As the Seattle Kraken aim to rise in the NHL standings, examining the roster-building strategies of this year’s Stanley Cup semi-finalists offers valuable insights into how contending teams have been constructed. Each of the final four clubs—the Edmonton Oilers, Dallas Stars, Florida Panthers, and New York Rangers—has taken a distinct path to success.
From Edmonton’s draft-centric approach to Dallas’s drafting without tanking, Florida’s bold trading, and New York’s hybrid method, the Kraken have multiple models to consider. This article explores these different strategies, discussing how Seattle might integrate these lessons to construct a competitive and sustainable roster over the next few seasons. By analyzing what has worked and what hasn’t for these playoff teams, the Kraken can tailor their approach, leveraging the draft, trades, and free agency to build a team capable of making deep postseason runs.
Edmonton Oilers
Entry draft
It should be no surprise that this team’s identity has been built through the draft, particularly with Connor McDavid (No. 1 overall in 2015) and Leon Draisaitl (No. 3 overall in 2014) leading the way. These two players account for over 34 percent of the team’s points in the playoffs.
Another significant contributor this postseason is Evan Bouchard (No. 10 overall in 2018), who is third in goals on the team in the playoffs. Adding Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (No. 1 overall in 2011), Darnell Nurse (No. 7 overall in 2013), and Philip Broberg (No. 8 overall in 2019) gives the roster six top-10 drafted players. No other team in the conference finals has more than two top-10 drafted players on its roster.
Approach to the trade deadline
The Oilers were aggressive at the last two trade deadlines, parting with a first-round draft pick in a package for Adam Henrique this year. They went even harder last season, sending top prospect Reid Schaefer and a 2023 first-round pick to Nashville for Mattias Ekholm. While the Henrique trade might not have panned out, Ekholm has arguably been the best defensive defenseman over the last two playoff seasons for the Oilers.
Free agency
The Oilers made key signings in free agency with the additions of Zach Hyman in 2021 and Evander Kane midway through the 2021-22 season. Hyman currently leads the league in playoff goals with 13 through the May 30 games. We won’t mention the signing of goaltender Jack Campbell, who carries a cap hit of $5 million a year for the next two seasons. Oops… I guess we just did.
Kraken takeaway
The Oilers have leveraged every method possible to construct their roster, but at their core, this team was built through the draft. The Oilers have had nine top-10 draft picks since 2010. Only Buffalo has more top-10 first-round picks in the same timeframe, an approach the Kraken will not be replicating.
What stands out is that the biggest contributors from Edmonton’s drafted group were selected prior to 2019. Currently, the Kraken’s top two draft picks are Matty Beniers and Shane Wright, drafted in 2021 and 2022, respectively.
Dallas Stars
Entry draft
The Stars have the highest percentage of players acquired through the draft, despite having the fewest top-10 draft picks. Miro Heiskanen (No. 3 overall in 2017) is the only current player drafted by the Stars who was selected inside the top 10. Dallas has successfully built its team through the draft without resorting to tanking. The 2017 draft class, which included Heiskanen, Jake Oettinger, and Jason Robertson, forms the core of the team. Additionally, Wyatt Johnston and Logan Stankoven, both drafted in 2021, are making significant contributions this playoff season, with Johnston leading the Stars with nine goals.
Approach to the trade deadline
The Stars made a notable push at the trade deadline this year by acquiring Chris Tanev from the Calgary Flames for a second- and a conditional third-round pick. This addition was significant yet reasonably priced. They made similar moves at the 2023 trade deadline, acquiring Max Domi and Evgeni Dadonov at reasonable costs. Dadonov re-signed with the Stars, while Domi entered free agency. Overall, their approach to the trade deadline was modest.
Free agency
The most significant free agent signing for the Stars was Matt Duchene, brought in for one year at $3 million AAV after being bought out by Nashville earlier in the summer. This move provided needed depth scoring. A similar move in 2022 saw Mason Marchment signed for four years at $4.5 million AAV. While neither player has scored many goals in the playoffs, both have been noticeable and provided depth to the team. Duchene did score the deciding goal in double overtime of Game 6 in Round 2.
Kraken takeaway
While it would be a stretch to say the Kraken are on the same trajectory as the Dallas Stars, there are some similarities in their draft classes. It’s too early to definitively judge the Kraken’s draft classes, but there are signs of above-average performance in relation to their draft positions for several players. From the 2021 draft class, Ryker Evans (second round) is ahead of schedule, and Ryan Winterton (third round) is making significant progress and has already played NHL games. Additionally, the second-round draft picks from the 2022 and 2023 drafts have shown promising results, with most second-round picks having exceptional seasons since being drafted.
Florida Panthers
Entry draft
There is no denying the elite status of Aleksander Barkov (No. 2 overall in 2012) and his impact on this franchise, but he is only one of three players on this roster drafted by the Panthers. This approach contrasts with building through the draft. The other drafted players are Aaron Ekblad (No. 1 overall in 2014) and Anton Lundell (No. 12 overall in 2020).
