NHL Mock Expansion Draft: Protection Lists, Explanations, & More
By Ryan Ritchie
Toronto Maple Leafs
| Available | Age | 17/18 | Automatically Exempt |
| F Joffrey Lupul | 33 | $5.25M | F Trevor Moore |
| F Nazem Kadri | 26 | $4.5M | F Auston Matthews |
| F Brooks Laich | 33 | UFA | F Zach Hyman |
| F James van Riemsdyk | 27 | $4.25M | F William Nylander |
| F Tyler Bozak | 30 | $4.2M | F Mitch Marner |
| F Milan Michalek | 31 | UFA | F Kasperi Kapanen |
| F Leo Komarov | 29 | $2.95M | F Frederik Gauthier |
| F Colin Greening | 30 | UFA | F Andreas Johnsson |
| F Matt Martin | 27 | $2.5M | F Nikita Soshnikov |
| F Peter Holland | 25 | RFA | F Tobias Lindberg |
| F Kerby Rychel | 22 | $863K | F Dmytro Timashov |
| F Connor Brown | 22 | RFA | |
| F Ben Smith | 28 | UFA | D Nikita Zaitsev |
| F Brendan Leipsic | 22 | RFA | D Travis Dermott |
| F Seth Griffith | 23 | RFA | D Rinat Valiev |
| F Josh Leivo | 23 | $613K | D Justin Holl |
| F Byron Froese | 25 | RFA | D Andrew Nielsen |
| D Morgan Rielly | 22 | $5.0M | G Kasimir Kaskisuo |
| D Jake Gardiner | 26 | $4.05M | |
| D Roman Polak | 30 | UFA | |
| D Martin Marincin | 24 | $1.25M | |
| D Connor Carrick | 22 | $750K | |
| D Viktor Loov | 23 | RFA | |
| D Frank Corrado | 23 | RFA | |
| D Andrew Campbell | 28 | UFA | |
| D Matt Hunwick | 31 | UFA | |
| G Frederik Andersen | 27 | $5.0M | |
| G Jhonas Enroth | 28 | UFA | |
| G Antoine Bibeau | 22 | RFA | |
| G Garret Sparks | 23 | RFA |
Protection List Plus Two Alternative List Options
| Protection List | Alternative Protection List 1 | Alternative Protection List 2 |
| 7F – 3D – 1G | 7F – 3D – 1G | 4F – 4D – 1G |
| F Nazem Kadri | F Nazem Kadri | F Nazem Kadri |
| F James van Riemsdyk | F James van Riemsdyk | F James van Riemsdyk |
| F Leo Komarov | F Leo Komarov | F Leo Komarov |
| F Connor Brown | F Connor Brown | F Connor Brown |
| F Matt Martin | F Josh Leivo | D Morgan Rielly |
| F Kerby Rychel | F Byron Froese | D Jake Gardiner |
| F Brendan Leipsic | F Brendan Leipsic | D Martin Marincin |
| D Morgan Rielly | D Morgan Rielly | D Connor Carrick |
| D Jake Gardiner | D Jake Gardiner | G Frederik Andersen |
| D Martin Marincin | D Connor Carrick | |
| G Frederik Andersen | G Frederik Andersen |
The Maple Leafs are one of those few teams that could use either protection scheme and have it make little difference to the quality of player left available. Given the fact there’s a handful of younger forwards who could have a future in Toronto, it makes sense to use the traditional 7-3-1.
Protection List:
In terms of locks for protections, goaltender Frederik Andersen, defenders Morgan Rielly and Jake Gardiner, and forwards Nazem Kadri, James van Riemsdyk, Leo Komarov are safe bets. You might even throw F Connor Brown’s name in there seeing as there’s little chance he’s left exposed. For those final three forward spots, we’re opting with AHL points leader Brendan Leipsic, tough guy Matt Martin, and prospect Kerby Rychel.
For that final spot on the blue line, I’ve selected Martin Marincin. Depending how the year plays out, Connor Carrick might be able to narrow the gap, perhaps even surpass Marincin.
Alternative Protection List 1:
Here’s what the list might look like if Toronto wants to protect a bit more of that youth they’ve worked hard to put together.
Alternative Protection List 2:
Now, there’s always a chance Lou and company could look at that list of forwards beyond their top four (Martin, Rychel, Leipsic, Froese, etc.) and say “we’d rather protect both Marincin and Carrick and let Vegas choose from a group of largely unknowns (aside from Martin).”
Let’s be honest anyways, given the lack of talent that will be available, goaltenders Antoine Bibeau and Garret Sparks could be prime targets.