t be many difficult decisions and protections. Zegras, Drysdale, and Max Comtois are all exempt from Seattle. The most difficult decision Anaheim faces is choosing which of their former first-round picks in Isac Lundestrom, Max Jones, or Sam Steel they will protect.
Protection List: Forwards
Rickard Rakell
With only nine goals and 19 assists in 52 games, “Ricky Racks” had a disappointing season. Yet protecting Rickard Rakell remains an easy choice for the Ducks. Rakell has two 30 goal seasons on his resume, has an affordable cap hit of 3.789 million, and is only 28. Rakell is a 2022 UFA. If the Ducks decide he isn’t in the long-term picture, they can protect Rakell now, and then trade him for an asset at next year’s deadline.
Jakob Silfverberg
Much like Rakell and most of the Ducks, Jakob Silfverberg had a down offensive year. Though his 5.25 million cap hit leaves a lot more offensive value to be desired, Silfverberg still provides good defensive value. Silfverberg was the best Ducks forward next to only Troy Terry in both Expected Goals Against per 60 and Corsi Against per 60. He’s never broken 50 points in a season, but the previous two years he scored at least 20 goals.
Troy Terry
Troy Terry has developed into Anaheim’s best defensive forward. His 20 points in 48 games weren’t astounding, but Terry’s positive possession stats and previous AHL dominance suggest there could be more production coming. Terry’s cap hit is only 1.45 million and he is RFA controlled at the end of next season.
Isac Lundestrom
Isac Lundestrom gets the final forward protection over both Max Jones and Sam Steel. Though none of the three have yet to truly establish themselves as productive NHLers, the most hope may lie with Lundestrom. Lundestrom is the youngest of the three and the highest drafted of three at 23rd overall in 2018. All three’s offensive output has been relatively dismal in their careers so far. However, Lundestrom sets himself apart from Steel and Jones through his defensive ability. Lundestrom was one of Anaheim’s better defensive forwards this year while Jones and Steel were two of Anaheim’s worst. None of the three are looking like impact NHLers, but at least Lundestrom returns value defensively.
Protection List: Defense
Cam Fowler
Though often regarded as an offensive defenseman, Cam Fowler has actually been solid defensively the past few seasons. He not only led Ducks defensemen in scoring in 2020-21, but he also led them in Corsi Against per 60. The only drawback to Fowler is his 6.5 million dollar contract for the next five years. It’s not the best contract in terms of value, but it’s also not the worst in the league or even on the Ducks.
Hampus Lindholm
Hampus Lindholm only played 18 games in 2020-21 because of injury, but he’s due for a healthy bounce back next year. From a stretch of about 2015-2018, Lindholm was truly dominant defensively with astounding xGA/60 and CA/60 metrics. Though he’s lost some of that dominance the past two seasons, he has still been quite good and is just 27 years old. Much like Rakell, Lindholm has an affordable contract at 5.205 million that expires in 2022. Asset protection is the name of the game. If he’s not in the plans, the Ducks will have an opportunity to trade Lindholm before next year’s deadline for substantial assets.
Josh Manson
Josh Manson was once very good and largely unheralded, but he’s been on the decline for at least the past three seasons. Manson’s 4.1 million dollar cap hit expires in 2022. The Duck’s decision to protect him won’t be one that indicates a long-term marriage. Though the advanced metrics suggest Manson is in decline at 29, the Ducks would be prudent to protect him for the assets he could get from a trade. Manson is a big, hard-nosed, right-shot defenseman. He’s the kind of player playoff teams overvalue and impulsively overpay for at the trade deadline.
Haydn Fleury
Haydn Fleury always had the pedigree, 7th overall in 2014, but never the opportunity on Carolina’s deep blueline. In his 12 games with Anaheim after his trade from Carolina, Fleury made a strong impression defensively. Hopefully a sign of more to come, Fleury had the second-best CA/60 and third-best xGA/60 for Ducks defensemen. Fleury is also signed through next season at an affordable 1.3 million and is RFA controlled in 2022.
Protection List: Goaltender
John Gibson: Gibson has had multiple years of proven individual success and is signed through his prime with a cap hit of just 6.4 million. When he is on his game, Gibson is an exceptional starting goaltender. His shortcomings this past season can be partly attributed to the poor Anaheim team in front of him. It’s easy to forget Gibson is just 27 years old.
Left Exposed
Due to the rebuilding nature of the Ducks, there aren’t many notable names being exposed that are still impact players. Ryan Getzlaf‘s rights are being left exposed, but he’s 36 and coming off his worst NHL season. Even if they take Getzlaf’s rights, Seattle won’t have a guarantee he signs with them before Free Agency. Adam Henrique provides some offence, but Seattle isn’t taking his contract. Kevin Shattenkirk has good underlying metrics, but his lack of points and concerns of decline may be enough to keep Seattle away. Brendan Guhle, Jacob Larsson, and Josh Mahura haven’t shown enough on the backend to get protected or drafted. Seattle’s decision could likely come down to forwards Sam Steel and Max Jones. Between the two, Seattle would choose Steel due to his greater offensive output and his position as a center.
Alternate Options
With the NHL’s cap remaining flat, cap space is at a premium. Although the Ducks aren’t being sunken by an Erik Karlsson/ Jeff Skinner contract, they still could benefit from Seattle’s financial flexibility. The Ducks clearly aren’t happy with Adam Henrique on their roster and perhaps they could incentivize Seattle to select him. Henrique’s contract and remaining term aren’t insignificant. Anaheim could offer a combination of draft picks and/or an affordable player like Rakell. With Anaheim not expected to be a contender this upcoming year, cap space isn’t of dire concern so this isn’t a deal they have to make if the price of cap space is exorbitant.
Looking Forward
Anaheim is in a relaxed position headed into the expansion draft. They aren’t at risk of making a wrong choice that will result in the loss of a significant player. At worst, Anaheim will lose out on a slightly effective depth forward or defenseman. The Ducks will be adding a 2021 third overall draft pick to their growing prospect system which will further help transition them out of the Getzlaf era. It is essential for Anaheim to protect players that could attain future assets at next year’s deadline. Anaheim’s modus operandi is to keep sight of the rebuild and to not do anything impulsive for short-term gain.
Advanced Stats and Cap Stats: Evolving Hockey and Cap Friendly
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