So, with all the hype around the Seattle Kraken I decided to create the Seattle Kraken in NHL 20 and use a genetic algorithm to determine the best team (according to NHL 20).

Requirements

1. Players only >= 80 overall
2. Team must be salary cap compliant, that is, both below the cap and above the floor
3. Line chemistry is ignored
4. Player age is weighted so that younger players receive bonuses for every year they are under 35. If they are 35 or over they receive no bonuses.
   1. weight = (35 – age) / 500
   2. Player value = Overall * (1 + weight)
   3. 80 overall player at 20 years old gets the value of 82.4
5. Fitness is based on how close to the cap without being over we can go with the highest overall rating
6. Only 100 generations

So the list of available players for the GA are as listed below:

Team	Player	Position	Rating	Age	Salary	Adj. Rating
ANA	A.Henrique	C	84	29	5.825	85.008
ANA	O.Kase	RW	82	23	2.6	83.968
ANA	D.Shore	C	80	24	2.3	81.76
ANA	R.Miller	G	81	38	1.125	81
ARI	A.Goligoski	D	82	33	5.475	82.328
ARI	J.Demers	D	82	31	3.94	82.656
ARI	D.Kuemper	G	83	29	1.85	83.996
ARI	C.Soderberg	C	81	33	4.75	81.324
ARI	M.Grabner	LW	81	31	3.35	81.648
ARI	V.Hinostroza	RW	80	25	1.5	81.6
BOS	J.Halak	G	83	34	2.75	83.166
BOS	T.Krug	D	86	28	5.25	87.204
BOS	C.Coyle	C	83	27	3.2	84.328
BOS	J.Moore	D	80	28	2.75	81.12
BOS	K.Miller	D	80	31	2.5	80.64
BUF	K.Okposo	RW	81	31	6	81.648
BUF	J.McCabe	D	81	25	2.85	82.62
BUF	C.Sheary	LW	81	27	3	82.296
BUF	Z.Bogosian	D	80	28	5.145	81.12
BUF	M.Scandella	D	80	29	4	80.96
BUF	J.Vesey	LW	80	26	2.275	81.44
BUF	C.Hutton	G	81	33	2.75	81.324
CGY	C.Talbot	G	81	31	2.75	81.648
CGY	M.Giordano	D	89	35	6.75	89
CGY	M.Backlund	C	84	30	5.35	84.84
CGY	T.Brodie	D	84	29	4.65	85.008
CGY	T.Hamonic	D	83	28	3.86	84.162
CGY	M.Frolik	RW	82	31	4.3	82.656
CAR	J.Faulk	D	84	27	4.835	85.344
CAR	J.Williams	RW	82	37	4.5	82
CAR	E.Haula	C	82	28	2.75	83.148
CAR	T.VanRiemsdyk	D	80	27	2.3	81.28
CAR	B.Pesce	D	80	24	4.025	81.76
CHI	E.Gustafsson	D	84	27	1.2	85.344
CHI	A.Shaw	RW	81	27	3.9	82.296
CHI	C.deHaan	D	81	28	4.55	82.134
CHI	Z.Smith	C	80	31	3.25	80.64
CHI	C.Murphy	D	80	26	3.85	81.44
COL	J.Donskoi	LW	81	27	3.9	82.296
COL	I.Cole	D	81	30	4.25	81.81
COL	C.Wilson	LW	80	29	2.6	80.96
COL	M.Calvert	RW	80	29	2.85	80.96
COL	S.Girard	D	80	21	5	82.24
CBJ	N.Foligno	RW	82	31	5.5	82.656
CBJ	D.Savard	D	82	28	4.25	83.148
CBJ	M.Nutivaara	D	81	25	2.7	82.62
CBJ	B.Jenner	LW	80	26	3.75	81.44
CBJ	O.Bjorkstrand	RW	80	24	5.85	81.76
DAL	A.Sekera	D	82	33	1.5	82.328
DAL	R.Faksa	C	81	25	2.2	82.62
DAL	J.Oleksiak	D	80	26	2.14	81.44
DAL	M.Janmark	LW	80	26	2.3	81.44
DET	M.Green	D	83	33	5.375	83.332
DET	F.Nielsen	C	80	35	5.25	80
DET	V.Filppula	C	80	35	3	80
DET	P.Nemeth	D	80	27	3.85	81.28
EDM	A.Larsson	D	83	26	4.165	84.494
EDM	M.Benning	D	80	25	1.9	81.6
FLA	M.Hoffman	LW	85	29	5.1	86.02
