Ryan Wilson: Who Should My Team Protect In The Expansion Draft: Part 4 Who Should My Team Protect In The Expansion Draft: Part 4

first

Is Brady Shea (don't know how to spell it his way) not eligible to be taken? Was he still in NCAA in 2014-2015? Cus that's a huge break for NY if so.

lol Beau Bennett and Ben Lovejoy exposed

I cannot see a situation in which Zajac isn't exposed. For all Lovejoy is, he's a decent player on a decent contract. I dare Vegas to take Zajac.

I cannot see a situation in which Zajac isn't exposed. For all Lovejoy is, he's a decent player on a decent contract. I dare Vegas to take Zajac.
- willschulme

Its almost sad when a guy like Lovejoy is getting protected (and not because he has a NTC/NMC)

Its almost sad when a guy like Lovejoy is getting protected (and not because he has a NTC/NMC)
- DeflatedPucks

It's all in the strategy. Give it a few years

It's all in the strategy. Give it a few years
- willschulme

I really do wonder how Shero's going to fair actually building a team rather than trading assets willy nilly for rentals for a contender. He's never had to do that before. His ability at fleecing people in hockey trades could really shine as a team builder.

I really do wonder how Shero's going to fair actually building a team rather than trading assets willy nilly for rentals for a contender. He's never had to do that before. His ability at fleecing people in hockey trades could really shine as a team builder.
- Victoro311

He's done a stellar job at just that so far. Obviously Larsson for Hall. Palmieri for a 2nd and a 3rd was genius. Matteau for DSP was rock solid and getting a 2nd and a 4th(?) for Lee Stempniak is highway robbery.

His drafting, on the other hand, leaves a little to be desired

I'm confused, to my understanding the 2 options were 7F-3D-1G or 8 skaters + 1 goalie, does that mean that the 8 skaters has to be 4F-4D or could a team protect 3F-5D if they so choose? I ask because whenever people discuss the expansion draft they always cite either going 7F-3D or 4F-4D not 8 Skaters.

I'm confused, to my understanding the 2 options were 7F-3D-1G or 8 skaters + 1 goalie, does that mean that the 8 skaters has to be 4F-4D or could a team protect 3F-5D if they so choose? I ask because whenever people discuss the expansion draft they always cite either going 7F-3D or 4F-4D not 8 Skaters.
- jaydogg1974

Think about it. What team would have to protect more than four defensemen. That would just be odd.

Also, if you wish to protect that 4D, are you actually losing two protection spots by choosing to do so? I already know RW is going to advocate protecting DP tomorrow, but it would be really dumb IMO to expose three more forwards than we have to unless DP becomes a clear cut top 4 guy next year.

He's done a stellar job at just that so far. Obviously Larsson for Hall. Palmieri for a 2nd and a 3rd was genius. Matteau for DSP was rock solid and getting a 2nd and a 4th(?) for Lee Stempniak is highway robbery.

His drafting, on the other hand, leaves a little to be desired
- willschulme

He's a crazy trader. I don't know how he does it. If I were you guys, I'd keep him around for the the crazy trades to fast track the rebuild and then as soon as you're anything close to contenders fire his ass before he goes rental crazy.

He was an absolute garbage drafter here. That probably will never change.

He's a crazy trader. I don't know how he does it. If I were you guys, I'd keep him around for the the crazy trades to fast track the rebuild and then as soon as you're anything close to contenders fire his ass before he goes rental crazy.

He was an absolute garbage drafter here. That probably will never change.
- Victoro311

So far, I don't think he's been bad for NJ as far as drafting is concerned. For his first draft with us, Zacha seems solid and I was thrilled when he selected Blackwood and Speers. In this upcoming one, I wasn't thrilled or put off by anyone he picked. I think he should have drafted Brown over McLeod; but McLeod is solid in his own right. It's only been 2 years so far, and we went from having one of the worst prospect pools to a respectable one. Hopefully we keep trending upwards

He's a crazy trader. I don't know how he does it. If I were you guys, I'd keep him around for the the crazy trades to fast track the rebuild and then as soon as you're anything close to contenders fire his ass before he goes rental crazy.

