Expansion Draft: Toronto Maple Leafs Losing Some Talent to Seattle

The Seattle Kraken have July 17 marked on their calendars.as the deadline looms for every team in the NHL to submit their protected list for the expansion draft. From there the fun begins and the Kraken will announce their roster on July 21. Today we examine a couple of players from the Toronto Maple Leafs who are likely on the Kraken's radar.

For educational purposes:

• Teams must submit their protected lists to the league by July 17
• Each team must submit a protected list of seven forwards, three defensemen, and one goalie OR eight skaters and one goalie
• Any player with a no-movement clause must be protected unless the player waives it
• Each team must expose two forwards, one defenseman, and one goalie who are under contract and played at least 40 games this past season or 70 combined games over the last two seasons
• Any player with a career-ending injury is exempt from selection
• All first- and second-year players, as well as unsigned draft picks, are exempt from selection

Maple Leafs Players to Watch:

Alexander Kerfoot: Kerfoot is a third-line center on the Leafs who could easily be a top-six forward in Seattle. He's behind some big names in Toronto so he's not going to make the list of protected players. There's also been reports about how protecting Justin Holl is a much better idea and that appears to be the case here.  The team is trying to move him out of town regardless if the Kraken select him or not. His $3.5 million could be used to help re-sign Zach Hyman or perhaps make a splash in free-agency. Last season Kerfoot recorded 23 points in 56 games and another six points in seven playoff games. 

Travis Dermott: Even though he just re-signed with the team for two years at $1.5 annually, Dermott is getting exposed to the Kraken. At 24 years old and as mobile as Dermott is, he's certainly someone who the management team in Seattle has been keeping an eye on. While he's yet to breakout in Toronto, Dermott is solid and can improve on his six points from last season. At this point it's 60% Kerfoot to 40% Dermott, on who ends up being selected.