Multiple Teams Expected to Make Side Deals with Seattle Kraken

The expansion draft goes down July 21 and if you have been following along, we have brought you some content on who may be scooped up by the Seattle Kraken. There's also going to be a number of teams who make side deals to protect certain players. 

Teams Expected to Make Trades with Kraken

Tampa Bay Lightning: This is an easy target as the Lightning are well over the salary cap, which everyone is aware of. The back-to-back champs are likely to make a side deal, sending picks and prospects to the Kraken for the team to select Tyler Johnson and his $5 million contract the next three seasons. The Kraken would acquire a two-time Cup champion with a ton of playoff experience and someone who scored 72 goals the past four seasons. It also doesn't hurt Johnson is from Spokane, Washington. 

Colorado Avalanche: At the end of the day the Avalanche want to protect rugged defenseman Ryan Graves and are willing to pay a steep price to make it happen. The 26-year-old Graves is signed for two more seasons at $3.1 million and has blossomed into an integral piece for Colorado. They'd likely be willing to include two forwards in a trade to keep their coveted defenseman.

Nashville Predators: The Preds would love for the Kraken to select Ryan Johansen and perhaps they are willing to pay to make it happen. The 28-year-old has fallen off the map recently and has four seasons left on his contract, paying him $8 million per season. 

As we all saw with the Vegas Golden Knights expansion draft, expect lots of movements as these next few weeks will be fun to watch!

Photo credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports