The NHL is not going to force a team to protect a player for a season in which he is not under contract for.
- Feds91Stammer

It's not about protecting for the next season. It's about protecting for the expansion draft. Which will happen under the 16-17 season as that goes until July 1st.

They don't want to put the expansion team behind, and July 1st they will have their players and can go into free agency like everyone else.

I don't think the Lightning are going to have an option on who to protect as long as Bishop is still there. Which would mean that Vasy would be a prime target to be taken in the draft.

It might come down to if Bishop is willing to be traded, or if the Lightning want Bishop long term over Vasy. But I think one will be traded this offseason if Bishop has to be protected with his NMC.

Koekkoek and DeAngelo doesnt need protection, they are not in their 3rd year as pros. And its baffling that you didnt include Stralman in that group.
- Cloud

This would be for next summer. Koekkoek and Deangelo would need protection. Stralman would be 31 heading into that season.

It's not about protecting for the next season. It's about protecting for the expansion draft. Which will happen under the 16-17 season as that goes until July 1st.

They don't want to put the expansion team behind, and July 1st they will have their players and can go into free agency like everyone else.

I don't think the Lightning are going to have an option on who to protect as long as Bishop is still there. Which would mean that Vasy would be a prime target to be taken in the draft.

It might come down to if Bishop is willing to be traded, or if the Lightning want Bishop long term over Vasy. But I think one will be traded this offseason if Bishop has to be protected with his NMC.
- carcus

Obviously the draft would occur before the start of free agency but you're missing the point that the NHL will not require you to protect pending free agents just because they have a NMC.

In a way too early protection selection I'm going with:

Filppula(NMC), Callahan(NMC), Kucherov, Drouin, Johnson, Palat, Namestnikov

Hedman, Koekkoek, Deangelo

Vasilevskiy
- Feds91Stammer

Stralman?

Stralman?
- Artyukhin76

I'm choosing not to protect him

This would be for next summer. Koekkoek and Deangelo would need protection. Stralman would be 31 heading into that season.
- Feds91Stammer

Koekkoek and Deangelo could be a scary pairing in the future..

Koekkoek and Deangelo could be a scary pairing in the future..
- j.boyd919

So you agree to protect them over a 31 year old stralman?

This would be for next summer. Koekkoek and Deangelo would need protection. Stralman would be 31 heading into that season.
- Feds91Stammer

Players that has not played two years of pro hockey is off taget in the draft. Koekkoek played 9 games last year which doesn't burn a year of his ELC (if im correct ). DeAngelo will have maximum 1 year of pro hockey at that time.

Stralman is a top40 defender in this league on a good contract. He will be protected for sure.

I guess that ends the "which" goalie debate. At least we don't have to "protect" a crap goalie like Lehtonen. Protect Bishop, then depending if vasy is snatched up or not extend Bishop. It's not the end of the world.

Will expansion draft be held this summer or next?
- Artyukhin76

Yzerman won't lose Vasi in expansion draft. If it comes down to it he will trade him before the draft

In a way too early protection selection I'm going with:

Filppula(NMC), Callahan(NMC), Kucherov, Drouin, Johnson, Palat, Namestnikov

Hedman, Koekkoek, Deangelo

Vasilevskiy
- Feds91Stammer

Entry level deals not in the NHL don't need to be protected so Deangelo won't need protecting

Players that has not played two years of pro hockey is off taget in the draft. Koekkoek played 9 games last year which doesn't burn a year of his ELC (if im correct ). DeAngelo will have maximum 1 year of pro hockey at that time.

Stralman is a top40 defender in this league on a good contract. He will be protected for sure.
- Cloud

I guess it depends on what the definition of pro hockey is. By my interpretation the ahl is pro hockey.

I guess it depends on what the definition of pro hockey is. By my interpretation the ahl is pro hockey.
- Feds91Stammer

You are correct however in terms of expansion draft it only applies to NHL players from what I have heard, specifically players on ELC's that haven't played certain amount in NHL don't need protecting

Obviously the draft would occur before the start of free agency but you're missing the point that the NHL will not require you to protect pending free agents just because they have a NMC.
- Feds91Stammer

I haven't read anything stating pending FA that have NMCs would be exempt from using a spot. If there is something, I would be interested in reading it.

A player is on the roster until 7/1. So them saying NMC count in your protected players, it makes sense that they count even if their contact ends a month later unless they specifically have a rule for potential UFA.

There will be teams working on loop holes if they don't require them to count. Such as talking now and agreeing to a deal but not signing it until after the expansion draft but before free agency. That would be like an extra exempt player for the team.

You are correct however in terms of expansion draft it only applies to NHL players from what I have heard, specifically players on ELC's that haven't played certain amount in NHL don't need protecting
- uf1910

I guess we will wait to see what the official rules are but if that is the case it doesn't seem like many players will be available for the expansion team.

So you agree to protect them over a 31 year old stralman?
- Feds91Stammer

haha of course. After injury, Stralman looked awful, granted I don't think he'll look like that next season... but you definitely protect the skilled youth over the aging vet.

You are correct however in terms of expansion draft it only applies to NHL players from what I have heard, specifically players on ELC's that haven't played certain amount in NHL don't need protecting
- uf1910

Nah, I'm pretty sure it's AHL hockey too. It's 1st and 2nd year entry level contracts (which Koekkoek, and Deangelo will be in their 3rd)

Nah, I'm pretty sure it's AHL hockey too. It's 1st and 2nd year entry level contracts (which Koekkoek, and Deangelo will be in their 3rd)
- j.boyd919

Just read up article on ESPN of all places and you are correct.

Good news is we can lose at most 2 players (or 1 if only 1 expansion team)

Just read up article on ESPN of all places and you are correct.

Good news is we can lose at most 2 players (or 1 if only 1 expansion team)
- uf1910

I believe it also depends on the NMC as well, Pens are talking about exposing Fleury (but he has a limited NMC, can't be sent to AHL) but for some reason, they can still expose him.

I believe it also depends on the NMC as well, Pens are talking about exposing Fleury (but he has a limited NMC, can't be sent to AHL) but for some reason, they can still expose him.
- j.boyd919

If it only applies to full NMC then I believe Tampa could expose filppula as well

If it only applies to full NMC then I believe Tampa could expose filppula as well
- Feds91Stammer

That's what I've been reading, is its only full NMC. Limited's don't have to be protected.

Obviously the draft would occur before the start of free agency but you're missing the point that the NHL will not require you to protect pending free agents just because they have a NMC.
- Feds91Stammer

It's not the NHL's decision. It's a deal negotiated between the NHL and NHLPA, and the deal was anyone with a full NMC has to be protected, regardless of if on an expiring deal or not. Bishop is one of a dozen players this effects. The NHL may go back and re-negotiate with the NHLPA about those dozen players. Or they may leave the rules as currently negotiated.

A reasonable rule would be that if you dont protect an pending ufa, you cant sign that player to a contract for 1 season.

A reasonable rule would be that if you dont protect an pending ufa, you cant sign that player to a contract for 1 season.
- Cloud

A reasonable rule would be that if you dont protect an pending ufa, you cant sign that player to a contract for 1 season.
- Cloud

NHLPA would never agree to that.

Nah, I'm pretty sure it's AHL hockey too. It's 1st and 2nd year entry level contracts (which Koekkoek, and Deangelo will be in their 3rd)
- j.boyd919

Not just AHL, all pro hockey. KHL, european leagues, etc. They are really forcing teams to expose all but their absolute core. Only saving grace is only losing one player per expansion team.