SHARKS PROTECTION LIST
FORWARDS
Rudolfs Balcers Logan Couture Ryan Donato Tomas Hertl Evander Kane Kevin Labanc Timo Meier
DEFENSE
Brent Burns Erik Karlsson Marc-Edouard Vlasic
GOALIE
Josef Korenar
EXPOSURE REQUIREMENTS - FORWARD Dylan Gambrell (RFA - extended) Patrick Marleau (extended) Matt Nieto (extended)
EXPOSURE REQUIREMENTS - DEFENSE Radim Simek
EXPOSURE REQUIREMENTS - GOALIE Martin Jones
The seven forwards are pretty obvious choices for protection, in my opinion. Then on defense, both Karlsson and Vlasic have no-move clauses, leaving one spot left for Brent Burns to be protected.
The situation in net will be somewhat interesting, however. I think it’s possible the Sharks leave Martin Jones exposed because Seattle is unlikely to take his contract and if they did, it just frees up cap space for the Sharks to go find a different starter. It could be a good move to protect 23-year-old Josef Korenar instead.
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Looking at the Sharks the most intriguing fact will be if the team cannot extend the players that Ben Shelley has laid out. Dylan Gambrell as an RFA will likely be extended but would Marleau sign prior to the Expansion Draft? If not the Sharks run the risk of losing a good forward. I would assume if the Sharks are forced to leave one of these players open, it would likely be Ryan Donato.
Perhaps someone like Radim Simek is selected alternatively with his 2.25 cap hit over the next three seasons. I see very little chance that the Kraken will be going after Martin Jones if left unprotected.
Ultimately the Sharks could get away pretty easily if they are able to lock up a couple forwards to protect. If they are unable to the Sharks could be a team that tries to offer a draft pick to avoid losing the likes of Donato or Balcers.
Who do you think Seattle should select from the Sharks?