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NHL Expansion Draft: Metropolitan Division Post-Deadline Outlook

By Ryan Ritchie

Mar 8, 2017; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Chad Ruhwedel (2) celebrates his goal with teammates during the third period against the Winnipeg Jets at MTS Centre. Pittsburgh Penguins win 7-4. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 8, 2017; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Chad Ruhwedel (2) celebrates his goal with teammates during the third period against the Winnipeg Jets at MTS Centre. Pittsburgh Penguins win 7-4. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 13, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets center Brandon Dubinsky (17) celebrates his goal with defenseman Seth Jones (3) and left wing Brandon Saad (20) against the Philadelphia Flyers during the third period at Wells Fargo Center. The Blue Jackets defeated the Flyers, 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 13, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets center Brandon Dubinsky (17) celebrates his goal with defenseman Seth Jones (3) and left wing Brandon Saad (20) against the Philadelphia Flyers during the third period at Wells Fargo Center. The Blue Jackets defeated the Flyers, 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /

Columbus Blue Jackets

(7-3-1 Protection List)

Forwards: Brandon Dubinsky (NMC), Nick Foligno (NMC), Scott Hartnell (NMC), Brandon Saad, Cam Atkinson, Boone Jenner, Alexander Wennberg
Defense: Seth Jones, David Savard, Ryan Murray
Goalie: Sergei Bobrovsky

Notable Players Exposed: F Matt Calvert, F Lauri Korpikoski (UFA), F William Karlsson, F Josh Anderson (RFA), Sam Gagner (UFA), F Lukas Sedlak (RFA), D Jack Johnson, D Kyle Quincey (UFA), G Joonas Korpisalo (RFA), G Anton Forsberg (RFA)

Candidate to be Protected via Trade (conditional pick, prospect, player): F William Karlsson, F Josh Anderson, F Lukas Sedlak, D Jack Johnson

Poor Jarmo Kekalainen is in tough with the expansion draft. In fact, very few GMs face so many difficult decisions. In the end, the Blue Jackets stand to lose a quality player one way or another.

Feb 25, 2017; Columbus, OH, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets left wing Scott Hartnell (43) has his stick taped for “Hockey is for Everyone” night during warmups prior to the game against the New York Islanders at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 25, 2017; Columbus, OH, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets left wing Scott Hartnell (43) has his stick taped for “Hockey is for Everyone” night during warmups prior to the game against the New York Islanders at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

One major X-Factor will be veteran forward Scott Hartnell. He carries a no-move clause, and many suspected he might be dealt ahead of the trade deadline. There’s a chance that Columbus could ask him to waive the NMC, citing that it’s unlikely George McPhee will have any interest in an aging player that carries a significant cap hit. But for now, it looks as though the Blue Jackets will have no choice but to protect him. It’s a tough blow when it leaves guys like William Karlsson, Josh Anderson, and Lukas Sedlak on the outside looking in.

The blue line is where things get real interesting. With no way of using the 4-4-1 protection scheme, Columbus finds themselves immersed in a debate. Although to me, it’s not all that difficult. Seth Jones, Ryan Murray, and David Savard are clearly the top three defenders needing protection on this team. It’s not a knock on Jack Johnson, who is a quality blueliner, but if you look at the combined stats since he entered the league full-time in 2007-08, no player has a worse plus/minus than Jack at -103. Couple that with the emergence of Zach Werenski in 2016-17, Johnson is pretty much expendable.

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