Approach to the trade deadline
The Panthers did very little at this season’s trade deadline, adding depth forwards Vladimir Tarasenko and Kyle Okposo for a third-, seventh-, and conditional fourth-round pick. They made zero trades near the 2022 trade deadline window.
Other trades
Not to diminish the contributions of Barkov and Ekblad, but this team is truly built on a series of trades since 2021.
The first significant trade was acquiring Sam Bennett from Calgary at the 2021 trade deadline for a second-round pick. Bennett, who was an RFA that offseason, signed with Florida for four additional years. He is a player made for the playoffs and has been key to their success over the last two postseasons.
The second major trade was for another Sam, Sam Reinhart, later that year during the offseason. Reinhart cost the Panthers a first-round pick and a highly touted goalie prospect, Devon Levi. In this most recent season, Reinhart had 57 goals during the regular season and is second on the team in the playoffs with eight goals through 15 games.
Perhaps the most significant trade was acquiring Matthew Tkachuk in a blockbuster deal with the Calgary Flames in the 2022 offseason. Players like Tkachuk rarely become available, so when the opportunity arises, you seize it. (Side note: I wish I had a dollar for every time someone tells me the Kraken need a player like Matthew Tkachuk, as if players like him are regularly on the trade block.)
Free agency
The Panthers have taken a similar approach to the Stars in free agency, adding solid depth throughout the lineup with signings like Eetu Luostarinen, Evan Rodrigues, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, and Niko Mikkola, each carrying a cap hit between $2 million and $3 million a year.
We should also note the fortuitous additions of Carter Verhaeghe and Gustav Forsling. Verhaeghe was signed by Florida after the Tampa Bay Lightning chose not to qualify him during the 2020 offseason. He currently leads the team in goals this postseason. Forsling was claimed off waivers from the Carolina Hurricanes during the 2020-21 season, and he has turned into a brilliant player for the Panthers.
Kraken takeaway
Florida continues to prove that adding significant talent through trades is possible. The Kraken have built up a mini war chest of prospects and have extra second- and third-round picks in this year’s draft. While it won’t necessarily be easy, Florida has certainly shown that it is possible to add major contributors though trades.
New York Rangers
Entry draft
The Rangers have a typical number of players drafted and developed within their system, with 41 percent of the team being homegrown talent. They have two top-10 draft picks in Alexis Lafrenière and Kaapo Kakko. Lafrenière is finally reaching the potential people saw in him when he was drafted first overall in 2020. On the other hand, Kaapo Kakko has underperformed relative to his second overall pick in the 2019 draft.
The Rangers’ draft record has been somewhat hit or miss. Success stories include Igor Shesterkin (No. 118 overall in 2014), Filip Chytil (No. 21 overall in 2017), and K’Andre Miller (No. 22 overall in 2018). However, they have had significant misses with Lias Andersson (No. 7 overall in 2017) and Vitali Kravtsov (No. 9 overall in 2018).
Approach to the trade deadline
The Rangers’ biggest move during this trade deadline was the acquisition of Alexander Wennberg for a second- and fourth-round draft pick. They also added Chad Ruhwedel and Jack Roslovic, each costing a fourth-round pick. Last year, the Rangers moved two second-round picks and a third for Patrick Kane. Although Kane is a big name, the trade was relatively minor without a first-round pick or blue-chip prospect involved.
Other trades
You must look back into the 2019 offseason to identify the most impactful Ranger trades. First, they traded two second-round picks for the signing rights to Adam Fox, who won the Norris Trophy in 2021. Six weeks later, they traded away their 2019 first-round pick for Jacob Trouba. Both defensemen play significant roles, with Fox averaging the most ice time on the team in the playoffs.
Free agency
The only significant free agent acquisition over the last five years is Vincent Trocheck, who was signed in the summer of 2022. Going back a little further, in 2019, the Rangers made an important signing by acquiring Artemi Panarin, making a huge splash in free agency at a time when it wasn’t expected.
Kraken takeaway
The Rangers’ approach to roster construction feels the most replicable for the Kraken. It is a hybrid approach that combines drafting and developing talent without being bottom dwellers for several seasons. Except for Lafrenière, most of the drafted players were selected 19th overall or later.
New York has signed key free agents like Panarin and Trocheck without taking on overly burdensome contracts, giving them flexibility to retain their drafted players after their entry-level deals expire. Additionally, they made strategic trades to add long-term talent while avoiding an all-in approach at the trade deadlines over the past few seasons.
Down the Rangers’ path?
