Seattle Expansion: Protection List

[Coco-puffs]

With the news that Seattle has submitted their expansion application and knowing full well that the NHL wants to expand there, I think its very likely that it happens.  The NHL has already said that the expansion draft will follow the same format as last time.  While its still 2 years away, its interesting to see who the Leafs will likely be protecting barring any trades.  Note, my list assumes only RFA's are resigned and not UFA's (ie Gardiner doesn't need to be protected because he's already gone).

7 Forward (5 Locks based on their play TODAY):
Matthews
Marner
Nylander
Kadri
Kapanen
?
?

3 Defensemen Locks (based on their play TODAY and expectations for Liljegren):
Rielly
Dermott
Liljegren

1 Goalie:
Andersen

Potentially Exposed Forwards:
Hyman
Brown
Johnsson
Sosh
Leivo
Grundstrom
Brooks
Bracco

Potentially Exposed Defensemen
Zaitsev
Borgman
Rosen (I don't think he'll be in the org by that time)
Carrick (I don't think he'll be in the org by that time)

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

I think Liljegren will likely still be young enough/inexperienced enough to be automatically protected and there are a few guys in the same boat looking at your exposed forward list too.

It's extremely hard to project though, especially if we're talking of having the expansion draft in June 2020.

[Coco-puffs]

I think Liljegren will likely still be young enough/inexperienced enough to be automatically protected and there are a few guys in the same boat looking at your exposed forward list too.

You might be correct.  I forgot that his ELC can slide for 2 years if he plays less than 10 games in the NHL this year and next.

[sickbeast]

The NHL is coo-coo for Coco-puffs.  They should be expanding to Quebec.  I like a lot of what Gary Bettman has done, but losing the Quebec City franchise hurts.  Plus we could easily support another team in Southern Ontario.

[Rob]

The NHL is coo-coo for Coco-puffs.  They should be expanding to Quebec.  I like a lot of what Gary Bettman has done, but losing the Quebec City franchise hurts.  Plus we could easily support another team in Southern Ontario.

That's where the Sens will be moving to.

[LuncheonMeat]

The NHL is coo-coo for Coco-puffs.  They should be expanding to Quebec.  I like a lot of what Gary Bettman has done, but losing the Quebec City franchise hurts.  Plus we could easily support another team in Southern Ontario.

That's where the Sens will be moving to.

I've lived in Seattle for about 20 years now. When the Seattle Thunderbirds moved to the other side of the worst traffic in the city, I gave up my season tickets. The though of being near an NHL team again is exciting.

Perhaps the Leafs could expose Matthews for me.

[AvroArrow]

Perhaps the Leafs could expose Matthews for me.

Don't make us disown you.

[Highlander]

Perhaps the Leafs could expose Matthews for me.

Don't make us disown you.

You will be Hamburger Meat if you keep this up