The Seattle Kraken is the 32nd franchise in the NHL and has just gone through the expansion draft and now the NHL Draft as well. They may add some more players during free agency to continue to build their team. Based on their current roster, some bets could be given a spotlight for the 2021-22 NHL season.
First, let’s take a quick look at the roster among the notables.
Seattle Kraken 2021 Roster Preview
Forwards
The biggest question may be if Matthew Beniers goes to Michigan or plays in the NHL right away with Seattle. Matty, as he goes by, will discuss with Ron Francis (General Manager). Beniers would fill an immense need at center. There is a big difference in the level of play, but Seattle will not have the services of Yanni Gourde until late November at least (shoulder injury).
Some forwards might have to be moved around to the center position. Gourde played a career-high 17:04 last year for the Tampa Bay Lightning. After that, there is Jared McCann, but he will have to log more than 15 minutes of ice time a night. The Kraken also have as Calle Jarnkrok and Morgan Geekie as options.
Wingers are a little better for Seattle with Jordan Eberle and Joonas Donskoi among the notables who can produce a good deal of offense. Seattle will be a tough team to play against with players like Brandon Tanev and Nathan Bastian on the roster.
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Defensemen
This is where Seattle is deeper. Mark Giordano expects to be named the captain. The defenseman anchors a roster that includes stay-at-home defenders in Jamie Oleksiak and Adam Larsson. Vince Dunn figures to be a nice presence on the power play and will get more ice time than he ever did in St. Louis.
After that, there is potential in Carson Soucy, Jeremy Lauzon, and Haydn Fleury. Soucy has the most offensive upside of these three but possession metrics are a little rougher as expected with any fifth, sixth, and seventh defender, respectively.
Goaltending
Playing on an expansion team is never easy, but Seattle will likely invest in a veteran backup at some point to mentor Chris Driedger and Vitek Vanecek. Driedger expects to be the starter but keep in mind he only started in 23 games. Vanecek appeared in just 37. An expected platoon is quite likely to give goalies equal rest.
Driedger was excellent in Florida last year and could give Seattle a chance to win most nights. Vanecek flashed potential with the Washington Capitals. In the Pacific Division, that may translate to a few more wins as it projects to be one of the weaker divisions.
Seattle Kraken 2021 Bet Prediction
While no one recommends that Seattle will win the Stanley Cup (+5000), there are some other numbers to look at. Based on the current roster and the relative weakness of the Pacific Division, making the playoffs at +120 on DraftKings is worth looking into.
Other than the Vegas Golden Knights and Edmonton Oilers, every other team in the Pacific did not make the playoffs last season. The California teams likely will not make the playoffs this year either. So, there is an opening for Seattle here.
With the Pacific structured as it is now, the over 87.5 points at -115 is another bet to make. With goaltending and defense as strengths, Seattle could steal enough points past regulation to hit the over.
Our Picks:
Seattle Kraken Over 87.5 Points (-115)
Seattle Kraken To Make The Playoffs (+120)
