NHL Las Vegas: Mock Expansion Draft – Projected Roster
By Ryan Ritchie
NHL Las Vegas: Mock Expansion Draft (Preseason/Training Camp Edition)
NHL Las Vegas has come a long way since our first mock draft at the beginning of the summer. They’ve since hired a General Manager (George McPhee) and continue to fill out their front office with experienced individuals.
Owner Bill Foley recently told media that the league’s 31st franchise will announce their team name in a press conference sometime next month (October). The choices are apparently down to three trademarked names that will see NHL Las Vegas called the “(something) knights”. Those selections include Silver, Golden, and Desert Knights.
Once again, we turn to the NHL Expansion Tool on GeneralFanager.com. We’ve seen a bit of movement since our first release at the beginning of the summer and expect to see more as certain players meet their inevitable fate of being traded. Let’s remember, it’s still too early to make definitive judgments on particular selections, but these mock drafts are a great exercise to gauge the possibilities that might exist.
More from Puck Prose
- Detroit Red Wings 2023 Rookie Camp Has Plenty of Ups and Downs
- This Columbus Blue Jackets rookie doesn’t want to be forgotten
- 2 trades the Boston Bruins must make to secure the Stanley Cup
- 3 reasons the Avalanche won’t win the Stanley Cup in 2024
- This is a big year for Alex Turcotte and the Los Angeles Kings
NHL Las Vegas Expansion Rules:
– Las Vegas must select at least 14 forwards, 9 defense, 3 goalies
– One selection from all 30 teams
– Minimum 20 players under contract for 17/18 (RFAs considered under contract)
– Expansion club must spend between 60-100 percent of salary cap (min. 43.8 million dollars)
Mock Draft Notes:
– Avoiding Marc-Andre Fleury/Ben Bishop until we have a clearer answer on the pair’s future
– New York Rangers F Rick Nash runs the risk of being left unprotected (could be a top option for NHL Las Vegas if so).
– Anaheim Ducks D Cam Fowler was left unprotected, but not taken in our mock. Signs point to him being the odd man out in an eventual trade.
– If Tampa Bay keeps Ryan Callahan and Valtteri Filppula (both with no-movement clauses), they stand to leave the likes of Alex Killorn, Vladislav Namestnikov, and J.T. Brown available.
– Brodin was included in our mock this time around since it looks like Minnesota is prepared to lose a top four defender (likely Brodin or Marco Scandella).
NHL Las Vegas: Mock Expansion Draft (Preseason/Training Camp Edition)
(new additions can be identified in italics)
Forwards
Brad Richardson (Arizona Coyotes)
Andrej Nestrasil (Carolina Hurricanes)
Antoine Roussel (Dallas Stars)
Darren Helm (Detroit Red Wings)
Jordan Nolan (Los Angeles Kings)
Sven Andrighetto (Montreal Canadiens)
Calle Jarnkrok (Nashville Predators)
Josh Bailey (New York Islanders)
*Zack Smith (Ottawa Senators)
Matt Read (Philadelphia Flyers)
David Perron (St.Louis Blues)
Melker Karlsson (San Jose Sharks)
J.T. Brown (Tampa Bay Lightning)
Derek Dorsett (Vancouver Canucks)
*Drew Stafford (Winnipeg Jets)
Defenseman
Josh Manson (Anaheim Ducks)
Josh Gorges (Buffalo Sabres)
*Ladislav Smid (Calgary Flames)
Trevor van Riemsdyk (Chicago Blackhawks)
Jack Johnson (Columbus Blue Jackets)
Griffin Reinhart (Edmonton Oilers)
Alex Petrovic (Florida Panthers)
Jonas Brodin (Minnesota Wild)
Ben Lovejoy (New Jersey Devils)
Ian Cole (Pittsburgh Penguins)
Nate Schmidt (Washington Capitals)
Goaltenders
Malcolm Subban (Boston Bruins)
Semyon Varlamov (Colorado Avalanche)
Antti Raanta (New York Rangers)
Garret Sparks (Toronto Maple Leafs)
*2017 Unrestricted Free Agent (UFA)
Projected Team Cap Hit – $51,198,807
Projected Cap Space – $21,801,193
Total Salary – $54,075,000
Salary Cap Percentage – 70.14 percent
Contracted Players – 27
Next: Fantasy Hockey Q&A With Expert Cam Robinson
There’s obviously enough NHL quality talent to fill out a 23-man roster here. We can expect NHL Las Vegas to give themselves more than enough options to choose from. Anyone who doesn’t fit the opening night roster can simply be used as trade bait to help further stock futures (prospects or draft picks).