You know what today is and you surely know what the stakes are: Seattle announces its Expansion Draft picks (they’re due to the league this morning, word may leak before the official made-for-TV announcement tonight).
Who the Kraken(s) select from the Islanders influences: 1) how much salary cap space the Isles have to play with in re-signing players and bidding on new ones, 2) what their prospect/asset pool looks like (especially if they end up sending sweeteners to steer Seattle away from anyone), and 3) what their immediate needs/lineup holes are.
If Josh Bailey or Jordan Eberle go out the door, that’s around $5 million in freed up cap but also a significant hole in a top-six wing slot.