Jared Crozier: Looking Ahead To Expansion Draft

Maybe the Sens won't have to protect Hoffman.... wouldn't surprise me at all if Melnyk says no to an arbitration award if it's too rich.

From the outside looking in as a Leafs fan (yeah yeah, I know), I'm baffled with Anderson being on your protected list. Don't get me wrong, great goalie when he's on his game, no doubt, but you're considering protecting a guy that will be 36 in the final year of a three year contract with a $4.2 million annual cap hit. Even though Hammond may be considered a bit of a question mark, his youth and cap hit should be considered. But like I said, outside looking in, correct me if I'm wrong.

Yes teams must protect players with NMC's or LMC's unless the player is willing to wave it for the expansion draft.
For example, Dion might be willing to lift his NMC to play in Vegas, then that opens the door to protecting a different player, who knows what will happen.

One thing I'm sure of, in order to keep the players they want, teams will trade the ones they cant protect for prospects or picks rather than risk loosing them for nothing.

In the end, Vegas will look like any other expansion team that came before it. A team loaded with veterans and 3 line/pair talent.

Wouldn't they rather protect Methot over Dion?

Pretty much the list most people would have I think. I kind of agree with the earlier poster about Anderson, but protecting Hammond is a little silly too. Exposing Methot isn't a huge deal to me. He's a solid d-man, but could be easily replaced via free agency or a minor trade. However, if Macarthur has a decent year this year, I think he'd be the guy to get snagged.

With all due respect Blogmeister, I wouldn't call Mac a solid or prominent player at this point in his career. He's 31, has concussion issues and only played 4 games last year. He's damaged goods.

Quote: Wouldn't they rather protect Methot over Dion?

classic Leaf. Bashing their old players
- Barnaby36

Pretty much the list most people would have I think. I kind of agree with the earlier poster about Anderson, but protecting Hammond is a little silly too. Exposing Methot isn't a huge deal to me. He's a solid d-man, but could be easily replaced via free agency or a minor trade. However, if Macarthur has a decent year this year, I think he'd be the guy to get snagged.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

There's nothing much else to protect after those guys. I think you're losing Methot.

From the Penguins I'd protect:

Murray

Letang
Dumoulin
Määttä

Crosby
Malkin
Kessel
Hagelin
Hörnqvist
Bonino (assuming we re-sign him, if not, Sheary)
Rust (or Wilson, depending on his next year)

LosinG Methot, at his age and his salary won't be too bad. May suck for the following season. ButI can easily see him declining.

As for MacArthur. No way I protect him unless he rebounds w a full season and has great numbers. Teams likely won't take him.

As for protecting Anderson, Hammond isn't worth the paper that his name would be printed on to protect him, so why bother. He's replaceable and average at best.

Does anyone know if a team can ask a player to waive his NMC voluntarily for the expansion ? I think if Phaneuf gets exposed he doesn't get taken. That would protect Methot. Worse case....he gets to go live in LV. Also....I expect the Sens to deal Anderson if they aren't in a playoff spot. Even now....does a Anderson plus (3rd Rd? Boro ??) for MAF make sense for both teams? GoalI market in general has dried up.

Does anyone know if a team can ask a player to waive his NMC voluntarily for the expansion ? I think if Phaneuf gets exposed he doesn't get taken. That would protect Methot. Worse case....he gets to go live in LV. Also....I expect the Sens to deal Anderson if they aren't in a playoff spot. Even now....does a Anderson plus (3rd Rd? Boro ??) for MAF make sense for both teams? GoalI market in general has dried up.
- GrimmdaGoalie

I'd deal MAF to clear cap space but not for Anderson. No way. Pageau+ for MAF.

Fleury for a couple 2nd rounders

Does anyone know if a team can ask a player to waive his NMC voluntarily for the expansion ? I think if Phaneuf gets exposed he doesn't get taken. That would protect Methot. Worse case....he gets to go live in LV. Also....I expect the Sens to deal Anderson if they aren't in a playoff spot. Even now....does a Anderson plus (3rd Rd? Boro ??) for MAF make sense for both teams? GoalI market in general has dried up.
- GrimmdaGoalie

Yes, players can waive NMC.