FLA	A.Stralman	D	83	32	5.41	83.498
FLA	B.Connoly	RW	80	27	3.415	81.28
LAK	T.Toffoli	RW	82	27	4.6	83.312
LAK	D.Brown	RW	81	34	5.875	81.162
LAK	D.Forbort	D	80	27	2.525	81.28
MIN	E.Staal	C	85	34	3.25	85.17
MIN	J.Spurgeon	D	84	29	5.19	85.008
MTL	P.Byron	LW	80	30	3.4	80.8
NSH	M.Granlund	C	86	27	5.75	87.376
NSH	C.Smith	RW	82	29	4.25	82.984
NJD	S.Vatanen	D	83	28	4.875	84.162
NJD	W.Simmonds	RW	82	30	5	82.82
NJD	T.Zajac	C	80	34	5.75	80.16
NYI	T.Hickey	D	82	30	2.5	82.82
NYI	B.Nelson	RW	82	27	6	83.312
NYI	J.Boychuk	D	81	35	6	81
NYI	A.Ladd	LW	80	33	5.5	80.32
NYI	L.Komarov	C	80	32	3	80.48
NYI	C.Cizikas	C	80	28	3.35	81.12
NYR	C.Kreider	LW	83	28	4.625	84.162
NYR	R.Strome	C	80	25	3.1	81.6
NYR	J.Fast	RW	80	27	1.85	81.28
NYR	V.Namestnikov	LW	80	26	4	81.44
NYR	T.DeAngelo	D	80	23	0.865	81.92
OTT	M.Boedker	RW	81	29	4	81.972
OTT	A.Duclair	RW	80	23	1.65	81.92
PHI	M.Niskanen	D	83	32	5.75	83.498
PHI	J.Braun	D	80	32	3.8	80.48
PIT	P.Hornqvist	RW	83	32	5.3	83.498
PIT	J.Schultz	D	83	28	5.5	84.162
PIT	B.Rust	C	80	27	3.5	81.28
SJS	B.Dillon	D	82	28	3.27	83.148
STL	A.Pietrangelo	D	89	29	6.5	90.068
STL	B.Schenn	C	86	27	5.125	87.376
STL	D.Perron	LW	84	31	4	84.672
STL	T.Bozak	C	82	33	5	82.328
STL	V.Dunn	D	82	22	0.725	84.132
STL	J.Bouwmeester	D	81	35	3.25	81
STL	A.Steen	LW	81	35	5.75	81
TBL	R.McDonagh	D	87	30	6.75	87.87
TBL	B.Coburn	D	81	34	1.7	81.162
TBL	C.Cirelli	C	80	21	0.73	82.24
TOR	T.Barrie	D	86	27	2.75	87.376
TOR	J.Muzzin	D	85	30	4	85.85
TOR	K.Kapanen	RW	82	22	3.2	84.132
TOR	Z.Hyman	RW	81	27	2.25	82.296
TOR	J.Spezza	C	80	36	0.7	80
TOR	A.Johnsson	LW	80	24	3.4	81.76
VAN	C.Tanev	D	83	29	4.45	83.996
VAN	T.Pearson	LW	80	26	3.75	81.44
WSH	R.Panik	RW	81	28	2.75	82.134
WSH	N.Jensen	D	80	28	2.5	81.12
WPG	M.Perreault	LW	80	31	4.125	80.64
CAR	J.Reimer	G	81	31	3.43	81.648
CHI	R.Lehner	G	86	27	5	87.376
DAL	A.Khudobin	G	83	33	2.5	83.332
DET	J.Howard	G	84	35	4	84
DET	J.Bernier	G	81	30	3	81.81
EDM	M.Smith	G	82	37	2	82
LAK	J.Cambell	G	80	27	0.7	81.28
MIN	A.Stalock	G	80	31	0.785	80.64
MTL	K.Kinkaid	G	82	29	1.75	82.984
NSH	J.Saros	G	81	24	1.5	82.782
NJD	C.Schneider	G	82	33	6	82.328
NYI	T.Greiss	G	83	33	3.335	83.332
NYR	A.Georgiev	G	81	23	0.795	82.944
OTT	C.Anderson	G	83	38	4.75	83
PIT	C.DeSmith	G	81	27	1.25	82.296
SJS	A.Dell	G	81	30	1.9	81.81
STL	J.Allen	G	81	28	4.35	82.134
TBL	M.Condon	G	80	29	2.4	80.96
TOR	M.Neuvirth	G	80	31	0.7	80.64
TOR	M.Hutchinson	G	80	29	0.7	80.96
VAN	J.Markstrom	G	85	29	3.365	86.02
WPG	L.Brossoit	G	81	26	1.225	82.458
WPG	E.Comrie	G	80	23	0.7	81.92

Mutation

I attempted several different mutations using the top two rated individuals in each generation. Swapping players from the same team in the DNA string, swapping multiple players from the same team in the DNA string and finally choosing a new random player for one specific team and multiple teams.

