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First Mock Expansion Draft |
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Picking a team isn't as easy as it sounds. Many factors should be considered. I've put a few of those factors below:
Must vs. May
There are a few things that need to be cleared up. The 30 current teams MUST leave two forwards and a defenseman, who are both under contract for 2017-18 AND have played in 40 games this season or 70 games over the past two seasons. Additionally, one goalie under contract for 2017-18 or who is a restricted free agent must also be made available
Fans more often look at who a team MAY protect. Either seven forwards, three defensemen and one goalie or eight skaters and one goalie. May is the key word. By my estimates, at least 18 teams don't have enough eligible players to protect a full cadre. Free agents make up a huge part of the remaining league player pool.
Signing Rush
Going back to the amount of players that can be protected, you can bet there will be a rash of signings and extensions as soon as the off-season starts through June 17, the date when protect lists must be submitted. For example, if the Canes want to hold on to Justin Falk, someone must be signed to take his place (i.e. RFA Klas Dahlbeck) on the unprotected list.
Up Front Deals
If you are a fan of trades, this will be like Christmas for you. For example, the Penguins won't be able to protect Marc-Andre Fleury and Matt Murray. Both goalies are too valuable to lose for nothing, so one of them will probably get dealt. Also, the rights to fringe RFA's will be hot commodities as teams try to get more eligible players so they can hold onto to players they may otherwise have to leave unprotected.
Back Room Deals
It doesn't matter what the NHL announced. There will be more back room dealing between existing teams and Vegas than there is during federal budget approval. Lots of “if you don't pick player X from me, I'll make sure you get some additional draft picks in a subsequent trade” type agreements.
Marketing
The Knights have to put a decent team on the ice. Vegas isn't Hamilton or Quebec, the fans won't be as patient in the desert as they would be in Canada. Additionally, the team is going to need a few guys to be faces of the franchise. They can sell players like Jack Johnson and Jimmy Howard to the potential fan base.
Forgotten Element
There is a major fact that has been overlooked by many people. Vegas has no minor league system. More importantly they will have zero prospects to build a foundation for the franchise. Teams with deep organizations and extra draft picks will be of special interest to the Golden Knights GM George McPhee.
First Mock Draft
This mock draft is based on how things are today. Here is the initial Las Vegas Golden Knights roster:
Forwards
Mike Cammaleri – NJD
Tyler Ennis – BUF
Craig Smith – NSH
Jussi Jokinen – FLA
Benoit Poulliot – EDM
Matt Read – PHI
Lars Eller – WSH
Matt Stajan – CGY
Jannik Hansen – SJS
Joakim Nordstrom – CAR
JT Brown – TBL
Joel Armia – WPG
Ryan Hartman – CHI
Nic Dowd – LAK
Scott Wilson – PIT
Jayson Megna – VAN
Defensemen
Jack Johnson – CLB
Marco Scandella – MIN
Thomas Hickey – NYI
Alexey Marchenko – TOR
Jordie Benn – MTL
Kevin Connauton – ARI
Josh Manson – ANA
Chris Wideman – OTT
Greg Pateryn – DAL
Goalies
Jimmy Howard – DET
Antti Ranta – NYR
Calvin Pickard – COL
Malcolm Subban – BOS
Jordan Binnington – STL
This is the first of three mock drafts. The second mock draft will be in late May and the third will be a few days before the actual draft. Additionally, I be posting a weekly Expansionistics from now through the expansion draft.
-Ed Stein
Blogger •Ed Stein • 
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