With all due respect Blogmeister, I wouldn't call Mac a solid or prominent player at this point in his career. He's 31, has concussion issues and only played 4 games last year. He's damaged goods.
- systemtool

I did say health permitting a bit later. If he can play healthy and put up his regular 20-25 goals, he could be a solid choice in a fringe top 6/top 9 like he is now.

if he has another concussion, it is moot anyway either way.

Does anyone know if a team can ask a player to waive his NMC voluntarily for the expansion ? I think if Phaneuf gets exposed he doesn't get taken. That would protect Methot. Worse case....he gets to go live in LV. Also....I expect the Sens to deal Anderson if they aren't in a playoff spot. Even now....does a Anderson plus (3rd Rd? Boro ??) for MAF make sense for both teams? GoalI market in general has dried up.
- GrimmdaGoalie

We will have to address the goaltending situation at some point. Andy is not getting any younger. However, Marc Andre Flurey is not a great option long term. Say we ride out with Andy this year and acquire Flurey at the deadline or something. He'll be 33 the following season.

I don't think the goalie market is dried up necessarily. It's just hard for guys to make noise. Theres on 60 NHL goalie spots. About half of those are made up of guys with terrible contracts who wouldn't be in the NHL otherwise.

Trading for a goalie never cost an exorbitant amount either, due to the lack of demand. I'd say take your time in your search and don't rush out for the most convenient guy. Remember Bishop was had for a 2nd from St. Louis and Conacher from Ottawa. Schneider probably is the most recent goalie to bring in a decent trade with a 9th overall pick, which in my opinion is a small price for perhaps one of the top goalies right now (just on a horrendous team).

I wouldn't be surprised to see 2 or more of Anderson, Phaneuf and Ryan on the unprotected list due to internal cap restraints and the resigning of Turris, Stone, Ceci, Hoffman, etc etc combined with the emergence of some of our prospect talent...
I see Methot staying with the team long term and transitioning into Philips 2.0

I wouldn't be surprised to see 2 or more of Anderson, Phaneuf and Ryan on the unprotected list due to internal cap restraints and the resigning of Turris, Stone, Ceci, Hoffman, etc etc combined with the emergence of some of our prospect talent...
I see Methot staying with the team long term and transitioning into Philips 2.0
- JN1980

Ryan and Phanuef both have no-move clauses. They would have to waive them and I doubt either does in order to go to an expansion team.

First off, thanks for covering this topic -- I've been mentioning it here and there. It comes down to Marc Methot or Cody Ceci. Up front, the 7 forwards are very clear as it stands: Hoffman, Stone, Turris, Ryan, Brassard, Pageau, Lazar. I honestly don't have that big of a probably loosing Mac and his almost 5M cap hit.

Maybe the Sens won't have to protect Hoffman.... wouldn't surprise me at all if Melnyk says no to an arbitration award if it's too rich.
- magmoo

It certainly would surprise and disappoint me. There's no way I would allow Hoffman to be traded unless your getting a player of similar value and output.

2 things happen (aside from other trades or moves) - either Methot is kept this whole year and then traded OR Ceci is moved and Chabot (who is protected).

Ryan and Phanuef both have no-move clauses. They would have to waive them and I doubt either does in order to go to an expansion team.
- JaredCrozier

* All players who have currently effective and continuing "No Movement" clauses at the time of the Expansion Draft (and who to decline to waive such clauses) must be protected (and will be counted toward their club's applicable protection limits).

https://www.nhl.com/news/...n-draft-rules/c-281010592

I didn't know about this rule...
Maybe one or more waives ???
Would be a bit of a gamble.....

My understanding is the Senators have make three offers for the Hoffman camp to consider. One year (arbitration position) medium term over a few years and long term.

Erm, why are we protecting Curtis Lazar?

My understanding is the Senators have make three offers for the Hoffman camp to consider. One year (arbitration position) medium term over a few years and long term.
- spatso

Aren't those the only 3 options?

Aren't those the only 3 options?
- ClarksonDavid

Super long term?