The Seattle Kraken have options and lessons to consider from analyzing these final four teams in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Edmonton Oilers illustrate how a team builds through high draft picks, while the Dallas Stars showcase the value of quality drafting without resorting to tanking. The Florida Panthers highlight the potential of transformative trades, and the New York Rangers demonstrate the benefits of a hybrid approach that balances drafting, trading, and selective free agency signings. The Kraken have started down the Rangers’ path with several quality drafts under their belt, a strategic trade for Oliver Bjorkstrand, and a handful of significant free agent signings like Adam Larsson and Andre Burakovsky, while still maintaining roster flexibility.
Let’s see if they continue down that path this summer and make any significant additions.
Great insight and interesting method of conceiving of how to build the roster from here forwards. I think the Oilers approach won’t work, as it takes not only being bad but being bad the right years. Instead of Draisaital and McDavid, the Kraken got Beniers and Wright, so being bad in the right year in important.
The Florida method requires an aggressive GM so that rules out the Kraken while Francis remains here. The New York method is also based on both trades and FA signings, which again requires both an aggressive GM and a highly desirable franchise to come to, again ruling out the Kraken.
The only method is to follow what Jim Nill has done recently in Dallas, by drafting really well and developing mostly non-top 10 picks and then signing the right free agents at the right time. He has made Dallas a desirable place for players to come to.
The trouble is, all of these methods require some combination of great insight in amateur drafting, making the franchise a highly desirable place to free agents, including those playing in the East to come to, and an aggressive GM with deep insight into pro players evaluation. While I think the Kraken may have the first factor in place, it also requires the right development of those picks and the jury is still out on that.
As to the other two factors, it would require Kraken ownership to give up on Francis and go hire one of the more proven aggressive GMs from another team and I just don’t see that happening. So we really have to put all our eggs into a single basket, hoping like crazy to hit lots of home runs through the amateur draft.
I do agree that the Rangers have been aggressive in trading, but their track record hasn’t been great. IMHO Fox and Trouba were the only ones that really worked out and coincidently, both were somewhat lucky being that both players wanted to play for the Rangers which made it somewhat easy. (Zibanejad happen too long ago for me to really consider it but that one was a huge win for the Rangers as well.)
I do like the Stars model but even their roster was built over 10+ years when you look at Seguin (trade) and Benn (draft). You could probably make a decent case that McCann & Bjorkstrand are good proxies for Benn and Seguin five years ago but would be hard to make a case that Shane or Matty could become Robertson and/or Hintz but that’s what would need to happen. Additionally, there is no one close to Heiskanen in the prospect pool right now. Maybe this is the year we add a prospect with potential to be an elite defenseman.
I do think it’s very likely Seattle gets one of the top-tier defensemen at No.8, meanwhile I think Dunn and Larsson still have a few years of runway to let that player develop.
Considering Hintz didn’t become a point-a-game player until age 24, I could still see Beniers filling that role. I also think it’s within the realm to see Wright becoming a player along the lines of Robertson. Around 30 goals and a point per game is what he put up this season.
Go Kraken!!!
Not only did Fox force his way to New York… so did Panarin. The Islanders actually offered him more, but he was determined to go to the Rangers. I feel like that’s a huge hole in emulating the “Rangers” model. The Rangers drafted and developed horribly, but because they could land Fox (their best defenseman) and Panarin (their best forward) by nature of being the “Rangers” they didn’t suffer the consequences as seriously.
I really like this exercise, but I feel like there are serious flaws in the comparisons, especially when it comes to the Rangers.
All free agents choose their destination, so I don’t think Panarin is any different than any free agent.
I think that’s point I was trying to make but often I don’t explain myself very well. Panarin is the same as any free agent… and I wonder why one of those “hard to find, hard to sign” free agents would choose Seattle? Without a Panarin, I’m not sure the Rangers roster adds up to a Stanley Cup contender.
I think as explored here, the Dallas “model” may not only be the closest version of what the Kraken are doing, it may also be the most accessible option they have.
I’ve read this article three times now and have really enjoyed it each time.
Thanks again John.
So Francis acquiring Bjorkstrand, Burakovsky and Larsson, as well as McCann signing a 5-year deal don’t count? Despite falling off this past season, the Kraken DID manage to go to game 7 against Dallas just two seasons ago to almost make the Western Conference final series. We were actually just a few points out from making the playoffs after the All Star break last season, but Hakstol was out of his depth.
Fantastic piece, John. Really enjoyed it and learned a lot.
Great article! Explains very well how there are different ways to “get there.” In fact, not any two teams (or any two players) do it the exact same way. Unfortunately, I think there will still be an endless supply of fledgling hockey fans who think 1) all your draft picks should score 20+ goals in the NHL, 2) you can build a really good hockey team with 19-22 year old players and 3) there are unlimited players like Matthew Tkachuk available, and if you were just smart, you could easily get them. 😄
Hockey is such a great sport – you can be as excited for what happens in the off season as you can be during the playing season. Great article! Can’t wait for the follow up. Also, considering starting a go-fund-me page to get myself to the NHL draft at the Sphere! On my birthday no less!