Possible Future Expansion Draft: Who are you Protecting?

[Habs Halifax]

Who are you protecting knowing what you know today and if there is an expansion draft in 2026? I know this kind of talk is early but I do believe we are going to have another expansion draft. 2017, 2021, and I can certainly see another in 2026 ish.

Options to protect:

7F, 3D, 1G
or
8 skaters and 1G.

Hard to determine who will be exempt but I believe those are the guys with 2 years or less of pro years? Someone like Reinbacher would be exempt. His two season would be 24/25 and 25/26 if he starts next year with us. Could be a massive decision to not bring him over to the NHL this season. Hutson would be exempt as well. If there is an expansion draft in 2027, that would be a difficult situation IMO.

Players who would be exempt if it was in 2026: I believe this list includes players who have not played 40 NHL games in total by the end of this season. Basically, that's when the 1st RFA year kicks in.

* Reinbacher
* Hutson
* Roy and Mailloux (as long as they don't play 40 NHL games this year)
* Beck
* Engstrom
* Fowler
* Who else am I forgetting that is a B+ or grade A type?

Possible Protection List:

Caufield, Suzuki, Dach, Slaf, Roy, Newhook? Room for one more

Guhle, Xhekaj, Matheson? Not sure if Matheson is extended or not

Monty or Primeau

Possible players who could be exposed:
Barron
RHP
Ylonen
Anderson
Harris
Kova

Click to read more...

 

[Whalers Fan]

If he continues to improve, I would probably protect Barron over Matheson. Also, unless he waives his NMC (as Price did), Gallagher is required to be protected.

 

[Habs Halifax]

If he continues to improve, I would probably protect Barron over Matheson. Also, unless he waives his NMC (as Price did), Gallagher is required to be protected.

Forgot about Gallagher with the NMC. That's a huge factor if guys like RHP is someone we don't want to loose.

Not sure what happens with Matheson. Do we extend him or not? It would possibly come at a cost of Barron. Maybe we flip Matheson at that deadline and consider signing him in that offseason instead.

Hard to project what happens in the next 3 season including this one but interesting to talk about IMO. I do believe we have another expansion draft coming. Hopefully not two teams... that's bad timing to our rebuild/youth

 

[Colezuki]

If he continues to improve, I would probably protect Barron over Matheson. Also, unless he waives his NMC (as Price did), Gallagher is required to be protected.

Worth noting, usually we know about an expansion draft a year or two before they happen, example with the Kraken below.

In December 2018, the NHL approved a proposal by Seattle Hockey Partners to grant an expansion franchise to the city of Seattle. In July 2020, the Kraken's name and branding were revealed expansion draft happened in 2021.

So we're talking nearly three seasons ahead of time, I don't think we're even close to an expansion actually happening yet but if we do assume that it is too happen. Gally has three season left after this one and it's likely at most he'd have 1 year left. I could see them buy him out to protect the roster at that point but I think it's unlikely gallaghers a worry

 

[the valiant effort]

 

[schwang26]

Where's this coming from? They haven't had serious discussions about expansion recently as far as I know.

 

[Colezuki]

Where's this coming from? They haven't had serious discussions about expansion recently as far as I know.

They have had a lot of discussions, specifically they've talked about Atlanta, Houston, Salt Lake City, QC, TO-2, Kansas City to varying degrees of interest/low interest. It sounds like the most like destinations are Atlanta, houston and Salt Lake City right now.

 

[schwang26]

They have had a lot of discussions, specifically they've talked about Atlanta, Houston, Salt Lake City, QC, TO-2, Kansas City to varying degrees of interest/low interest. It sounds like the most like destinations are Atlanta, houston and Salt Lake City right now.

Ya but it seems those were mentioned only because Bettman was asked. If I remember from what he said, there were no serious talks.it was interest from the cities. They aren't planning on expanding again anytime soon. Especially with sagging attendance.

 

[DramaticGloveSave]

Can’t imagine the NHL becomes the first league in North America to expand beyond 32 teams.

 

[Redux91]

Who are you protecting knowing what you know today and if there is an expansion draft in 2026? I know this kind of talk is early but I do believe we are going to have another expansion draft. 2017, 2021, and I can certainly see another in 2026 ish.

Options to protect:

7F, 3D, 1G
or
8 skaters and 1G.

Hard to determine who will be exempt but I believe those are the guys with 2 years or less of pro years? Someone like Reinbacher would be exempt. His two season would be 24/25 and 25/26 if he starts next year with us. Could be a massive decision to not bring him over to the NHL this season. Hutson would be exempt as well. If there is an expansion draft in 2027, that would be a difficult situation IMO.

Players who would be exempt if it was in 2026: I believe this list includes players who have not played 40 NHL games in total by the end of this season. Basically, that's when the 1st RFA year kicks in.

* Reinbacher
* Hutson
* Roy and Mailloux (as long as they don't play 40 NHL games this year)
* Beck
* Engstrom
* Fowler
* Who else am I forgetting that is a B+ or grade A type?

Possible Protection List:

Caufield, Suzuki, Dach, Slaf, Roy, Newhook? Room for one more

Guhle, Xhekaj, Matheson? Not sure if Matheson is extended or not

Monty or Primeau

Possible players who could be exposed:
Barron
RHP
Ylonen
Anderson
Harris
Kova

No you don't get it
Gary's plan was always to get to this many teams
Now he's done it, and now he's content (especially the Vegas coup, and subsequent stanley cup they just got after 6 years existence)

Only way you'll see a 'new' team is relocation
Wont see an expansion draft again while Bettman is alive