Each day this week, we'll publish mock expansion keeper lists by division, beginning with the Atlantic. On Friday, we'll reveal our mock expansion Las Vegas Golden Knights team.
*NMC = No-movement clause
*All first- and second-year professionals, as well as all unsigned draft choices, will be exempt from selection (and will not be counted toward their club's applicable protection limits).
Boston Bruins
F
D
G
David Krejci (NMC)
Zdeno Chara
Tuukka Rask
Patrice Bergeron (NMC)
Torey Krug
David Backes (NMC)
Colin Miller
Brad Marchand
Matt Beleskey
David Pastrnak
Ryan Spooner
The Bruins risk losing 2012 first-round pick Malcolm Subban, although his minor-league development may not give Vegas much reason to slot him into one of its three goalie spots.
Buffalo Sabres
F
D
G
Ryan O'Reilly
Rasmus Ristolainen
Robin Lehner
Kyle Okposo (NMC)
Zach Bogosian
Evander Kane
Jake McCabe
Tyler Ennis
Zemgus Girgensons
Marcus Foligno
Johan Larsson
The decision-making process should not be difficult after yet another disappointing season in Buffalo. Keep the young, key players; expose the dead weight.
As loyal as the Red Wings are to players the club has developed, exposing Jimmy Howard, Niklas Kronwall, and Darren Helm is the right move at this point in the team's trajectory.
Florida Panthers
F
D
G
Aleksander Barkov
Keith Yandle (NMC)
Roberto Luongo
Vincent Trocheck
Jason Demers
Nick Bjugstad
Aaron Ekblad
Reilly Smith
Jonathan Huberdeau
Colton Sceviour
Jonathan Marchessault
Florida has a big decision to make in goal - protect Robert Luongo, whose durability seems to be fading, or the younger, cheaper, but less established James Reimer?
If Montreal can't come to terms on a contract extension with Alexander Radulov, he could very well be exposed, with Charles Hudon his likely replacement on this list.
Ottawa Senators
F
D
G
Mike Hoffman
Dion Phaneuf (NMC)
Craig Anderson
Zack Smith
Erik Karlsson
Derick Brassard
Cody Ceci
Mark Stone
Kyle Turris
Jean-Gabriel Pageau
Ryan Dzingel
The Senators can expose Bobby Ryan, who - despite being the highest-paid player on the team - does not have an NMC in his deal. Ditching that $7.25-million cap hit would be a gift, but it's unlikely to happen.
2012 first-round pick Slater Koekkoek hasn't emerged as a full-time NHL option with the Lightning, but could turn into a nice piece for the Golden Knights.
Toronto Maple Leafs
F
D
G
Nazem Kadri
Morgan Rielly
Frederik Andersen
James van Riemsdyk
Jake Gardiner
Tyler Bozak
Connor Carrick
Leo Komarov
Connor Brown
Josh Leivo
Brandon Leipsic
Despite a measure of unforeseen success this season, Toronto should remain focused on building and therefore protect younger (and cheaper) forwards like Josh Leivo and Brendan Leipsic over veterans such as Eric Fehr and Matt Martin.
(Photos courtesy: Action Images)
Copyright (C) 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.
