NHL Expansion Draft: Developing storylines for each team
By Jeremy Tuch
Pacific Division
Anaheim Ducks – Josh Manson and Brandon Montour
You have to figure the Ducks are going to be protecting both Cam Fowler and Hampus Lindholm, taking up two of the three defenseman spots. If they want to keep both Manson and Montour, they’d have to expose a good bunch of forwards.
Figuring that some of their top young players are forwards, having seven forward spots is a must for Anaheim. That’d leave Manson or Montour exposed.
Arizona Coyotes – Which goalie to protect?
The Coyotes’ outlook in net took a very murky turn when Antti Raanta was lost for likely the remainder of the season. Raanta is a very dependable backstop, and is just 29 year old, meaning he still has prime years left in him. However, this opening may serve as a breakout for their top goalie prospect Adin Hill. If Hill plays well enough, the Coyotes may be forced to expose Raanta. Of course, if he loses a step after the injury, it’s all moot.
Calgary Flames – Oliver Kylington
The Flames look great for the near future, and some of their younger pieces are making impacts now. This includes defenseman Oliver Kylington. The trouble for Calgary is, he may end up a victim of the depth Calgary has on the blue line. Noah Hanifin is a lock, Juuso Valimaki is someone worth protecting, and figure one of TJ Brodie, Travis Hamonic or Michael Stone gets the other spot. The Flames will need to protect 7 forwards, so Kylington may end up the odd man out.
Edmonton Oilers – Jesse Puljujarvi
The Oilers have had so many high draft picks, the odds of one or two of them not working out so well becomes more likely. Nail Yakupov was a complete bust, and Taylor Hall turned into Adam Larsson, a solid defensive defenseman who didn’t win a league MVP last year. Many have been pointing to Jesse Puljujarvi as a similar bust, and the popular opinion is because the Oilers haven’t really given him a chance. If this continues, he may be left for Seattle in favor of all the other forwards the Oilers can boast.
Los Angeles Kings – Jonathan Quick
It may be jarring to consider exposing goaltender Jonathan Quick, but he’ll be 35 years old by the time the expansion draft rolls around. His contract status actually makes an enticing target for Seattle to look at, with a $5.8 million deal that expires in 2023.
Many of the Kings’ core players likely won’t be worth protecting if they’re still in LA come 2021, and it may be time for Jack Campbell or Cal Petersen to be given a look for the Kings. May as well, considering the dynasty seems all but over.
San Jose Sharks – Justin Braun and Brenden Dillon
This one is simple. The Sharks have Marc-Edouard Vlasic on an NMC, Brent Burns on a massive contract, and potentially Erik Karlsson on an equally long-term deal. There are your three defensemen to protect, exposing both Justin Braun and Brenden Dillon to the expansion draft. Burns may slow down by 2021, when he’ll be 36 years old, but with 4 more years on his deal after that, Seattle may not want to go for that contract.
Vancouver Canucks – Antoine Roussel or Jay Beagle
The Canucks are starting to turn things around now, with an exciting group of younger players on the rise. Bo Horvat, Brock Boeser, and Elias Pettersson are all a big part of the future, and will certainly be held on to. This may limit the other options Vancouver has in terms of protecting forwards, and having brought both Jay Beagle and Antoine Roussel in this past summer. With both players serving similar purposes, they may choose to expose them and hope to get out from one of those contracts.
Vegas Golden Knights – Lay in the weeds
You may have expected a big ol’ N/A here, considering that Vegas technically isn’t taking part. But who would know better than how to swindle teams at an expansion draft than the O.G.’s themselves? Vegas can get in on the action by potentially trading with teams who run into problems protecting players they want, while Vegas has no such worries. It’s a surprisingly good place to be in, and Vegas knows better than most how much leverage they will be holding here.