Riley’s Kraken picks
Forwards
Colorado: Joonas Donskoi
Donskoi has had his moments in the sun, specifically some large playoff performances during his time with the San Jose Sharks. Joining the Kraken would provide the 29-year-old the opportunity to attempt to recapture the glory days. The days that earned him his near-$4 million cap hit.
New Jersey: Andreas Johnsson
Leaving the Maple Leafs was a tough move for Johnsson, as he had chemistry with his linemates and has struggled since the departure. New linemates and a fresh start might be just what the doctor ordered for the Swede.
Nashville: Colton Sissons
Sissons, much like Donskoi, has been known to be somewhat of an unsung hero in his days in Nashville. Gritty, yet skilled, he could slot right in the lower half of the Kraken lineup and provide more talent and scoring than you may expect.
Vancouver: Jake Virtanen
Canadians may remember the absolute penalty-filled meltdown that was Virtanen’s trip to the World Juniors before he limped his way into the NHL. Not a good sell? Well, he’s another candidate for a change of pace, and still has the size and finish that made him the sixth overall pick back in 2014.
Buffalo: Cody Eakin
Eakin was… well – on the Buffalo Sabres – this past season. So, it’s not exactly surprising he struggled to fill the net or really do anything productive. However, he would be a great veteran leader in the dressing room and could still play a bottom-six role in Seattle.
Detroit: Vladislav Namestnikov
Lightning fans fondly remember Namestnikov’s speed and hands, but, not unlike Jonathan Drouin before he had to step away from hockey, it has rarely translated into consistent play for Namestnikov. That being said, his upside is huge, and his cap hit just a cool $2 million.
Washington: Conor Sheary
Sheary is a player who, surprisingly, played better on a line with Sidney Crosby. However, his upside is still real even without Geno Malkin or ‘Sid The Kid’ by his side. He put up 22 points in 53 games last season. Not bad for a 29-year-old who has Cup-winning pedigree.
N.Y. Islanders: Richard Panik
The journeyman himself, Panik, could very well be packing his bags once more for Seattle. He moves often, so finding chemistry is always a task, but that will be the case for all members of the Kraken. He still has size and finish, and would bring a wealth of experience to what has the makings of a young Seattle squad.
Edmonton: Kyle Turris
How many times do you have to hear a change of scenery in this article? Turris’s best days are day behind him, but with just one more year on his deal at $1.65 million, perhaps he rediscovers some of his game in Seattle?
St. Louis: Kyle Clifford
Your typical blue-collar forward, Clifford would bring Seattle some grit. The 30-year-old is durable and tough, and has amassed 64 playoff games in his lengthy career.
Anaheim: Alexander Volkov
The $925,000 cap-hit speaks for itself on this one. A bargain player who Lightning fans saw has some serious potential, Volkov could bring his eager attitude to Seattle and have his first lengthy stay with an NHL team.
Minnesota: Nick Bjugstad
While he has had his injury problems, Bjugstad has been a really solid player for a really long time and isn’t too expensive. The experience he brings is invaluable, and he can score, too.
San Jose: Matt Nieto
Nieto has been a Shark for five of his nine years in the NHL, including his last two seasons. His experience, again, would be valuable to the NHL’s newest team, as he has been a serviceable bottom-six forward for almost a decade.
Boston: Curtis Lazar
Lazar has struggled to get off the ground in his first nine seasons, with 20 points being his maximum output in 76 games back in 2015-16. However, he showed potential in junior and was rotting away in Buffalo two of the last three years, so maybe a new home would be just right for him.
Toronto: Jason Spezza
Only $750,000 is pennies for a player who had a resurgence in Toronto last season. He is a grizzled grey-beard, but a solid finisher and a man who is a class act and wise beyond his years in the dressing room.
Carolina: Morgan Geekie
Geekie is a young up-and-comer that the Canes just couldn’t afford to protect. He would be a solid bargain piece with a high ceiling.
Tampa Bay: Mathieu Joseph
Joseph could be a perfect candidate to break out with a bigger role in the Pacific Northwest. He made some excellent plays in a wicked playoffs for the Bolts. If he continues his development on this path, he could be a serious steal for the Kraken.
DEFENSEMEN
N.Y. Rangers: Anthony DeAngelo
DeAngelo, despite his issues off the ice, could turn his career around in Seattle. His shot and movement is improving rapidly, thus his slightly sizable cap hit. He’s still young, so he has time to make up for lost time and start a new chapter on the Kraken.
Chicago: Calvin De Haan
The 30-year-old De Haan is a solid middle-pairing defenseman and penalty-killing piece that would be a legitimate addition to Seattle.
Los Angeles: Olli Maatta
Maatta has had his injury problems but is a solid defensive player if he can stay healthy. Like De Haan, he brings a penalty-killing presence and solid skating. His best years may be behind him, but if they aren’t, he’s a great value piece.
Columbus: Dean Kukan
Kukin has been one of the bright spots of a Columbus team that has lost major pieces over the last few seasons. Slotting in at not even a $2 million price tag, the Kraken would be wise to take a hard look at him.
Philadelphia: Robert Haag
With almost an identical cap hit as Kukan, Haag is just 26 years old and has solid years ahead of him. On a Philly team that was average last season, he has been a bright spot on their blue line and would have time to develop as Seattle does likewise as a franchise.
Dallas: Andrej Sekera
Sekera is the veteran the Kraken can get at a low price. At 35, he could make the most of his twilight years mentoring a young, developing blue line.
Arizona: Ilya Lyubushkin
Lyubushkin, unlike Sekera, is fairly fresh-faced, but also seasoned. At 27, he’s had some good seasons of late, and will most likely have more. Seattle would be lucky for him to do while wearing their jersey.
Winnipeg: Nathan Beaulieu
Bealieau, admittedly, is a risk, but possibly one Seattle should be willing to take. He’s been in and out of lineups for parts of his career. It’s time he cements his role on a blueline and plays the way he’s capable of.
Pittsburgh: Chad Ruhwedel
Just into his 30’s, Ruwhedel has some time left to grow. For the miniscule amount of pennies it would take to get him on their back-end, he’s a proposal worth looking into.
GOALTENDERS
Montreal: Carey Price
Ah, yes. The big fish in the sea. Price could have LTIR benefits if injuries are a long-term issue. Setting aside his health issues, you’ve got a goaltender a season removed from the performance of a lifetime, and a class act capable of leading a locker room.
Ottawa: Matt Murray
Murray is a guy who has proven he can win Stanley Cups. He’s also a guy who is capable of looking more than pedestrian. The perfect guy to keep waiting in the weeds if injury strikes, who can start if need be, if at his best. Also a possible trade chip.
Florida: Chris Driedger
Rumored to be a Kraken for some time now, Driedger has been an in-and-out starter for the Panthers. When he’s on, he’s on, so a reduced role may re-up his career in the Emerald City.
Calgary: Louis Domingue
Bolts fans are well-aware of the fact that Domingue can roll when he’s hot, as he once set a franchise-record for consecutive wins when Andrei Vasilevskiy was out of the lineup. He would be one of a solid crop of tenders in Seattle, and he’s quite the chef, for what it’s worth.
Total cap hit, per CapFriendly: $66.9 million
