According to George Richards’ latest article it sounds like Frank Vatrano could be included in the deal with Driedger to Seattle.

From the article:

“Frank Seravalli, formerly of TSN and now with the Daily Faceoff, reported on his latest podcast that he heard Vatrano would be part of a side deal with Seattle.

Since Driedger would be a free agent starting at noon on July 28, if Seattle were to sign him before the expansion draft, he becomes the selection from the Panthers meaning Florida wouldn’t lose anyone else.”

Adding:

“Seattle, of course, wouldn’t just sign a player that it could get a week later on its own. The Kraken want something in return.

There could be a deal in the works where Seattle signs Driedger and, in return, the Panthers trade Vatrano to the Kraken (perhaps with a draft pick) for one of the players it selects from another team.”

Losing Vatrano with Driedger probably has some fans feeling like it’s a repeat of the Vegas expansion draft when both Marchessault and Smith headed to the Knights.

But as the article states, Vatrano will most likely be due a pay increase in 2022 that will be north of his current $2.5 M cap hit and with longer term.

If Vatarno is moved, the Cats could get a player from Seattle that’s on a cheaper deal, or give his spot to one of the young guns that can benefit from more time in the NHL. But if Florida is giving up Vatrano and a pick, I have to believe they want something in return.

It should be interesting to see what happens come tomorrow.

My question is this: If the Panthers agree to include Vatrano, do you think they can tell the Kraken who they want them to target from a different team as the player in return to Florida?

There’s some interesting possibilities there…

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Go Panthers!

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