NHL Las Vegas: Story Lines That Impact Expansion Draft
By Ryan Ritchie
NHL Las Vegas: Story Lines in 2016-17 That Directly Impact Expansion Draft Next Summer
NHL Las Vegas continues to search for a team name, and have done a great job constructing their front-office thus far. Former Capitals GM George McPhee has brought in both familiar faces that he has a history with (i.e. Wil Nichol and Dave Prior), and other respected figures in hockey world (i.e. Scott Luce and Misha Donskov).
We’re still a long distance away from next June’s expansion draft, but there should be no shortage of discussion between now and then over the potential options that could make NHL Las Vegas the most competitive expansion club from day one.
Today, we want to explore some of the most intriguing story lines to watch in 2016-17. These scenarios could have a direct impact on who is both available to Las Vegas, and who they may ultimately select.
NHL Las Vegas: Story Lines That Impact Expansion
Crowded Blue Line
Anaheim Defense
As it stands, the Ducks could afford to trade a top four defender to help make extra room for Shea Theodore. If a player such as Cam Fowler is dealt at some point, it could open up a new option for Las Vegas as Fowler occupies a protection slot otherwise reserved for someone else (depending where he is traded).
If Anaheim keeps the defense group together, tough decisions will need to be made. Kevin Bieksa must be protected due a no-movement clause, unless the Ducks ask him to waive it. Otherwise, GM Bob Murray could protect two of the remaining three (Hampus Lindholm, Sami Vatanen, and Cam Fowler).
Now, there’s always an outside chance that Anaheim could persuade Las Vegas to pass for a conditional pick. But if you were GM George McPhee, would you accept the roll of the dice with a draft pick or the sure thing in an established NHLer?
Minnesota Defense
Similar to the Ducks, Minnesota must look to trade a defenseman, or risk losing a player that can eat up top four minutes to Las Vegas. This group has worked well together over the past few seasons, but with five players capable of playing in a top four setting, it might be time to try something new.
The Wild don’t have a top prospect in waiting with Shea Theodore type potential, but they have numerous young quality defenders ready to step up. Mike Reilly, Gustav Olofsson, Christian Folin are just a few to name that could be ready for an expanded role.
There’s also a chance that Minnesota has accepted the fact they’ll lose a defenseman in expansion. In which case, they could keep the group together for one more season, and allow fate to intervene to see which of the two options Las Vegas chooses.
Nashville Defense
Keep an eye on Preds D Mattias Ekholm. With Nashville set to protect P.K. Subban, Roman Josi, and Ryan Ellis, it leaves Ekholm as arguably the top option on the blue line in expansion.
Will the Predators look to find a way to protect all four defenseman, or perhaps dangle Mattias Ekholm’s name on the trade market?
NY Islanders Defense
With GM Garth Snow set to protect Johnny Boychuk, Nick Leddy, and Travis Hamonic, that leaves a couple of quality d-men unprotected. Both Calvin de Haan and Thomas Hickey could be attractive options for Las Vegas next summer. That is unless New York finds a way to move someone over the course of 2016-17.
Given the strength of potential overall options to pick from, this might be scenario where the NYI can trade one and protect their fourth with a conditional pick.
Related Story: Las Vegas Mock Draft 1.0
Intriguing Goalie Situations
Malcolm Subban
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This is purely hypothetical, but what happens if Bruins prospect Malcolm Subban follows suit from other former AHL competition that had success at the NHL level in 2015-16?
If the worst should happen, and either Tuukka Rask or Anton Khudobin (not nearly as significant) gets injured, a door could open for the 24th overall pick from 2012.
Subban now has three years of AHL experience under his belt with Providence. In 2015-16, he went 14-8-5 with a 2.46 GAA and .911 save percentage before going down with a season-ending injury.
Colorado Goaltending
The Avalanche are in a tough position. They have a proven commodity in 28-year-old Semyon Varlamov signed for three more years at a $5.9 million dollar cap hit.
Then they have 24-year-old Calvin Pickard who emerged last season and looked impressive (he even represented Team Canada at the World Hockey Championships).
Do the Avs attempt to give Pickard the bulk workload to see if he has what it takes to be an NHL starter? Or, do they present him as a backup and nothing more, hoping to persuade Las Vegas to find a netminder elsewhere?
Jimmy Howard
He may have lost the starter role to Petr Mrazek in Detroit, but it doesn’t have to mean the 32-year-old’s career is over. He carries a $5.29 million dollar cap hit for three more years, and with a solid year of play challenging Mrazek, Jimmy Howard could throw his name in the hat to be Las Vegas’ new starter.
Next: NHL Mock Expansion Draft: Post-Draft/Free Agency Edition
Marc-Andre Fleury and Ben Bishop
Different teams, but virtually identical scenarios from the view of NHL expansion. It’s extremely unlikely that either Pittsburgh or Tampa Bay keeps their current tandem together up until expansion. In fact, both Fluery and Bishop could find new homes rather quickly depending on which teams stumble out of the gates to open the new season.
Similar to the Fowler situation, it will be interesting to see where these guys land, and who ultimately becomes available because of their addition.