NHL Mock Expansion Draft: Protection Lists, Explanations, & More
By Ryan Ritchie
Arizona Coyotes
| Available | Age | 17/18 | Automatically Exempt |
| F Shane Doan | 40 | UFA | F Dylan Strome |
| F Jamie McGinn | 28 | $3.33M | F Lawson Crouse |
| F Martin Hanzal | 29 | UFA | F Max Domi |
| F Tobias Rieder | 23 | $2.25M | F Laurent Dauphin |
| F Brad Richardson | 31 | $2.083M | F Christian Dvorak |
| F Radim Vrbata | 35 | UFA | F Michael Bunting |
| F Ryan White | 28 | UFA | F Dakota Mermis |
| F Anthony Duclair | 21 | RFA | F Conor Garland |
| F Jordan Martinook | 24 | RFA | F Ryan MacInnis |
| F Craig Cunningham | 25 | RFA | F Christian Fischer |
| F Tyler Gaudet | 22 | RFA | F Brendan Perlini |
| F Chris Mueller | 30 | UFA | F Nick Merkley |
| F Garret Ross | 24 | RFA | F Lane Pederson |
| F Matia Marcantuoni | 22 | RFA | |
| F Henrik Samuelsson | 22 | RFA | D Jakob Chychrun |
| D Dysin Mayo | |||
| D Oliver Ekman-Larsson | 25 | $5.5M | D Kyle Wood |
| D Alex Goligoski (NMC) | 31 | $5.475M | D Anthony DeAngelo |
| D Connor Murphy | 23 | $3.85M | D Jalen Smereck |
| D Michael Stone | 26 | $4.0M | |
| D Luke Schenn | 26 | $1.25M | G Adin Hill |
| D Kevin Connauton | 26 | $1.0M | |
| D Zbynek Michalek | 33 | UFA | |
| D Jamie McBain | 28 | UFA | |
| D Jarred Tinordi | 23 | RFA | |
| D Justin Hache | 22 | RFA | |
| G Mike Smith | 34 | $5.66M | |
| G Louis Domingue | 24 | $1.05M | |
| G Justin Peters | 29 | UFA | |
| G Marek Langhamer | 21 | RFA |
Protection List Plus Two Alternative List Options
| Protection List | Alternative Protection List 1 | Alternative Protection List 2 |
| 4F – 4D – 1G | 4F – 4D – 1G | 7F – 3D – 1G |
| F Martin Hanzal | F Tobias Rieder | F Tobias Rieder |
| F Tobias Rieder | F Anthony Duclair | F Anthony Duclair |
| F Anthony Duclair | F Jordan Martinook | F Jamie McGinn |
| F Jamie McGinn | F Henrik Samuelsson | F Jordan Martinook |
| D Alex Goligoski (NMC) | D Alex Goligoski (NMC) | D Alex Goligoski (NMC) |
| D Oliver Ekman-Larsson | D Oliver Ekman-Larsson | D Oliver Ekman-Larsson |
| D Michael Stone | D Michael Stone | D Michael Stone |
| D Connor Murphy | D Connor Murphy | D Connor Murphy |
| G Louis Domingue | G Louis Domingue | G Louis Domingue |
Due to the relatively young age of the Coyotes forward group, many top players are automatically exempt. That’s good news for a team that needs to protect more than three defensemen.
Protection List:
We’re assuming Arizona seeks to retain Martin Hanzal long-term (due to become a UFA next summer). That leaves room for three more forwards. Tobias Rieder and Anthony Duclair are locks, but that fourth slot is wide open. We’ve gone with Jamie McGinn, but GM John Chayka might be inclined to protect Jordan Martinook or Henrik Samuelsson instead. Looking at the blue line/goaltending, those spots are virtual locks with the current occupants.
Alternative Protection List 1:
This is what the protection list might look like if the Yotes intend to let Hanzal walk in free agency, and would prefer to protect the younger quality pieces.
Alternative Protection List 2:
Very similar to our main protection list, suggesting this is what it may look like if Martinook’s hot play continues throughout 2016-17.