Kraken expansion draft to be milestone for Seattle

SEATTLE (AP) – When the calendar turns to this time of year, there is usually a mixture of anger and resentment for sports fans in this corner of the country.

Not this year. Not with one of the biggest moments yet in the creation of the newest NHL franchise, which will take place on Wednesday night with the Seattle Kraken expansion draft, where the team will lay the groundwork for its first roster.

“I’m getting emotional, but it’s been three and a half years since fans made this big leap of faith,” said Seattle CEO Tod Leiweke. “And now it’s time for the payback.”

In a strange synergy of the calendar, the pandemic-induced changes to the NHL season landed the draft expansion at a time that brings back painful memories for sports fans in Seattle.

This week 15 years ago – July 18, 2006, to be precise – the NBA’s SuperSonics were sold to owners outside the region. A two-year battle ensued that eventually led to Seattle’s first professional sports team moving to Oklahoma City.

Seattle will finally get a winter sports replacement with the Kraken’s debut in October. Aside from being awarded the franchise in December 2018 and completing its home arena, the draft expansion is the biggest step for Seattle, filling the void of what was lost more than a decade ago.

“It’s really about the players and the fans, and tomorrow these two things come together,” said Leiweke. “It’s just powerful. Some fans have the feeling that it will be a long time coming. It took me three and a half years and it gave me a few gray hairs. But I think the fans will really like what they see. “

The octopus selection unveiling will be a typical Seattle event. It is broadcast from Gas Works Park on the north shore of Lake Union with scenic footage of the skyline in the background. Fans will be in the park, but the team has requested a fleet of fans gathering on boats, paddleboards, and kayaks on the water.

The NHL has recruited local sports stars to announce the selection, including a SuperSonics nod with Gary Payton, Shawn Kemp and Hall of Famer Lenny Wilkens.

Marshawn Lynch and Sue Bird are also there. The Kraken jersey is revealed for the first time.

And yes, a fish is thrown at Pike Place Market to reveal one of the selections.

“The goal here is to showcase Seattle and bring the team to not just the world’s hockey fans, but sports fans as well,” said Steve Mayer, NHL’s chief content officer. “It’s a cool moment.”

While the night will be full of pomp and circumstance, the team’s future ultimately depends on the decisions made by General Manager Ron Francis and the rest of the Kraken Front Office. The 669 players left unprotected for the expansion draft created ample opportunities for Seattle, from trying to match Vegas’ success from its inaugural season, to getting younger, cheaper, and evolving over the long term.

Seattle is required to host at least 14 strikers, nine defenders and three goalkeepers and spend at least $ 48 million of the $ 81.5 million on the salary cap.

The biggest decision could be made by the goalkeeper. Montreal’s Carey Price, fresh from a Sterling playoff run, is available but costs $ 10.5 million a year for five more seasons and questions about his health. Price would instantly be a face of the franchise with significant ties to the Pacific Northwest, but his salary success could limit Seattle’s maneuverability.

There are also big names like Vladimir Tarasenko, Gabriel Landeskog, Mark Giordano, Ryan Johansen, Max Domi, Tyler Johnson, and PK Subban, all of which are potential choices out there if Seattle is looking to add established veterans to its roster.

“I think there will certainly be some good players available,” said Francis. “If they’re selected here, hopefully we can get them to town and take the stage and they can become the early faces of our Seattle Kraken lineup and the fans will relate to them too.”

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