Expansion Draft: New York Islanders Could Be Losing Fan Favorite to Seattle

The Seattle Kraken have July 17 marked on their calendars.as the deadline looms for every team in the NHL to submit their protected list for the expansion draft. From there the fun begins and the Kraken will announce their roster on July 21. Let's take a peek on Long Island to see which Islanders players could be available for Seattle.

For educational purposes:

• Teams must submit their protected lists to the league by July 17
• Each team must submit a protected list of seven forwards, three defensemen, and one goalie OR eight skaters and one goalie
• Any player with a no-movement clause must be protected unless the player waives it
• Each team must expose two forwards, one defenseman, and one goalie who are under contract and played at least 40 games this past season or 70 combined games over the last two seasons
• Any player with a career-ending injury is exempt from selection
• All first- and second-year players, as well as unsigned draft picks, are exempt from selection

Isles' Players to Watch:

Nick Leddy: The mobile defenseman is currently on the trade block as the Islanders don't want to lose him for nothing. Last season the 30-year-old recorded 31 points in 56 games and has consistently put up solid offensive numbers from the blue line. With only one year left at $5 million, he's the perfect target for the Kraken.

Cal Clutterbuck: The Kraken will need an identity and if they want to add someone who works harder than anyone else, they select Clutterbuck. He knows what he is, a third-line grinder who needs to come in hard on the forecheck. He's a veteran at 33, but with only one year left on his deal as well, it's a low-risk high-reward type of addition for Seattle. Clutterbuck scored four goals in 50 games during the regular season in 2020-21 and then went on to score four more in 19 playoff games. The Kraken would hope he can carry the momentum forward into next season.

Photo credit:   Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports