Expansion Draft: 2 Players of Interest From the Calgary Flames

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. There's going to be some tough decisions across the league, including who to select from the Calgary Flames. 

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

Players to Watch:

Mark Giordano: All signs point to the Flames exposing their captain and the Kraken could pounce all over this. At 37, and with only one-year remaining on his contract, paying him $6.75 million, 'Gio' could be used as a mentor in Seattle and someone the team can cut ties with pretty easily. Some feel the Kraken will select him just to move him this summer. If the Flames protect their captain, one of Rasmus Andersson, Noah Hanifin, or Chris Tanev will be left exposed. You can bet your bottom dollar Seattle would love to see this.

Oliver Kylington: The Flames appear poised to lose a defenseman, it just depends which one general manager Brad Treliving feels like departing with. Kylington is still young at 24 years old and the former second-round pick is likely going to cost the Kraken less than $1 million on their cap. If Seattle wants some young defensemen to build around, they should consider this pick.