NHL Expansion: Ottawa Senators Protected List
Apr 26, 2015; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; National Hockey League commissioner Garry Bettman speaks the media prior to the start of game six between the Montreal Canadiens and Ottawa Senators in the first round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Canadian Tire Centre. The Canadiens won 1-0 and take the series 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports
With the NHL and Gary Bettman officially announcing an NHL expansion process, the NHL could expect a new team (or two) as early as the 2017-18 season. Of course, with expansion comes an expansion draft. Although rosters will shift heavily by then, a fun game to play is taking a look at the current roster and picking a protected list for each NHL team.
__
First, some rules. We are going with the most recent expansion draft rules. Meaning, for protected lists, Ottawa is allowed to protect: one goaltender, five defencemen, and nine forwards OR two goaltenders, three defencemen and seven forwards.
As well, players who are on ELC contracts do not need to be protected. Players who are pending RFA’s need to be protected.
In general, any player whose rights are held by an NHL team and is not on an ELC is eligible to be selected in the expansion draft.
Ottawa’s list:
With two good goaltenders in the crease, and a log-jam at forward and defence, as Bryan Murray, I am going with the second option and choosing to protect both goalies, 7 forwards, and 3 defenders.
Following those rules listed above, the Senators have three NHL level players who are automatically protected. That list is Matt Puempel, Curtis Lazar, and Cody Ceci. All are ineligible to be chosen in an expansion draft as of July 2nd, 2015 due to their ELC status.
So, if the NHL expansion draft were to happen tomorrow, here’s how I see Ottawa’s protected lists working out: Page 2: Forwards
Next: Senators Expansion Protected List: Forwards
More from SenShot
Marc 16, 2014; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators center Mika Zibanejad (93) during warmup prior to game against Colorado Avalanche at Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports
Forwards:
PROTECTED:
Bobby Ryan – A player Ottawa gave up three big assets for, signed to a long contract. Had a shaky end to the season, but projects upwards heading into 2015-16.
Kyle Turris – The team’s first line center on a very favourable contract.
Mark Stone – Newly signed RFA, requiring protection. Coming off a Calder worthy season with over 60 points. Only 22-years-old, projects to be a franchise player for quite some time.
Mike Hoffman – A pending RFA, led the team in goals. Projects to be a solid top 6 player for a while while using his incredible speed, especially in the newly formatted 3-on-3 OT.
Clarke MacArthur – An important piece to Ottawa’s top 6 who had ups and downs last season. Finished the year strong and is signed for 5 more seasons. Should remain in Ottawa, still among one of their top 7 forwards.
Jean-Gabriel Pageau – A speedy center, signed to a favourable deal. Should play in Ottawa’s depth units for quite some time. He remains in a Senators jersey.
Mika Zibanejad – ELC is up, Zibanejad is signed to his post RFA contract and requires protection. It’s a no-brainer to protect Zibanejad, who played well as a second-line center this past year.
UN-PROTECTED:
Alex Chiasson – A main piece received in the Jason Spezza trade. Didn’t display much in 15-16 and struggled mightily at times. He’s a piece you’d like to keep and hope does well for marketing reasons, but he cannot be justified being protected over any of the 7 listed above.
Colin Greening – A terrible contract, no longer an NHL player, Senators hope he is somehow selected.
Chris Neil – A somewhat reliable veteran, plays a grit game and does hold value. He’s likely selected, but cannot be protected by the Senators given the current situation.
Milan Michalek – A good player who displayed this past season that he can still play in an NHL’s top 6, if not surely a top 9. Has some speed and good hockey sense, but the 4 million dollar AAV leaves him
Zack Smith – Had 13 and 14 goal seasons, once looked like a proven, solid 3rd line center. Had a very, very rough year in 14-15 and is eligible to be selected in the NHL’s expansion draft.
Shane Prince – The most notable prospect who is eligible for selection given his non ELC status. There’s a good chance he’s taken as he is a young, speedy forward with high potential. The Senators just can’t afford to protect prince.
Others Eligible For Selection: Cole Schneider, Chris Wideman, Erik Condra, Eric O’Dell, Zach Stortini
Apr 2, 2015; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators defenseman Mark Methot (3) skates with the puck in the third period against the Tampa Bay Lightning at the Canadian Tire Centre. The Senators defeated the Lightning 2-1 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports
Defenders:
With three protected spots available and Cody Ceci secure, it’s not a hard choice for Ottawa to make their three protected picks.
PROTECTED:
Erik Karlsson – see: Norris Trophy
Marc Methot – With a new contract, Methot is back for 5 more years in a Senators uniform. He’s been the guy paired beside Karlsson for the last three seasons, and is the only other sure bet on Ottawa. Methot is protected.
Patrick Wiercioch – With a strong end to the season, Wiercioch finds himself on the protected list where just months before it seemed like Wiercioch could be on the move for a return as little as a 3rd round pick. It’s nice to see Wiercioch hold high potential again and with the Senators’ franchise. He’s protected.
UN-PROTECTED:
Chris Phillips – Now a veteran well past his prime, Phillips has a year left on his contract and with his NHL future in question, he isn’t held. Not a player you use a protect on, even if there are more than three.
Jared Cowen – Perhaps the toughest of the bunch to let go. The organization still holds out that Cowen will be a good player, but his current salary of over 3 million annually makes it easier to part ways with the now 24-year-old Cowen.
Mark Borowiecki – Boro is a good player and doesn’t usually make defensive gaffes. Of the 3 listed above, Borowiecki displayed the most consitency and effort last season although his ceiling is relatively low. A solid depth player, not worth a protection.
Chris Wideman – Wideman just inked a one-year, two-way deal and will likely start his season in the NHL. He holds high promise as the AHL’s defending defenceman of the year, but his lack of NHL experience means he isn’t protected.
Goalies:
With two goaltenders able to be protected, the decision here is easy.
PROTECTED:
Craig Anderson – A true number one goaltender who gives Ottawa a window of opportunity to compete. He’ll take you to the playoffs and will get through 82 games in a number one role.
Andrew Hammond – Not young, but beat out Robin Lehner for a spot. Matt O’Connor is the goaltender of the future, and although Hammond has a high ceiling, we haven’t seen enough of him to risk leaving him un protected nor bank on him to carry the team going forward.
__
There’s my projected protected list. Do you agree? In terms of the Senators, the overall log-jams at D and Forward make it easy to opt for the second option and protect two goalies.
There aren’t any hard choices to make, but players Jared Cowen and Alex Chiasson are young enough to draw interest while a vet like Milan Michalek could be a good top 6 piece on an expansion club.