Updated 2022 Stanley Cup Odds Following NHL Expansion Draft – Kraken Listed at +5000 After Acquiring Giordano, Eberle and More

• The  2021 Seattle Expansion Draft took place on Wednesday, July 21st
• The Kraken selected Jordan Eberle and Mark Giordano, among others
• Read below to see how the Expansion Draft impacted the 2022 Stanley Cup odds

Updated 2022 Stanley Cup odds have been released following the conclusion of the 2021 NHL Expansion Draft. The Seattle Kraken drafted their roster Wednesday evening and will begin play in the 2021-22 NHL season.

The Kraken are listed at +5000 in the updated Cup odds after opening around the same price. The Calgary Flames and Carolina Hurricanes are among NHL teams who saw notable odds movement following the Expansion Draft.

We layout the updated 2022 Stanley Cup odds and Seattle’s full roster, plus provide betting advice.

2022 Stanley Cup Odds

Odds as of July 21st at DraftKings

Kraken Underwhelm in Expansion Draft 

Seattle’s 2022 Stanley Cup odds are listed at +5000 following an underwhelming 2021 Expansion Draft. The Kraken stayed away from big names like Carey Price and Vladimir Tarasenko, opting for a more cap-compliant roster. Among the Kraken’s top selections were forward Jordan Eberle and defenseman Mark Giordano.

Welcome to Seatown, @jeberle_7!

Time to get Kraken! pic.twitter.com/5oYxgRmJG7

— Seattle Kraken (@SeattleKraken) July 22, 2021

The Kraken don’t appear close to being Stanley Cup contenders on paper, but keep in mind nobody gave Vegas a chance after the 2017 Expansion Draft. The Golden Knights wound up with several undiscovered gems on their roster and reached the Stanley Cup Final in their inaugural season.

Below is the Seattle Kraken’s full roster:

Seattle Kraken Roster

The Kraken roster is notably absent of superstars and features several players with minimal-to-no NHL experience. While they may have trouble scoring goals, defense is a strong suit. Giordano and Adam Larsson lead a veteran defense core with plenty of experience. Haydn Fleury, Will Borgen and Cale Fleury are youngsters with promise.

Aside from the defense, goaltending is another positive for Seattle. Chris Driedger was fantastic for Florida in 2020-21 and is listed at +2500 in the 2022 Vezina Trophy odds. Vitek Vanecek, meanwhile, excelled in his rookie season with Washington and should provide a solid backup option behind Driedger.

Seattle in Weak Pacific Division

Seattle is in tough to make an inaugural run like Vegas did, but they do have things working in their favor. The Kraken will be playing in a weak Pacific Division that includes Anaheim, Calgary, Edmonton, Los Angeles, San Jose, Vancouver and Vegas. The Golden Knights and Oilers are the only teams not listed at +3000 or longer in the updated Cup odds.

Good morning to everyone…except you, @SeattleKraken.

— Anaheim Ducks (@AnaheimDucks) July 21, 2021

Instead of betting Seattle as a Stanley Cup longshot, consider betting them to make the playoffs in 2021-22. They have the defense and goaltending to take advantage of a weak division and qualify for the 16-team postseason. Eberle, Joonas Donskoi and Jared McCann can help fill the back of the net. Expect make/miss NHL playoff odds to be released closer to puck drop.

Other Notable Odds Movement 

Several NHL teams saw movement in their 2022 Stanley Cup odds following the Expansion Draft. The selections by Seattle had a ripple effect on the Cup odds as a whole. The Carolina Hurricanes and Montreal Canadiens both saw improvement in their odds after the Draft. This was due to Seattle not selecting Carolina’s Dougie Hamilton or Jake Bean and passing on the Habs’ Carey Price.

According to sources, the Kraken did NOT select Carey Price in the expansion draft. He remains property of the Montreal Canadiens@TSNHockey @TheAthletic

— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) July 21, 2021

The Nashville Predators also went from +5000 to +4000 despite losing forward Calle Jarnkrok. The Predators left Matt Duchene and Ryan Johansen exposed in the Expansion Draft, but the Kraken opted not to select one of Nashville’s top forwards.

Among the biggest fallers in the updated 2022 Cup odds were Calgary, Edmonton and Colorado. This isn’t too surprising when you consider the Oilers and Flames both lost a top defender. The Avalanche moved from +500 to +600 after losing Donskoi to the Kraken. Their adjusted price also revolves around UFA Gabriel Landeskog, who is yet to ink a new deal with the team.