NHL Mock Expansion Draft: Protection Lists, Explanations, & More
By Ryan Ritchie
Boston Bruins
| Available | Age | 17/18 | Automatically Exempt |
| F David Krejci (NMC) | 30 | $7.25M | F Danton Heinen |
| F Patrice Bergeron (NMC) | 31 | $6.875M | F Noel Acciari |
| F David Backes (NMC) | 32 | $6.0M | F Peter Cehlarik |
| F Brad Marchand | 28 | $6.125M | F Colton Hargrove |
| F Matt Beleskey | 28 | $3.8M | F Austin Czarnik |
| F Jimmy Hayes | 26 | $2.3M | F Sean Kuraly |
| F Ryan Spooner | 24 | RFA | F Justin Hickman |
| F David Pastrnak | 20 | RFA | F Anton Blidh |
| F Riley Nash | 27 | $900K | F Colby Cave |
| F Dominic Moore | 35 | UFA | F Jake DeBrusk |
| F Tim Schaller | 25 | RFA | F Zachary Senyshyn |
| F Tyler Randell | 25 | RFA | F Frank Vatrano |
| F Zac Rinaldo | 25 | UFA | |
| F Brian Ferlin | 24 | RFA | D Rob O’Gara |
| D Matt Grzelcyk | |||
| D Zdeno Chara (NMC) | 39 | $4.0M | D Jeremy Lauzon |
| D Torey Krug | 25 | $5.25M | D Brandon Carlo |
| D Adam McQuaid | 30 | $2.75M | D Jakub Zboril |
| D Kevan Miller | 28 | $2.5M | |
| D John-Michael Liles | 35 | UFA | G Zane McIntyre |
| D Colin Miller | 23 | $1.0M | G Daniel Vladar |
| D Joe Morrow | 23 | RFA | |
| D Alex Grant | 27 | UFA | |
| D Tommy Cross | 26 | UFA | |
| D Chris Castro | 24 | RFA | |
| D Linus Arnesson | 21 | RFA | |
| G Tuukka Rask (NMC) | 29 | $7.0M | |
| G Anton Khudobin | 30 | $1.2M | |
| G Malcolm Subban | 22 | RFA |
Protection List Plus Two Alternative List Options
| Protection List | Alternative Protection List 1 | Alternative Protection List 2 |
| 7F – 3D – 1G | 7F – 3D – 1G | 7F – 3D – 1G |
| F David Krejci (NMC) | F David Krejci (NMC) | F David Krejci (NMC) |
| F Patrice Bergeron (NMC) | F Patrice Bergeron (NMC) | F Patrice Bergeron (NMC) |
| F David Backes (NMC) | F David Backes (NMC) | F David Backes (NMC) |
| F Brad Marchand | F Brad Marchand | F Brad Marchand |
| F David Pastrnak | F David Pastrnak | F David Pastrnak |
| F Ryan Spooner | F Ryan Spooner | F Ryan Spooner |
| F Jimmy Hayes | F Matt Beleskey | F Tim Schaller |
| D Zdeno Chara (NMC) | D Zdeno Chara (NMC) | D Zdeno Chara (NMC) |
| D Torey Krug | D Torey Krug | D Torey Krug |
| D Colin Miller | D Colin Miller | D Colin Miller |
| G Tuukka Rask (NMC) | G Tuukka Rask (NMC) | G Tuukka Rask (NMC) |
In case anyone had any thought of protecting four defensemen, it’s absolutely unnecessary and there’s just too many forwards to protect. With that being the case, this is one of those rare scenarios with three protection lists using the same scheme. There are only a couple of spots up for grabs/debate anyways.
Protection List:
The main list was pretty straightforward I felt. The only real spot for good debate is that 7th forward slot. I’ve chosen to protect the younger, cheaper cap hit in Jimmy Hayes, forcing Las Vegas to absorb Matt Beleskey’s $3.8 million dollar cap hit if they choose to take a forward from the Bruins.
Alternative Protection List 1:
Virtually identical to the main list. This is for those that may prefer to protect Beleskey in hopes of luring George McPhee to bite on Jimmy Hayes.
Alternative Protection List 2:
If GM Don Sweeney wants to keep Vegas away from guys like Kevan Miller and Adam McQuaid, he could use that 7th slot to protect a prospect, we’ve chosen Tim Schaller. You only go this route if you’re comfortable losing a decent forward in order to protect an already depleted blue line.