The Seattle Kraken need only to look at the Vegas Golden Knights to know that an experienced, dependable defense can carry a team in its first NHL season. Here are some veteran defenseman whose current teams have decisions to make about their availability:
Ryan McDonagh, Tampa Bay Lightning
McDonagh’s age and contract make him vulnerable to being exposed to the expansion draft. He’s 32 with five years remaining on a deal with a $6.75 million cap. The talent-laden Lightning have so much talent up front that their only option is to go with the seven forward, three defensemen and one goalie protection format.
They will protect Victor Hedman, Mikhail Sergachev and then either Erik Cernak or McDonagh. It’s hard to envision the Lightning leaving 24-year-old Cernak exposed, especially given his $2.95 million cap hit.
But McDonagh has played impressively well for the Lightning during the current playoff. He’s an important member of the Lightning’s roster.
The most likely scenario here is the Lightning cut a deal with the Kraken to protect McDonagh and Cernak. It’s probably being tied into discussions about the Kraken taking Tyler Johnson to help ease Tampa Bay’s salary cap issues. Cal Foote’s name has been mentioned as going to Seattle. If a deal happens, it is likely to include draft picks as well.
Erik Johnson, Colorado Avalanche
The Avalanche were at risk to expose either Sam Girard or Devon Toews, but word is that Erik Johnson, who has a no-movement clause, is going to waive that to allow himself to be exposed in the draft.
It is a classy move. The 33-year-old Johnson and the Avs’ hope is that the Kraken will be dissuaded to draft him because of his age, injury history and contract. His cap hit is $6 million for the next two seasons.
The best guess is the Avalanche will throw in a draft pick to further incentivize a Kraken decision not to select Johnson who played only four games this past season.
Nick Leddy, New York Islanders
General manager Lou Lamoriello doesn’t have an easy decision.when it comes to picking the three defensemen to protect. Adam Pelech and Ryan Pulock will be protected and then it comes down to Leddy vs. Scott Mayfield. Leddy is the team’s best offensive defenseman and Mayfield is critical to the team’s strong defensive game.
Leddy. 30, has a $5.5 million cap hit with one season left on his contract. Mayfield, 28, has two seasons left at $1.45 million.
If the Islanders expose Leddy, the Kraken would likely draft him. But the Islanders would have cap space to find another offensive defenseman. It would be harder to replace Mayfield.
Matt Dumba, Minnesota Wild
The Wild can’t protect Dumba because they have three defensemen (Ryan Suter, Jared Spurgeon and Jonas Brodin) with no movement clauses. Players with no movement have to be protected. They can’t go the 8 skaters, one goalie protection route because that could put them in position to lose forward Kevin Fiala.
The Wild can trade Dumba now, but that is challenging because teams have their own protection list issues. Or, they can cut a deal with Seattle not to take Dumba so they can deal him later.
Mark Giordano, Calgary Flames
The Flames should protect Noah Hanifin, Rasmus Andersson and Chris Tanev on defense. Giordano is still an important player in Calgary, but it’s not as if the Flames are ripping the heart out of a championship team.
He’s 37 and has one year remaining on a $6.75 million per season deal.
The Kraken would probably take Giordano and make him the anchorman of their defense. He played almost 23 minutes per game last season and scored nine goals. The Flames can try to trade him, but everyone is going to want to make that trade after the expansion list is finalized. Then it will be too late.
Kevin Shattenkirk, Anaheim Ducks
Doesn’t it feel like Shattenkirk will end up a Kraken? The Ducks could use the eight plus one format and perhaps protect Shattenkirk.
But the Ducks need to find playing time for Jamie Drysdale and they need to renovate their offense and defense. Letting Shattenkirk move to Seattle
Danny Dekeyser, Detroit Red Wings
Dekeyser is a nine-season veteran, but will be unprotected. But the Kraken isn’t likely to select him because they will have better options.
The Red Wings will have to expose either first round pick Dennis Cholowski or Troy Stecher who played exceptionally well for Canada in the recent World Championships. It seems like either of those players would be more attractive. Cholowski has offensive up-side and Stecher has a quality motor. He’s always engaged.
Shea Weber, Montreal Canadiens
Weber is 35 and he has five seasons remaining at $7.8 million. But he’s still the backbone of Montreal's defense and team identity.
There’s an argument that can be made to leave him off the protected list. You protect Jeff Petry, Joel Edmunson and Ben Chiarot. At the end of Weber’s contract, he won’t be worth $7.8 million. You tell yourself the Kraken will take goalie Jake Allen (although the Canadiens may trade him).
But here’s why you expose Chiarot, instead of Weber. If the Habs expose Weber, it will become a major story in Montreal after a great playoff run. Who needs that? You protect Weber and cut a deal with Seattle not to take Chiarot. And if they take him, you remind yourself that he becomes an unrestricted free agent next summer. He could have left anyway.
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