One Player Swap Mutation

Team	Position	Player	Rating	Age	Salary	Adj. Rating
ANA	C	D.Shore	80	24	2.3	81.76
ARI	LW	M.Grabner	81	31	3.35	81.648
BOS	C	C.Coyle	83	27	3.2	84.328
BUF	G	C.Hutton	81	33	2.75	81.324
CAR	D	T.VanRiemsdyk	80	27	2.3	81.28
CBJ	LW	B.Jenner	80	26	3.75	81.44
CGY	D	T.Hamonic	83	28	3.86	84.162
CHI	D	E.Gustafsson	84	27	1.2	85.344
COL	D	S.Girard	80	21	0.7	82.24
DAL	LW	M.Janmark	80	26	2.3	81.44
DET	G	J.Bernier	81	30	3	81.81
EDM	G	M.Smith	82	37	2	82
FLA	LW	M.Hoffman	85	29	5.1	86.02
LAK	G	J.Cambell	80	27	0.7	81.28
MIN	G	A.Stalock	80	31	0.785	80.64
MTL	G	K.Kinkaid	82	29	1.75	82.984
NJD	D	S.Vatanen	83	28	4.875	84.162
NSH	RW	C.Smith	82	29	4.25	82.984
NYI	D	T.Hickey	82	30	2.5	82.82
NYR	D	T.DeAngelo	80	23	0.865	81.92
OTT	RW	A.Duclair	80	23	1.65	81.92
PHI	D	M.Niskanen	83	32	5.75	83.498
PIT	G	C.DeSmith	81	27	1.25	82.296
SJS	D	B.Dillon	82	28	3.27	83.148
STL	LW	D.Perron	84	31	4	84.672
TBL	C	C.Cirelli	80	21	0.73	82.24
TOR	G	M.Hutchinson	80	29	0.7	80.96
VAN	LW	T.Pearson	80	26	3.75	81.44
WPG	LW	M.Perreault	80	31	4.125	80.64
WSH	RW	R.Panik	81	28	2.75	82.134
					Salary	79.51
					Overall	82.484

Two Player Swap Mutation

Team	Position	Player	Rating	Age	Salary	Adj. Rating
ANA	RW	O.Kase	82	23	2.6	83.968
ARI	LW	M.Grabner	81	31	3.35	81.648
BOS	D	J.Moore	80	28	2.75	81.12
BUF	D	Z.Bogosian	80	28	5.145	81.12
CAR	C	E.Haula	82	28	2.75	83.148
CBJ	D	D.Savard	82	28	4.25	83.148
CGY	RW	M.Frolik	82	31	4.3	82.656
CHI	D	E.Gustafsson	84	27	1.2	85.344
COL	D	S.Girard	80	21	0.7	82.24
DAL	D	A.Sekera	82	33	1.5	82.328
DET	C	V.Filppula	80	35	3	80
EDM	D	M.Benning	80	25	1.9	81.6
FLA	RW	B.Connoly	80	27	3.415	81.28
LAK	D	D.Forbort	80	27	2.525	81.28
MIN	C	E.Staal	85	34	3.25	85.17
MTL	G	K.Kinkaid	82	29	1.75	82.984
NJD	RW	W.Simmonds	82	30	5	82.82
NSH	G	J.Saros	81	24	1.5	82.782
NYI	G	T.Greiss	83	33	3.335	83.332
NYR	D	T.DeAngelo	80	23	0.865	81.92
OTT	RW	A.Duclair	80	23	1.65	81.92
PHI	D	J.Braun	80	32	3.8	80.48
PIT	G	C.DeSmith	81	27	1.25	82.296
SJS	D	B.Dillon	82	28	3.27	83.148
STL	G	J.Allen	81	28	4.35	82.134
TBL	C	C.Cirelli	80	21	0.73	82.24
TOR	C	J.Spezza	80	36	0.7	80
VAN	G	J.Markstrom	85	29	3.365	86.02
WPG	LW	M.Perreault	80	31	4.125	80.64
WSH	D	N.Jensen	80	28	2.5	81.12
					Salary	80.825
					Overall	82.33

