Originally Posted by
chuckcouples
Interesting post Jouko. Well done. The expansion rules already exclude players who have missed the previous 60 games or who otherwise have been confirmed to have a career-threatening injury so Clarkson will not have to be protected. Teams will definitely have the ability to buy out players prior to the expansion draft.
I think the one guy most likely to be bought out in the middle of June is MA Fleury. He holds all the cards with the Penguins right now and the only way they can protect Murray is to buy him out. The only other option the Pens will have would be to retain half his salary and move him for almost nothing since the other teams know the Pens are in a bit of a bind.
Based on this season, I can see the Ducks exposing both Vatanen and Manson with them hoping that Vegas takes Vatanen. With Theodore and Montour waiting in the wings, the Ducks can easily replace Vatanen who is turning out to be a PP specialist who isn't even on the #1 PP anymore.
If I am Winnipeg, I am protecting only 4 forwards and not worrying about losing one of Perreault, Lowry, Dano, Armia or Copp (one of them can be protected). With Connor, Roslovic and Petan, the Jets will have no issue with losing a forward.