Chris:
I believe Seattle will select Richard Panik. He is 30 years old with 10 NHL seasons under his belt. Panik also has two years remaining on his current deal with Detroit with a cap hit of $2.75 million. Panik can play either wing and can also play in a variety of roles up and down the lineup.
Nate:
I’m between Stecher and Namestnikov, but I’m leaning Stecher in this. Good defensemen are tough to find, and Stecher provided stability all season long for Detroit and was arguably Yzerman’s best offseason signing. Again, his performance at the World Championships not only helped Gerard Gallant land a gig with New York, but also showcased just how underrated–and good– he is.
I would much rather see Stecher in the Winged Wheel and signed to an extension. But if Yzerman is indeed playing the long game and chooses this route, I expect to see Seattle taking him.
Alex:
Although Svechnikov and Lindstrom are both younger, I think Namestnikov will be selected by Seattle. He has a variety of experience; a season down the middle for a Stanley Cup Champion (Tampa Bay) and another for a team in the midst of a re-build. He’s on a relatively cheap contract and he’ll be a safe option to center lower lines on a good team. Svechnikov might be a bit too risky for the organization and Lindstrom has the low floor of Namestnikov without all the experience.
Final Thoughts
Next Wednesday, the Seattle Kraken will have 30 new players on their roster. The Detroit Red Wings will lose one player that should not really impact the re-build. At this point in the offseason, Detroit’s biggest problem is trying to find roster spots for prospects. It’s nice to have a plethora of draft picks, but at some point these players need to develop into NHL regulars. The Expansion Draft should open up a spot for one of the highly touted prospects in the organization.