Random Player Mutation (from same team)

Team	Position	Player	Rating	Age	Salary	Adj. Rating
ANA	RW	O.Kase	82	23	2.6	83.968
ARI	G	D.Kuemper	83	29	1.85	83.996
BOS	C	C.Coyle	83	27	3.2	84.328
BUF	D	J.McCabe	81	25	2.85	82.62
CAR	C	E.Haula	82	28	2.75	83.148
CBJ	D	D.Savard	82	28	4.25	83.148
CGY	C	M.Backlund	84	30	5.35	84.84
CHI	RW	A.Shaw	81	27	3.9	82.296
COL	LW	J.Donskoi	81	27	3.9	82.296
DAL	C	R.Faksa	81	25	2.2	82.62
DET	D	P.Nemeth	80	27	3.85	81.28
EDM	D	M.Benning	80	25	1.9	81.6
FLA	LW	M.Hoffman	85	29	5.1	86.02
LAK	G	J.Cambell	80	27	0.7	81.28
MIN	G	A.Stalock	80	31	0.785	80.64
MTL	LW	P.Byron	80	30	3.4	80.8
NJD	RW	W.Simmonds	82	30	5	82.82
NSH	G	J.Saros	81	24	1.5	82.782
NYI	D	T.Hickey	82	30	2.5	82.82
NYR	D	T.DeAngelo	80	23	0.865	81.92
OTT	RW	A.Duclair	80	23	1.65	81.92
PHI	D	J.Braun	80	32	3.8	80.48
PIT	G	C.DeSmith	81	27	1.25	82.296
SJS	D	B.Dillon	82	28	3.27	83.148
STL	D	V.Dunn	82	22	0.725	84.132
TBL	C	C.Cirelli	80	21	0.73	82.24
TOR	D	T.Barrie	86	27	2.75	87.376
VAN	D	C.Tanev	83	29	4.45	83.996
WPG	G	L.Brossoit	81	26	1.225	82.458
WSH	RW	R.Panik	81	28	2.75	82.134
					Salary	81.05
					Overall	82.847

Two Player Random Swap

Team	Position	Player	Rating	Age	Salary	Adj. Rating
ANA	RW	O.Kase	82	23	2.6	83.968
ARI	RW	V.Hinostroza	80	25	1.5	81.6
BOS	C	C.Coyle	83	27	3.2	84.328
BUF	LW	C.Sheary	81	27	3	82.296
CAR	C	E.Haula	82	28	2.75	83.148
CBJ	LW	B.Jenner	80	26	3.75	81.44
CGY	D	T.Brodie	84	29	4.65	85.008
CHI	D	E.Gustafsson	84	27	1.2	85.344
COL	D	S.Girard	80	21	0.7	82.24
DAL	LW	M.Janmark	80	26	2.3	81.44
DET	G	J.Howard	84	35	4	84
EDM	D	M.Benning	80	25	1.9	81.6
FLA	LW	M.Hoffman	85	29	5.1	86.02
LAK	G	J.Cambell	80	27	0.7	81.28
MIN	C	E.Staal	85	34	3.25	85.17
MTL	G	K.Kinkaid	82	29	1.75	82.984
NJD	D	S.Vatanen	83	28	4.875	84.162
NSH	RW	C.Smith	82	29	4.25	82.984
NYI	D	T.Hickey	82	30	2.5	82.82
NYR	G	A.Georgiev	81	23	0.795	82.944
OTT	RW	A.Duclair	80	23	1.65	81.92
PHI	D	J.Braun	80	32	3.8	80.48
PIT	C	B.Rust	80	27	3.5	81.28
SJS	D	B.Dillon	82	28	3.27	83.148
STL	LW	D.Perron	84	31	4	84.672
TBL	C	C.Cirelli	80	21	0.73	82.24
TOR	D	T.Barrie	86	27	2.75	87.376
VAN	G	J.Markstrom	85	29	3.365	86.02
WPG	G	E.Comrie	80	23	0.7	81.92
WSH	RW	R.Panik	81	28	2.75	82.134
					Salary	81.285
					Overall	83.199

Results

Using the two player random swap generated the best lineup with a salary cap of $81.285M and an overall team rating of 83.199.

Note that if you use any of these rosters the salary might be slightly off due to expiring contracts.