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First Look at the Protected/Unprotected Lists

June 18, 2017, 11:16 AM ET [8 Comments]
Paul McCann
Nashville Predators Blogger •Predators Radio Network • RSSArchiveCONTACT
The protected list has been revealed… the Preds went the eight skaters, one goaltender route as expected… they protected the following players; Viktor Arvidsson, Filip Forsberg, Calle Jarnkrok, Ryan Johansen, Mattias Ekholm, Ryan Ellis, Roman Josi, P.K. Subban and Pekka Rinne.

Now, let’s look at the unprotected players and the chances of the Predators losing each… before anyone loses their minds, please keep in mind that the wheeling and dealing begins today in earnest and the general managers will be talking to try and “protect” more players with trades. GM Poile and GM McPhee will be chatting a lot in the next few days.

James Neal – Neal may be a very tantalizing option for Vegas – solid scorer in the last year of a contract… which means that Vegas could flip him at the trade deadline for more assets… almost a Buy One Get One deal for the Golden Knights. It wouldn’t surprise me if a deal is made to keep Neal. Chances of selection – 35%
Colin Wilson – Could possibly be the poster child for “new start.” Wilson has size and hands but he has been inconsistent as all get out… He has a fairly reasonable contract that could prove valuable to Vegas. Chances of selection – 20%
Colton Sissons – This is one of the more fascinating choice for McPhee… if he is looking to build with youth and wants to look at a potential solid 3rd or 4th line center… Sissons could be his man. This is a role that normally gets filled with a role player however and there may be another option on the UFA market. Chances of selection – 10%
Craig Smith – Coming off one of his worst seasons in the NHL, he may be flying a bit under the radar… but 20 goal scorers don’t grow on trees and Smith delivered that for three consecutive seasons prior to last season. I’ve seen some quibbles about his contract… but Vegas will need a few of these types of deals to get to the cap floor. Chances of selection – 30%
Anthony Bitetto/Matt Irwin/Yannick Weber – I grouped these together as the most likely defensemen to potentially be taken. All role players that… again, can be selected in UFA negotiations. Bitetto could be tempting because of his youth and upside. Chances of selection – 3%
Cody McLeod – A valuable add to the Nashville lineup when he was acquired in January. Has some skill and definitely allows the team to play a bit bigger, while his value was up and down in the playoffs, this is a player that I don’t see Vegas taking in an expansion draft, especially with the other options available. Chances of selection – 2%

If Neal gets taken off the market by trade, I would change the chances of selection for Wilson to 30%, Smith to 40% and Sissons to 25%

Per NashvillePredators.com – the following players are exempt from selection - Forwards Pontus Aberg, Kevin Fiala, Vernon Fiddler (UFA) Mike Fisher (UFA), Frederick Gaudreau, Vladislav Kamenev, PA Parenteau (UFA); defensemen Petter Granberg; goaltender Juuse Saros.

The next few days will be interesting as the rumors will run rampant!

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