It’s hard to know who the Toronto Maple Leafs want the Seattle Kraken to take during the expansion draft coming up in three-days time. Will it be Alexander Kerfoot or will it be newly-acquired Jared McCann (from the Pittsburgh Penguins)? Obviously, there are a number of other players the Kraken might choose from the Maple Leafs’ list of unprotected players, but really one of these two players is likely not going to be on Toronto’s roster next season.
Who the Maple Leafs Protected, and Who They Exposed
The Maple Leafs were one of the few teams who chose to protect eight skaters and a goalie instead of seven forwards, three defensemen, and a goalie. The list of protected players included – as one might expect – forwards Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, John Tavares, William Nylander. It also included defensemen Morgan Rielly, T.J. Brodie, Jake Muzzin, and Justin Holl. Last, goalie Jack Campbell was protected. (from “Kerfoot, McCann, Dermott among Maple Leafs unprotected for Seattle expansion draft,” Terry Koshan, Toronto Sun, 18/08/21).
The following Maple Leafs’ players were exempt from the draft: forwards Ilya Mikheyev and Nick Robertson, defensemen Rasmus Sandin and Timothy Liljegren, and recently-signed goalie Joseph Woll.
That means that the following players can be taken by the Kraken: forwards Alex Kerfoot, Jared McCann, Pierre Engvall, Jason Spezza, Wayne Simmonds, Adam Brooks, Joey Anderson, and Nic Petan. The Kraken can also choose, if they wish, defenseman Travis Dermott and goaltender Michael Hutchinson. But really, looking at that list it’s probably between Kerfoot or McCann.
And the rumors have been that the Kraken wanted to choose both. Maple Leafs’ general manager Kyle Dubas squished that chance by bringing in McCann prior to the draft.
Jonas Siegel Says No Side Deal Likely with Kraken
Instead of trying to protect one or the other of Kerfoot or the newly-acquired McCann, both were left off the list and will be available to the Kraken. Most Maple Leafs’ fans I’ve spoken with believe that the organization’s general manager Kyle Dubas has a deal in place with his counterpart general manager Ron Francis because the Kraken had to seek permission to interview former Maple Leafs assistant coach Dave Hakstol. Hakstol was hired as the Kraken’s first head coach in the new franchise’s history.
However, Siegel reported that he didn’t believe Toronto had such a side deal in place with because the expansion team’s asking prices were exceedingly high. Siegel did note that this could change prior to any announcements on Wednesday. Siegel once believed that it was likely Kerfoot was going to be the selection Seattle would make; however, he noted that now the team could decide to choose McCann, who’s younger and $500,000 cheaper against the salary cap.
McCann Started as Insurance for Kerfoot, Now He’s Become an Option
The Athletic‘s Siegel believes that the Maple Leafs traded for McCann Saturday as insurance if Seattle picked Kerfoot. It probably was a wise more either way for Dubas and the organization. Should Kerfoot be chosen, the Maple Leafs have his salary cap to increase their own space. If McCann is chosen instead of Kerfoot, Toronto loses no one from last season’s roster. (from “Why the Leafs exposed Alex Kerfoot and Jared McCann to Seattle in the expansion draft,” Jonas Siegel, The Athletic, 18/07/21).
Right now, it looks as if Dubas played the situation well. However, we will see in three days.
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