Our first look at a Canadian team in the Expansion Draft series. The Vancouver Canucks are looking to take advantage of what they surely believe is a Stanley Cup window. They have some key RFA’s to resign as well, including Quinn Hughes and Elias Pettersson. Here are the rules for July 21st when the Seattle Kraken will select their inaugural roster:

• Each team can protect up to seven forwards, three defensemen, and one goaltender, or nine players regardless of position.
• All players with no-movement clauses must be protected unless they’ve agreed to waive.
• Any player with two or fewer years of NHL/AHL experience is exempt.
• Teams must expose players who meet certain criteria. There must be at least one defensemen and two forwards who are under contract for 2021-22 and played at least 40 NHL games in 2020-21 or 70 NHL games total since the start of 2019-20. Teams must also expose a goaltender who is either under contract for the 2021-22 season or about to enter restricted free agency.

Forwards

Brock Boeser – The 24 year-old American will be looking to build on his 0.83 points per game in his career. His first 30 goal season would an important part in getting the franchise back into the playoffs in 2021.

Bo Horvat – A great leader on and off the ice for the Canucks organization. He did see a career high 14.5% shooting percentage this past season, something to keep an eye on for 2021.

J.T Miller – The 28 year-old was an electric player for the Canucks in 2019 and at most times in 2020. The Canucks are the ones laughing now after the trade that many scoffed at with the Lightning.

Elias Pettersson – After an injury riddled campaign the contract negotiations between Elias and the Canucks could be looking at shorter term. If I’m the Canucks I’m not sure I want to let Pettersson bet on himself and earn himself a massive pay day.

Tanner Pearson – Signed to an extension before the trade deadline so i can’t see him going anywhere at this point. A solid middle six option.

Tyler Motte – The gritty bottom six forward has been heavily relied on in penalty kill and defensive zone situations. He has routinely seen over 70% of his faceoffs in the defensive zone. Motte is the type of player that a playoff team desperately needs.

Matthew Highmore – This last spot goes to Highmore as in his 18 appearances with the Canucks he played over 15 minutes per night, it seems as though Travis Green can trust Highmore in his bottom six more than he can Zack MacEwen who has playing just 8 minutes a night in games he dressed for.

Defensemen

Tyler Myers – The $6 million cap hit for the next 3 seasons isn’t looking too pretty at the moment, the 31 year-old seems to have lost a step since his arrival in Vancouver. But he is a more than serviceable NHL’er who can still contribute. Unless Hamonic is resigned before the Expansion Draft Myers seems to be safe.

Nate Schmidt – His first season in western Canada wasn’t exactly a roaring success, he recorded half the amount of points he had in the previous 2 seasons with nearly the same amount of games. I don’t put too much into +/- but we should consider that this was his first minus season since 2014.

Olli Juolevi – It will be Juolevi’s second full season in 2021, the 5th overall pick has dealt with plenty of injury adversity in his career. He was in a sheltered third pairing role last season and I expect the Canucks to keep him in town to see if he can build on some positives.

Goalies

Thatcher Demko – The former BC Eagle is the goaltender of both the present and future of this oganization. He had a .915 save percentage for a team that dealt with major COVID issues and really never hit their stride.

Who’s available to Seattle

Forwards – Zack MacEwen, Loui Eriksson, Jay Beagle, Antoine Roussel, Kole Lind, Jake Virtanen, Michael Ferland

Defensemen – Madison Bowey

Goalies – Braden Holtby