Seattle Kraken: Top 3 potential team captains they could pick
Who will get the first crack at being the first captain of the Seattle Kraken? Here are three potential options.
The Seattle Kraken will get their inaugural NHL season underway in roughly a year. Next year, they’ll have their expansion draft, the first one in the NHL since the Vegas Golden Knights joined the league in 2017. Much like the Golden Knights’ expansion draft, the rules will significantly benefit the Kraken and help them field a competitive team right off the bat.
One thing they’ll have to decide after forming their roster is who will be their first team captain. This isn’t a decision the Kraken need to rush, as the Golden Knights have still not named their first team captain in franchise history, though they will reportedly name one before the start of the 2020-21 season.
However, having a captain right off the bat is something that could benefit the Kraken. Most of the captain’s value comes off the ice, as they’re expected to be the leader of the franchise. Often times, the captain serves as the face of the franchise as well.
On the ice, the captain is the only player allowed to talk to the referees about rule interpretations. If they’re not on the ice, an alternate captain is allowed to speak. Naming a captain right away could help the Kraken create their own team culture. It would be symbolic and it would give them credibility.
Also, it’s worth pointing out that no team has ever won the Stanley Cup without a team captain. Granted, this is largely because most teams elect to have one, but it’s undeniable having a captain tends to be synonymous with winning.
Here are three potential captains they could pick in the expansion draft, ranging from the long shots to ones that make a lot more sense.
The Longshot: Brent Burns
The San Jose Sharks are going to have some difficult decisions to make as the expansion draft approaches. They are only allowed to protect up to three defensemen and eight forwards, or four defensemen and four forwards. Erik Karlsson and Marc-Edouard Vlasic each have no-movement clauses, so unless they are willing to waive those clauses, they must be protected.
Furthermore, the Sharks are dedicating quite a bit of money to their defense. Between Brent Burns, Vlasic, and Karlsson, they’re dedicating over $30 million of cap space to their blueline through the 2024-25 season. If the Sharks decide to rebuild, they’re going to need to cut that down a bit. Burns is the most logical option.
Picking Burns would be a risky move for the Kraken. Yes, he has a Norris Trophy, awarded annually to the best defenseman, and has been a finalist on two other occasions. Burns is one of the most gifted offensive defensemen in the league and few can do the damage that he can do with the puck. However, he’s already 35 years old and his contract runs until he turns 40 years old.
There’s also the issue of his cap hit. Burns has an $8 million annual cap hit, which takes up a shade under 10% of the salary cap, which is expected to remain stagnant for several seasons. That’s a lot to invest in someone whose best years are probably behind him.
So why should the Kraken take Burns? Because the Sharks might be willing to offer additional assets for them to do it. The Kraken have the luxury of having a blank slate. If they’re smart, they’re going to use that to their advantage by being willing to take on a bad deal or two in exchange for draft picks and prospects. The Sharks are a team the Kraken should consider taking advantage of.’
Ryan Getzlaf of the Anaheim Ducks is another longshot option. He likely won’t be exposed in the expansion draft, but crazier things have happened.
The More Reasonable Option: Tyler Johnson
Drafting Burns is a bit of a longshot for the Kraken. It’s far more likely the Kraken will decide to pillage a team like the Tampa Bay Lightning, who will be desperate to get rid of one of their many long-term deals.
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The Lightning will likely protect four defensemen, which would pretty much force the Kraken to take the pick of the litter of their many forwards with expensive deals. Those forwards include Alex Killorn, Ondrej Palat, Yanni Gourde, and Tyler Johnson. Johnson is the most logical pick for several reasons.
First, Johnson’s a center. If you look at what Vegas did, they made sure they had options down the middle. Having center depth is crucial for success in the modern NHL. Johnson’s a quality center. The same can’t be said for the rest of Tampa’s forwards I mentioned.
Secondly, Johnson’s from Spokane, Washington. How awesome would it be for the Kraken to pick a play from Washington and have him help build the team culture? Johnson’s someone who has always enjoyed being a part of the communities that he has lived in. Having someone like him is important for a team trying to build its brand in Seattle.
Thirdly, much like Burns, the Lightning would probably be willing to give the Kraken additional assets to ensure they take Johnson. Seattle would be wise to threaten to take a younger, cheaper forward and force Tampa to have to persuade them to take one of their expensive forwards.
The Obvious Choice: T.J. Oshie
T.J. Oshie, just like Johnson, is from Washington. He has a bit more star power and experience than Johnson as well. Oshie is best known for his infamous performance against Russia during the 2014 Winter Olympics, during which Oshie led Team USA to a win over Russia in a shootout.
Oshie propelled that moment into a successful NHL career. He’s consistently been among the best forwards in the league. Oshie helped the Washington Capitals win the Stanley Cup in 2018. He’s not only a very skilled forward, he’s also an extremely hard worker and has outstanding character, which is something you want from a captain.
Though Oshie has never served as a captain in the NHL, he has served as an alternate captain for several years. His voice is one that is highly respected in the Capitals locker room and around the league.
So why would the Capitals possibly let the Kraken get him? Well, it’s because Oshie’s contract is a bit long and the stagnant salary cap will likely force the Caps to move out a big contract. That contract could be Oshie’s.
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There would be a bit of risk in picking Oshie. He has a history of concussions and his relentless style of play leads to injuries. But his style of play is exactly what the Kraken should want out of their players. They’ll have good players, but they won’t have enough skill to win based solely on skill. You need to have guys who play like Oshie. Oshie would be the perfect first captain for the Kraken. It’s a role he’d thrive in.