2021 NHL Expansion Draft: Projected Central Division Picks
Ahead of the 2021 NHL Expansion Draft on Wednesday, we’ll be going team-by-team for each division and drafting the projected future Seattle Kraken roster based off of the protected lists released on Sunday. The main strategy in the drafting process was to find young players on cheap, short-term contracts. UFA players were generally avoided and the picks were made with the expectation that about about a third of the roster will be flipped for entry draft picks and prospects.
The Central Division provided a lot of offensive upside. I took a bit of a gamble with a rare UFA selection, but I was also able to lock up a top-line centre, a couple of top-six wingers and some top-four defencemen. Of all the divisions, this had the most teams exposing multiple big name players.
Make sure to check out the early odds on next year’s Stanley Cup, the odds on which Canadian team will be the next Cup winner and NHL Entry Draft props.
Projected Central Division Picks
Arizona Coyotes – Christian Fischer, 24 (RW/LW)
Fischer is young, inexpensive (one year at $1.0 million) and big (6’2, 215). He’s a proven NHL player with almost 300 games of experience and moving out of Arizona should open up his offensive potential. With only one year left on his deal, he’s a low-risk gamble.
Chicago Blackhawks – Nikita Zadorov, 26 (LD/RD)
Zadorov hasn’t worked out in the one season he’s played in Chicago since being traded from Colorado. A physical, stay-at-home defenceman, his size (6’6, 235) is his best attribute. There’s still potential for him to develop further, but it looks like he’ll be a solid second or third pairing D-man.
Colorado Avalanche – Joonas Donskoi, 29 (RW)
Donskoi is averaging over half a point per game across the last two seasons and his $3.9 million cap hit looks like a good deal. He fits in perfectly as a second line winger and he can move up and down the lineup as needed.
Dallas Stars – Jamie Oleksiak, 28 (LD)
Oleksiak is the only UFA I gambled on with this roster because he’s worth it. Another bruising defenceman (6’7, 255), he’s physical and averaged over 20 minutes per night last season with 148 hits. There’s a little bit of offensive upside too as he had five goals in Dallas’ Stanley Cup Final run in 2020. He’s a top-four defenceman the Kraken shouldn’t pass up on.
Minnesota Wild – Kaapo Kahkonen, 24 (G)
Kahkonen is a great goalie-of-the-future candidate. He doesn’t need waivers and I’m projecting Seattle takes two NHL veterans to play with the big team, so there’s time to let Kahkonen develop in the minors.
Nashville Predators – Ryan Johansen, 28 (C)
A splurge on my part, Johansen is the most expensive forward I picked by far. At $8.0 million for each of the next four seasons, he’s a bit pricey, but if he can get his numbers to where they were earlier in his career, it’s worth it. He’s had a couple of down years, but a return to the Pacific Northwest for the Vancouver native and former Portland Winterhawk could revitalize his career. How many chances are you going to get to snag a young, top-line centre for free?
St. Louis Blues – Vince Dunn, 24 (LD/RD)
Dunn is already a top-four blueliner and Stanley Cup winner with a track record of success. He’s a smooth skater who continues to develop and can play in any situation.
Winnipeg Jets – Mason Appleton, 25 (RW/C)
Another bargain player, Appleton is young and chips in offensively with a contract under $1.0 million. Versatile, you can place Appleton anywhere in your lineup.
How the 2021 NHL Expansion Draft Works?
Seattle will draft one player from every team except for the Golden Knights. Vegas is exempt because of their own expansion agreement in 2017. At least 20 players need to be under contract for next season with a salary cap hit between $48.9 million and $81.5 million. They need to select a minimum of 14 forwards, nine defencemen and three goalies. The Kraken cannot buyout any players out until next summer. First and second years pro players as well as unsigned draft picks are exempt.
Projected Atlantic Division Picks and Analysis