Red Wings Expansion Draft Preview: Kraken Bait & Trade Scenarios

Simply put, the Detroit Red Wings have a lot on their plate right now. 

By the end of the month, they’ll have navigated the Seattle Kraken expansion draft, the 2021 NHL Draft, and the opening of free agency season. Steve Yzerman will certainly be a busy man.

But today, we’re going to focus solely on the expansion draft. After much anticipation, the Kraken finally get to select their team. In Detroit, Yzerman and the Red Wings are in good shape going into the expansion draft, more so now than when we began to project Detroit’s protected list back in January 2020.

• Red Wings Expansion Draft Projections 1.0
• Red Wings Expansion Draft Projections 2.0
• Red Wings Expansion Draft Projections 3.0
• Red Wings Expansion Draft Projections 4.0

So, with the expansion draft around the corner, let’s take a look at where the Red Wings stand with who they’ll protect, expose, and target as trade bait.

Evgeny Svechnikov and Richard Panik could be considered here as well. It’s possible one of the two is selected, but unlikely. Then again, no one expected the Vegas Golden Knights to choose Tomas Nosek over Petr Mrazek and Riley Sheahan.

Final Word

If the Kraken are debating between a third-line center and the second coming of Jakub Kindl, take that as a sign that the Red Wings are in good shape. Well, for the expansion draft at least – their lack of NHL depth is concerning.

But for now, rest easy knowing Yzerman and the Red Wings have the high ground when it comes to the expansion draft and salary cap management.