We’re about a year away from the debut of the NHL’s 32nd franchise, the Seattle Kraken, which will begin its life with the 2021-22 season.
Before the Kraken ever hit the ice, they will have to put together a roster next summer. For the second time in five years the NHL will host an expansion draft, as former Canes general manager Ron Francis and Seattle will get to select a player from 30 of the 31 other teams (Vegas is exempt, having gone through the expansion process just a few years ago).
The rules for this expansion draft will be the same as they were in 2017, with teams having the ability to protect a list of players that Seattle can’t take.