Tampa Bay’s Yanni Gourde was perhaps the top choice in the news-poor expansion draft event. The 29-year-old has won the Stanley Cup two years in a row with Tampa Bay, and accounted for six goals and an assist in this year’s playoffs. New York Islanders striker Jordan Eberle is also a big name.
– I am very much looking forward to being part of this new team, I love the passion of the fans here, says Eberle in a video message on Twitter.
Experienced Calgaryback
From Colorado, Seattle selected experienced Joonas Donskoi, ahead of the team’s team captain Gabriel Landeskog. The 29-year-old Finn has played 399 games, and accounted for 78 goals and 108 assists during his NHL career.
However, he can be considered part of the young guard compared to Mark Giordano from Calgary, a 37-year-old team captain who played all 949 NHL games in his Calgary.
Hill Adam Larsson negotiated a four-year contract with Seattle and together with Nashville forward Calle Järnkrok is responsible for the Swedish representation in the club. Järnkrok accounted for 15 goals last season, most in Nashville together with Mikael Granlund.
Goalkeeper from Florida
Chris Driedger has the chance to play first goalkeeper, with the move from Florida where he played the second violin behind Sergei Bobrovsky. Driedger was present in Seattle to speak to the press, and describes the move as a great opportunity. There was some concern that Seattle would choose Montreal’s top goalkeeper Carey Price.
– Then it would have been a similar situation as the one in Florida. I thought about it, but then I said, “You know what, it does not matter. I will not worry about that. “I will play my way and do what I have to to be successful,” he told The Seattle Times.
It will be interesting to see if the brothers Hayden and Cale Fleury, from Anaheim and Montreal respectively, will possibly form a back pair. But none of them are to be considered as key players, and may also be replaced.
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