Larsson got a $16 million, four-year deal and Oleksiak got $23 million over five years. A few seem locks to stay, like Adam Larsson and Jamie Oleksiak, both unrestricted free agents who signed long-term deals with Seattle. “What they were looking to do is get us to take bad money or bad contracts in order to leave somebody exposed and for us we think (cap space) was the most valuable thing asset we had right now, especially in potentially a flat cap environment for a year or two.”ĭefense was clearly a priority for Seattle, whether to build its own depth or for the opportunity to flip players for other options. This time, they weren’t willing to do that because GMs learned,” Seattle general manager Ron Francis said. “Last time around (with Vegas), teams were paying a price to stay away from guys.
Vegas announced 10 trades during its expansion draft Seattle, zero. The side deals and trades that Vegas fleeced the league with four years ago were absent this time around. Of the 30 players selected, Seattle committed only $54 million of a possible $81.5 million, not including a few restricted free agents who will push the number closer to $60 million should they stay. It was clear that flexibility with the salary cap was one of Seattle’s biggest priorities in setting its first roster. “It proves you’re true hockey fans,” Bettman said to the group on the water, leading to chants of “Gary, Gary, Gary!” There were giant inflatable octopuses, makeshift Stanley Cups and when Gary Bettman appeared next to the shore, he was soundly booed as all commissioners are. And there was an assembly line of Seattle sports celebrities taking part, from Sue Bird to Marshawn Lynch.įans on all types of aquatic devices - paddleboards, kayaks and all sizes of boats - created a flotilla traffic jam on Lake Union. Another came written on a fish thrown in the city’s legendary Pike Place Market. One pick was announced by an octopus from the Seattle Aquarium. It was still a celebratory night to introduce the nucleus of a team that will make its debut at Vegas in a matchup of the league’s two newest teams in mid-October and play its first home game on Oct. It’s awesome.”Īny unknowns about Seattle’s selections evaporated when all 30 names leaked hours before the team announced its selections on the shore of Lake Union. “All the boats on the lake behind us, the scene on the other side of the stage.
“I envisioned this a lot of different ways and this is unbelievable,” Seattle coach Dave Hakstol said. SEATTLE (AP) - What the expansion draft of the Seattle Kraken lacked in drama it made up for with quirks, production and a giant party to celebrate one of the biggest steps in the launch of the NHL’s newest team.
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