I think we can all agree that the Kings will protect Doughty, Muzzin, Kopitar, Carter, Pearson, and Toffoli. I also think in my opinion that it is obvious Martinez will be protected as well, but there appears to be a small minority on this board who think Martinez should be exposed, which is nonsense. First we wont expose Martinez because he is one of our best defenseman, and second, if his cap hit is a concern we can trade him for a haul of draft picks and prospects. Why would we risk losing him for nothing to Vegas?
That basically just leaves one open spot to protect either Forbort, McNabb, or Dowd. I don't think there are any other players that would warrant a protection because, if lost, it would not make the slightest difference on this team.
I would go with protecting Forbort. I think his upside is a lot higher than McNabb. In his first full season in the NHL, he is already head and shoulders better than McNabb with respect to puck movement, getting the puck on net, playing the angles, and not freezing in the defensive zone.
I think Vegas would end up taking Dowd, which would suck, but its better to lose a third line center than a potential top 4 defenseman. I would prefer that Vegas take Brown for obvious reasons, but they wont.
I predict the Lightening winning the cup. They have been clawing at the cup for years now, and have one of the deepest teams to win it all.
