Expansion Draft: Vancouver Canucks Likely Losing Big Name to Seattle Kraken

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. This episode we look to Seattle's closest competition, their new rival, the Vancouver Canucks.

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

Canucks Players to Watch:

Braden Holtby: The Stanley Cup winning goaltender is very likely on his way to Seattle as the Kraken should have interest adding someone with Holtby's pedigree to their roster. At 31 years old and with only one season left on his contract, it's the perfect pick for the Kraken who can walk away if things don't go well in 2021-22. His one season in Vancouver did not go well, and Holtby would likely be interested in hitting the reset button on the other side of the border.

Antoine Roussel: At $3 million it's not the best contract in the league but the Kraken are going to have to add money eventually. Roussel is a hard-nosed forward who loves to get in your face and try and knock you off your game. The Kraken will need to establish an identity with their bottom-six group and he would help bring some sandpaper. However, it's likely Holtby being selected, so Roussel can put away the luggage.