He was an absolute garbage drafter here. That probably will never change.
- Victoro311

For rebuilding team drafting >>>> trading

the options are either 7 forwards 3 def 1 goalie or 8 skaters + 1 goalie. 8 skaters mean you can choose whoever you want so you can protect 8 forwards or 6 def 2 forwards or however you want but you lose 2 protection spots by choosing 8 skaters 1 goalie which is why alot of people are not doing it

So far, I don't think he's been bad for NJ as far as drafting is concerned. For his first draft with us, Zacha seems solid and I was thrilled when he selected Blackwood and Speers. In this upcoming one, I wasn't thrilled or put off by anyone he picked. I think he should have drafted Brown over McLeod; but McLeod is solid in his own right. It's only been 2 years so far, and we went from having one of the worst prospect pools to a respectable one. Hopefully we keep trending upwards
- IrischesGlueck

His drafting for us was largely a disaster. It's funny, this year was the first year where his draft picks have had any influence (Jordan Staal aside of course). It's one of the reason's we were always trading picks for rentals. If he improves in that area, he'll be fantastic for NJ.

His two flaws for Pittsburgh were drafting and his loyalty to Dan Bylsma. I'm 100% convinced we would have never sniffed another cup under those guys.

I still think Bylsma is highly over-rated.

Montreal had a problem scoring goals last season, Plekanec is a better player than given credit for.

For rebuilding team drafting >>>> trading
- sditulli

While true, when you can make the trades Shero does, it might be better than drafting. The guy consistently turns nothing into value. It's impressive.

While true, when you can make the trades Shero does, it might be better than drafting. The guy consistently turns nothing into value. It's impressive.
- Victoro311

I don't think trading will ever replace drafting for building a franchise. You can't rely on repeatedly fleecing a team in trades. Sure it happens occasionally, but not enough to build a team from scratch.

Shero drafted well in later rounds but he deferred to the scouting department for them. He only had like 4 first round picks the entire time he was here, Staal, Bennet, Pouliot, and Maatta. It's not his fault Bennet is made of porcelain, he is a decent player when he actually plays. Staal was good and trading him got us some valuable assets Bonino(by way of Sutter), Dumoulin, Puliot, Bjorkvist(by way of Sutter). Maatta and Pouliot hopefully hit their potential and still have time. They also got this Hall kid from the Bennet trade and even though he's a third round pick he looks pretty good. Drafting those 4 guys have given us in different tangents a good chunk of our team. And that doesn't even cover the fact that he drafted Murray, Jarry, Rust, Wilson, Sundvist, Guentzel, Blueger, etc etc. His draft legacy really isn't that bad. It's not as awful as say Brian Burkes.

Then again Rutherford had 2 later round picks from 2015 play their first games in the NHL in their first year of eligibility and that is impressive as well.

His drafting for us was largely a disaster. It's funny, this year was the first year where his draft picks have had any influence (Jordan Staal aside of course). It's one of the reason's we were always trading picks for rentals. If he improves in that area, he'll be fantastic for NJ.

His two flaws for Pittsburgh were drafting and his loyalty to Dan Bylsma. I'm 100% convinced we would have never sniffed another cup under those guys.

I still think Bylsma is highly over-rated.
- madmike71

I 100% agree with your views on his flaws. I moved to pittsburgh a couple of years ago and it amazed me that they kept Bylsma for so long. I would say that definitely cost him his job. and, unfortunately, his loyalty still seems like a big part of him considering most of our staff now are former penguins workers. However, our main scouting directer came from columbus; so I think he knew that drafting under the pens wasn't the best.

I cannot see a situation in which Zajac isn't exposed. For all Lovejoy is, he's a decent player on a decent contract. I dare Vegas to take Zajac.
- willschulme

I was thinking Zajac or Cammy may be exposed but LV would take them. They must hit cap floor.

Think about it. What team would have to protect more than four defensemen. That would just be odd.

Also, if you wish to protect that 4D, are you actually losing two protection spots by choosing to do so? I already know RW is going to advocate protecting DP tomorrow, but it would be really dumb IMO to expose three more forwards than we have to unless DP becomes a clear cut top 4 guy next year.
- Victoro311

Either way you lose 1 player you just get to protect less.

So its really a question of protecting your 5th forward or your 4th D. Number of spots irrelevant.

Either way you lose 1 player you just get to protect less.

So its really a question of protecting your 5th forward or your 4th D. Number of spots irrelevant.
- sditulli

Yeah I get that but we have three no brainer protection spots for Crosby, Malkin, and Kessel. After that we absolutely have to protect Hagelin, but I am almost positive management will prioritize protecting Hornqvist even if he's not extended, so we need more than four spots for forwards. If Hagelin gets exposed, assuming we figure out the goalie situation, he's gone and that'd be a really really bad loss.