Instead, the Kraken assembled a roster that barely eclipsed the $48.9 million salary cap minimum.
Forwards Jordan Eberle should all be solid pieces.
The Golden Knights executed 10 side deals during the 2017 expansion draft, acquiring many of their eventual stars through that process, and the Kraken were reportedly asking sky-high prices in side-deal negotiations leading up to Wednesday.
Only three — Eberle, Gourde and Donskoi — ranked among the top 200 league-wide in scoring-chances-for rate.
Vanacek also handled starting duties for much of last season as a Capitals rookie and, along with Joey Daccord , provides solid depth.
The full Kraken team hasn’t been assembled yet, however, and it’d be shocking to see Francis not soon weaponize the generous cap space he worked so delicately to preserve Wednesday.
That selection will reveal more about his team-building mentality, too; with the Canes, four of his six first-round picks were defensemen.
The Kraken could also be big players in free agency next week — after all, three of their biggest splashes Wednesday were all pending unrestricted free agents.