If Price isn’t right for Kraken, Holtby could be
SEATTLE — Carey Price would be an instant cornerstone for the NHL’s newest franchise if the Seattle Kraken select the Montreal Canadiens goaltender in the expansion draft Wednesday night.
It is not a no-brainer decision, however.
Price’s questionable injury status clouds the selection process. The 34-year-old star has a knee injury. If it requires surgery, he could miss part of next season. He also has a contract that counts $10.5 million (U.S.) against the salary cap for five more years.
That uncertainty could be enough to keep Seattle away. Fortunately for the Kraken, there are goalies at all price and experience levels available.
The picks are due 10 a.m. Wednesday and will be unveiled that night. A projection of what Seattle might do when they make 30 picks and become the NHL’s 32nd team:
GOALTENDERS Braden Holtby, Canucks
He’s won the Vezina Trophy as the best goalie in the NHL. He’s won the Stanley Cup. He is coming off a dud of a season in Vancouver, but would be a natural pick for the Kraken.
Chris Driedger, Panthers
Driedger has been linked to Seattle for a long time. The 27year-old late bloomer who found his form with the Panthers is a pending free agent the Kraken can sign to a new contract.
Kaapo Kahkonen, Wild
When Minnesota protected starter Cam Talbot, it exposed Kahkoken, who’s a good developmental prospect at age 24.
DEFENCEMEN P.K. Subban, Devils
One of the faces of the franchise in Year 1 to the point his $9 million price tag is worth it. If it works out, Subban could be back on a long-term, more affordable deal.
Mark Giordano, Flames
He will be 38 before the start of next season, but the Flames captain is only three seasons removed from winning the Norris Trophy.
Shayne Gostisbehere, Flyers
Gostisbehere had 13 goals and 52 assists and averaged more than 21 minutes per game for the Flyers in 2017-18. The talent is there. Rediscovering it is the challenge.
Troy Stecher, Red Wings
Stecher grew up in the Vancouver area, played his first four seasons for the Canucks and showed promise before a dropoff last season with Detroit.
Haydn Fleury, Ducks
Fleury has never posted big numbers, but skated a careerhigh 20:39 a game last season for Anaheim.
Connor Clifton, Bruins
A nice value play at $1 million a year for two more seasons.
Will Borgen, Sabres
The 24-year-old is a restricted free agent and like a lot of Buffalo players could use a change of scenery.
Jake Bean, Hurricanes
Carolina’s first-round pick in 2016 showed potential in his first full NHL season and is still affordable on a new contract as a restricted free agent.
Mark Friedman, Penguins
Friedman was a waiver pickup by Pittsburgh last season and could be on his third NHL organization in the span of a few months.
Sami Niku, Jets
If Seattle goes cheaper elsewhere, this pick could be the more expensive Dylan DeMelo.
FORWARDS Vladimir Tarasenko, Blues
Tarasenko asked St. Louis for a trade, and Seattle could flip him elsewhere for draft picks, prospects and other roster players.
Jonathan Drouin, Canadiens
The No. 3 pick in 2013 could benefit from a fresh start outside Montreal and might be able to show off some elite talent if Kraken coach Dave Hakstol lets Drouin be creative.
Jordan Eberle, Islanders
Eberle has been a consistent performer for the Islanders, including 16 goals in each of the past two regular seasons. Eberle had four goals and seven assists during New York’s semifinal run.
Max Domi, Blue Jackets
A surprise to be left unprotected 10 months after Columbus acquired him, the 26-year-old centre is three seasons removed from putting up 28 goals and 72 points with Montreal.
Tyler Johnson, Lightning
The Kraken have made a point of connecting with the entire Pacific Northwest: Their first pre-season game will be played in Spokane, Wash., which is Johnson’s hometown. There is a potential side deal to be made with back-to-back champion Tampa Bay’s salary cap issues.
J.T. Compher, Avalanche
Yes, Gabriel Landeskog is enticing but at a price point that will be difficult to manage. Compher is two years younger and at least $2 million cheaper.
Jared McCann, Maple Leafs
McCann was just dealt from Pittsburgh to Toronto and immediately left unprotected to make Seattle pick between him and Alexander Kerfoot.
Brendan Lemieux, Kings
Seattle would be hoping Lemieux can rediscover his 201819 form when he had 12 goals in 63 games with the Rangers and Jets.
Nick Cousins, Predators
Cousins would be on his sixth NHL organization in as many seasons but had a solid rebound season with the Predators with 18 points in 52 games and can play centre and wing.
Dylan Gambrell, Sharks
Another local connection for the Kraken: Gambrell grew up in the suburbs southeast of Seattle. And he can be a third-line centre, too.
Christian Fischer, Coyotes
Fischer is a bargain if he can find his past form. Fischer had 15 goals and 33 points as a 20year-old in 2017-18 with Arizona but hasn’t come close to that production since.
Ryan Carpenter, Blackhawks
Carpenter knows how this whole expansion thing works: He was traded to Vegas during the Golden Knights’ inaugural season in 2017-18 and played in 17 playoff games on their run to
the final.
Devin Shore, Oilers
Shore had 34 goals in his first three full seasons combined, and just 10 in the past two seasons with Anaheim, Columbus and last year in Edmonton.
Tanner Kero, Stars
Kero became a full-time NHL player last season and would be ideal in a depth or taxi squad role.
Conor Sheary, Capitals
Washington left defencemen Justin Schultz and Brenden Dillon exposed, but Sheary is cheap at $1.5 million annually for two more seasons.
Colin Blackwell, Rangers
Still young. Very affordable. Had 22 points in 47 games. Makes perfect sense.
Clark Bishop, Senators
Ottawa is young and didn’t leave much unprotected, so this is a flyer on a 25-year-old under contract on a two-way deal who could keep developing in the American Hockey League.