This is the Sound Of Hockey’s fourth and final installment of our updated projections for the Seattle Kraken Expansion Draft. Here are links to the prior articles: Scotia North Division, Honda West Division, MassMutual East Division.
Carolina
Hurricanes Protected List
Watchlist
No changes from the original post here – Andy
Chicago
Blackhawks Protected List
Watchlist
We had previously projected Collin Delia as the protected netminder in the Windy City, but Kevin Lankinen has taken control of the crease there. He is 6-2-0 in 11 games with great stats, while Delia has been abysmal in his few opportunities. Malcolm Subban has also had some playing time, but Lankinen is clearly the guy. Connor Murphy is playing a slightly larger role on the blueline than Nikita Zadorov, though both are in the lineup every night (Murphy just got injured but would otherwise be playing). Our latest bet is on Murphy being the one protected in Chicago. Getting Brent Seabrook to waive his no-movement clause would allow general manager Stan Bowman to protect both. – Darren (original post here)
Columbus
Blue Jackets Protected List
Watchlist
Trading for two forwards (Patrik Laine and Jack Roslovic) in the deal that sent Pierre-Luc Dubois to Winnipeg means speedy forward Eric Robinson drops from Columbus’ expected protected list — although it’s really unclear if he’s more interesting than defensemen Gabriel Carlsson or Dean Kukan. Cliff Pu and Kole Sherwood are removed because it’s hard to see the Blue Jackets selecting either over Robinson or Kevin Stenlund, who are both seeing regular NHL time for Columbus. – Josh (original post here)
JACK ROSLOVIC (@JRoslovic96), HOW DO YOU DO⁉️ pic.twitter.com/hWmIerfksB
— NHL (@NHL) February 9, 2021
Dallas
Stars Protected List
Watchlist
No changes from the original post here. – Andy
Detroit
Red Wings Protected List
Watchlist
No changes from the original post here. – Andy
Florida
Panthers Protected List
Watchlist
No changes from the original post here. – Andy
Nashville
Predators Protected List
Watchlist
The Predators have been a major disappointment this year with no end in sight. I expect them to be major sellers at the trade deadline to start the rebuild process.
If the roster stays relatively consistent, though, I project Nashville to go with the four forwards, four defensemen, one goalie strategy. The biggest reason behind this change from before is the need for the Predators to clear cap space by daring Seattle to select Matt Duchene or former Portland Winterhawk Ryan Johansen. Both of them carry a $8-million cap hits per season.
On the defense side, going with the 4-4-1 format allows the Predators to protect Mattias Ekholm. With that said, I do anticipate Ekholm or Ryan Ellis to be traded by the time the Expansion Draft comes around. – John (original post here)
Tampa Bay
Lightning Protected List
Watchlist
There have been no changes to the Tampa projections, but if Mathieu Joseph continues to play well, the Lightning might go with a 7-3-1 protection list that will force them to expose defenseman Cal Foote. -John (original post here)
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