John Gove: The Bolts' Blueprint for Expansion Draft

So who's the fourth protection worthy D man you mentioned? Plus why do you keep calling Vegas the Black Knights?!?

So who's the fourth protection worthy D man you mentioned? Plus why do you keep calling Vegas the Black Knights?!?
- Nuck4U

My apologies, the Black Knights error is a combination of the Army mascot and being overly tired thanks to my newborn baby. Sorry for the confusion but I am saying that they do not have a fourth protection worthy dman.

If Coburn can be resigned at a team-friendly salary, then I say we keep him. He has more utility at this stage in his career than Garrison does. I would keep Coburn and let Sustr (Cory Cross Part Two) walk.

I am torn, but based on the limited sample size, I like Dotchin over Koekkoek. Dotchin gives us some physicality on the blue line that we have lacked since Gudas was traded.

Coburn already signed at a team friendly salary

Dotchin (5 games left) and Koekkoek (11 games left) are not available , neither have reached the exposure number ,
You have 4 who meet requirements , Hedman,Garrison,Stalman ,Coburn . and you must leave 1 of these 4 exposed , im guessing Coburn ?

Dotchin (5 games left) and Koekkoek (11 games left) are not available , neither have reached the exposure number ,
You have 4 who meet requirements , Hedman,Garrison,Stalman ,Coburn . and you must leave 1 of these 4 exposed , im guessing Coburn ?
- Sharksfan68

Coburn and Garrison meet the needed expansion requirement the Lightning have to leave one of them exposed but Koekkoek and Dotchin are still available to be picked because they just played the final year on their entry-level deal. Only players who have 2 or less years are exempt completely.

I think Dotchin is less likely to get taken in the expansion then Koekkoek for two reason. First is that koekkoek has a higher projected ceiling then Dotchin. Second is that with his history of suspensions and hard hitting plays, he has built a less then ideal opinion of himself outside of the Lightning Organization making him less likely to get taken.

Also, working under the assumption that Vegas does want to build with young forwards and veteran defense, we can hopefully get them to select either Coburn or Garrison with the addition of a draft pick. I think a 3rd would probably get this done for Garrison with his contract only being one more year.

I think Dotchin is less likely to get taken in the expansion then Koekkoek for two reason. First is that koekkoek has a higher projected ceiling then Dotchin. Second is that with his history of suspensions and hard hitting plays, he has built a less then ideal opinion of himself outside of the Lightning Organization making him less likely to get taken.

Also, working under the assumption that Vegas does want to build with young forwards and veteran defense, we can hopefully get them to select either Coburn or Garrison with the addition of a draft pick. I think a 3rd would probably get this done for Garrison with his contract only being one more year.
- headyhedman77

I dont think Koekkoek will be passed over. Garrisson and a 3rd holds far less value then Koekkoek. I hope he is protected, hes a more attractive choice over Dotchin for LV. Dotchin played well with Hedman, but how well would he play on a 3rd pairing in Vegas with a guy like Kris Russel?

If Koekkoek is available for Vegas he will probably be taken, either to be a part of Vegas or for some other club to trade LV assets for. Koekkoek played well in his short stint in the big league. Young puckmoving D-men has lots of value in the NHL.

I dont think Koekkoek will be passed over. Garrisson and a 3rd holds far less value then Koekkoek. I hope he is protected, hes a more attractive choice over Dotchin for LV. Dotchin played well with Hedman, but how well would he play on a 3rd pairing in Vegas with a guy like Kris Russel?

If Koekkoek is available for Vegas he will probably be taken, either to be a part of Vegas or for some other club to trade LV assets for. Koekkoek played well in his short stint in the big league. Young puckmoving D-men has lots of value in the NHL.
- Cloud

Dunno why Vegas would take Kris Russell. Dude sucks.

I dont think Koekkoek will be passed over. Garrisson and a 3rd holds far less value then Koekkoek. I hope he is protected, hes a more attractive choice over Dotchin for LV. Dotchin played well with Hedman, but how well would he play on a 3rd pairing in Vegas with a guy like Kris Russel?

If Koekkoek is available for Vegas he will probably be taken, either to be a part of Vegas or for some other club to trade LV assets for. Koekkoek played well in his short stint in the big league. Young puckmoving D-men has lots of value in the NHL.
- Cloud

Exactly, thats why i say we expose Dotchin and protect Koekkoek. Furthermore its time to let Koekkoek sink or swim, put him in with a decent pairing (not sustr where he will obviously be doomed to fail) and let him adjust to the NHL. I have no doubt he is capable of playing in the NHL as long as he is put in a situation where he can succeed.

Dunno why Vegas would take Kris Russell. Dude sucks.
- j.boyd919

He's not even signed for next season, right? I just wanted an example of a player thats the complete opposite of Heddy, Russel can to mind.

Exactly, thats why i say we expose Dotchin and protect Koekkoek. Furthermore its time to let Koekkoek sink or swim, put him in with a decent pairing (not sustr where he will obviously be doomed to fail) and let him adjust to the NHL. I have no doubt he is capable of playing in the NHL as long as he is put in a situation where he can succeed.
- headyhedman77

Agree here. Let's see what Koekkoek can do.