I don't know if this has been said, but if Grubauer's contract is up he can't be selected unless the Caps do something stupid and re-sign him before the expansion draft. Vegas can't select free agents.

I think Orlov and Carlson are - should be - the only untouchable D on this roster.

That said, the whole NTC/NMC bs really makes rational trade behavior difficult.

Grooby deserves a shot at starter, but is there a fruit ripe for picking back on the farm?

Maybe Mr. Chad Johnson wouldn't mind coming back to DC next season.
- ghostibator

He went home to finish up his career.

I don't know if this has been said, but if Grubauer's contract is up he can't be selected unless the Caps do something stupid and re-sign him before the expansion draft. Vegas can't select free agents.
- Wetbandit1

He's an RFA, they can select RFAs I believe...

per NHL.com

iii) One goaltender who is under contract in 2017-18 or will be a restricted free agent at the expiration of his current contract immediately prior to 2017-18. If the club elects to make a restricted free agent goaltender available in order to meet this requirement, that goaltender must have received his qualifying offer prior to the submission of the club's protected list.

What about meeeeeeeeeeee
- ghostibator

You too!! Any actual caps fans, I'll cater to what you want.

I don't know if this has been said, but if Grubauer's contract is up he can't be selected unless the Caps do something stupid and re-sign him before the expansion draft. Vegas can't select free agents.
- Wetbandit1

Could be wrong, but UFA's only I believe.

They could probably get a big haul for Orlov in the offseason if they moved him before the expansion draft. I am assuming Orpic has a NTC and has to be protected?
- James_Tanner

It doesn't appear Orpik has a NTC. However, 2 more years at 5.5 mil makes him virtually untradeable. He's been fine on the 3rd pairing. Just isn't a top 4 dman anymore and they will surely leave him unprotected in the expansion draft.

I think Orlov and Carlson are - should be - the only untouchable D on this roster.

That said, the whole NTC/NMC bs really makes rational trade behavior difficult.

Grooby deserves a shot at starter, but is there a fruit ripe for picking back on the farm?

Maybe Mr. Chad Johnson wouldn't mind coming back to DC next season.
- ghostibator

IMO..untouchable D would be Alzner, (forget his contract status for the moment), Nisk, and Orlov. I would leave Carlson exposed and roll the dice. He has one more year left on his contract after this season and he will then get a big payday. (Just not worth it to me) He hasn't shown to be an elite offensive dman this season and I think the Caps can replace him if need be. Orlov is coming on strong of late and he's younger and that guy is worth protecting.

Orpik has a limited no movement clause. I'm fairly certain Niskanen was signed to the same deal. That means Carlson, Orpik, and Niskanen have to be the 3 d-men protected.

I think Orlov and Carlson are - should be - the only untouchable D on this roster.

That said, the whole NTC/NMC bs really makes rational trade behavior difficult.

Grooby deserves a shot at starter, but is there a fruit ripe for picking back on the farm?

Maybe Mr. Chad Johnson wouldn't mind coming back to DC next season.
- ghostibator

Niskanen > Carlson. We'd get a HUGE haul for JC too...

GMGM and BM were smart for one key thing about their contracts; they hardly ever gave out NTC/NMCs. Only 4 Capitals have them, and they are all severely limited except for Backs. Alzner is UFA, and the other 3 would be protected anyway.

Orpik has a limited no movement clause. I'm fairly certain Niskanen was signed to the same deal. That means Carlson, Orpik, and Niskanen have to be the 3 d-men protected.
- thomasp520

Nope.

Only Niskanen and Alzner have them and Alzner is UFA.

I think Orlov and Carlson are - should be - the only untouchable D on this roster.

That said, the whole NTC/NMC bs really makes rational trade behavior difficult.

Grooby deserves a shot at starter, but is there a fruit ripe for picking back on the farm?

Maybe Mr. Chad Johnson wouldn't mind coming back to DC next season.
- ghostibator

I think Samsonov is committed for another year in the KHL, but there is Vanecek, who isn't having the best year, in Hershey. Carlson isn't even in the AHL yet. So, unless Samsonov springs over, probably have to stop-gap it with a Chad Johnson type.

GMGM and BM were smart for one key thing about their contracts; they hardly ever gave out NTC/NMCs. Only 4 Capitals have them, and they are all severely limited except for Backs. Alzner is UFA, and the other 3 would be protected anyway.
- Blackstrom2

Yes, they were. Some teams have a boatload of them and it is surely handicapping them.

He's an RFA, they can select RFAs I believe...

per NHL.com

iii) One goaltender who is under contract in 2017-18 or will be a restricted free agent at the expiration of his current contract immediately prior to 2017-18. If the club elects to make a restricted free agent goaltender available in order to meet this requirement, that goaltender must have received his qualifying offer prior to the submission of the club's protected list.
- j.boyd919

That last sentence is key. No way they qualify him before that. They don't need to until after the draft.

That last sentence is key. No way they qualify him before that. They don't need to until after the draft.
- Wetbandit1

Don't you have to have a goalie on the list though? Only him or Holtby are eligible.