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In this edition of the hotstove, we share our thoughts on the most puzzling/surprising expansion draft protection decisions.
Todd Cordell
The one that stands out to me is Jimmy Howard over Petr Mrazek. The latter is coming off a rough year but he was very good the season prior and, historically, has posted excellent numbers everywhere he has played. I think last season was a one-off and that he's a good bounce-back candidate.
When you factor in Mrazek is eight years younger, cheaper, and the Red Wings are in a retool, if you'll call it that, it makes no sense to protect Howard instead.
Honorable mentions go to St. Louis for protecting a 4th liner (Ryan Reaves) over a 46 point player (David Perron) and Florida protecting Alex Petrovic as a 4th defenseman rather than three more forwards in Reilly Smith, Jonathan Marchessault, and Jussi Jokinen.
Matt Henderson
I think Ryan Reaves' protection was particularly bad, but the player they might lose is still on the fringe of their roster.
The one that raises the eyebrows the highest to me is Josh Manson unprotected in Anaheim. Both Manson and Vatanen are unprotected, and I hope if there is a side deal with Anaheim to lay off either that the Ducks had to pay through the nose, because the other clubs in the West should be all over the option of making a deal with Vegas.
I mean the Oilers should be all over that with an Eberle + 22nd pick for Manson + Marchessault or something similar. If Edmonton or one of the other clubs can't outbid Anaheim in the end, that's fine, but they have to give up more than a 1st to lay off that prize.
Adam French
We obviously can't determine this until the "side deals" show up to explain (or not) some of the more dubious decisions. Obviously, the Islanders and Ducks are easy targets here as they left a ton of highly talented players on the table. They also have been rumoured to have paid the price for this and that it won't be a disaster. So I'm going to go for the low hanging fruit and suggest that exposing Petr Mrazek was the worst decision.
The plan I see here from Holland's view is that they cannot afford to waste 9mil on goaltending. "Prospect" and goalie of the future (that is older than Mrazek) Jared Coreau will get the reigns once Howard's deal is done in two years and "fits" better mentally in the waiting game over Mrazek. While I can see this "plan," it seems stupid. Howard is on a terrible deal and a worse goalie than Mrazek. Coreau is older than Mrazek and doesn't even sniff the success Mrazek has had.
For Las Vegas
A Fleury/Mrazek tandem is actually very interesting in year one, plus that opens the idea of dealing Raanta who is on an extremely dirt cheap contract to a team for more assets. Let's be real here, Mrazek is one year removed from a Calder level year and a very strong season showing large potential. Deal Fleury next season at the deadline and run Mrazek as your starter...unless he falters substantially.
I don't get this move by Detroit and I don't get a lot of their moves recently. Who the heck would take Howard even for free? If you're exposing Mrazek instead to hide a "great" player from being picked instead...who is he? Mr. 2 Goals Sheahan? Old Pylon's Ericsson and Kronwall? Question marks Ouellet and Sproul? "Goalie of the Future" Coreau is available...It looks like dark times ahead.
Peter Tessier
The one I'm scratching my head about is definitely Reaves instead of Perron but I think this is a case of the Blues having protected who they really need/want so they don't care. That being said what happened with the Islanders? Some of their decisions are bizarre and frankly what does that say to Tavares?
This is a team who protected 5 defensemen and then left quality forwards free and didn't even make a deal to get something before having to hand over a first round pick to Vegas to not disrupt the roster too much. De Haan is available but you protected Boychuk?
Insert face palm gif here.
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