Everyone is focusing on the goaltending situations of Tampa Bay and Pittsburgh in relation to being able to protect only one goaltender if an expansion draft comes next summer, but they are one of many NHL clubs that will be exposed to losing a top prospect. That could precipitate trades this offseason to relieve themselves of that dilemma.
The rumored requisites for needing to be protected are two or more years of pro experience (AHL or NHL). Those with less than two years or prospects or have been signed to entry-level deals are exempt.
The Penguins are in a very vulnerable position since they can protect only one of goalies Marc-Andre Fleury, Matt Murray and prospect Tristan Jarry. Lightning GM Steve Yzerman only has to protect youngster Andrei Vasilevskiy, since Ben Bishop will be an unrestricted free agent after the 2016-17 season.
St. Louis and Winnipeg have veterans Brian Elliott and Ondrej Pavelec with contracts up after next season, but both have a pair of young goalies (Blues with Jake Allen and Jordan Binnington, Jets with Connor Hellebuyck and Eric Comrie) and can only protect one.
Anaheim and Colorado have presumptive starters signed to long-term deals (John Gibson and Semyon Varlamov) and quality netminders in RFA’s Frederik Andersen and Calvin Pickard looking to get new contracts.
New Jersey and Montreal have top echelon starters in Carey Price and Corey Schnieder who will no doubt be protected, leaving prospects Zach Fucale and Scott Wedgewood exposed.
This could be a beneficial scenario for teams that are looking to shore up their goaltending situation in the near future. Calgary has just RFA Joni Ortio under control for next season. Toronto traded James Reimer at the deadline and has only Jonathan Bernier with NHL experience between the pipes, while Dallas could be looking for a third option after the failure of Kari Lehtonen and Antti Niemi in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The potential glut of available goaltending on the market could allow GM’s Brad Treliving, Lou Lamoriello or Jim Nill to pick and choose a starting goalie and not have to give up a king’s ransom or find a cost effective option in free agency where veterans like Reimer or Cam Ward will have little leverage to demand a long-term deal.
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