"Expansionistics" : It All Starts in Net

No MAF over Howard?

Great list Ed- that could make Vegas more competitive sooner than later -

No MAF over Howard?
- GstrangWondah

They are roughly they same caliber of goalie and PIT will have actual useful skaters available.

I guess Howard had a bit of a bounceback campaign this year compared to previous years... but I'm taking MAF if available via a trade (due to his NMC).

No MAF over Howard?
- GstrangWondah

LV will need to market around someone. Howard is an American and sellable to the fans. I think MAF will wind up in Cgy, Wpg, or Van.

They are roughly they same caliber of goalie and PIT will have actual useful skaters available.
- Feds91Stammer

Yea, I guess... I'd put MAF ahead of Howard in terms of quality (plus the cup ring and his recent play in the playoffs shows he's still got it in him). Who do you see Pitt leaving unprotected that's more valuable than MAF?

LV will need to market around someone. Howard is an American and sellable to the fans. I think MAF will wind up in Cgy, Wpg, or Van.
- Ed Stein

Wouldn't the most marketable goalie be the best goalie available? Not the best American goalie available?

It's arguable if MAF is better/worse than Howard, but I'm willing to bet that, wherever MAF lands next year (assuming it's not with the Pens), he's going to have a stellar year (gunna be a mighty big chip on that shoulder).

MAF already has a modified No trade clause so you are working under the assumption that he would be waiving that clause. If he does not then I'm sure that Matt Murray would be going to Las Vegas in a heart beat over Howard to be the starter. I could see the rest of this working out as you have it but if Murray is on the board it's not even close.

MAF already has a modified No trade clause so you are working under the assumption that he would be waiving that clause. If he does not then I'm sure that Matt Murray would be going to Las Vegas in a heart beat over Howard to be the starter. I could see the rest of this working out as you have it but if Murray is on the board it's not even close.
- Fustashio39

According to SportsNet:

"Fleury is the one who should expect to be dealt this off-season (he can submit a 12-team no-trade list) or be scooped up by Vegas in the expansion draft."
http://www.sportsnet.ca/h...ls-end-fleury-pittsburgh/

Not sure about the rules on that one, but SportsNet seems to suggest that he can be taken. Tbh though, I'll bet he'll waive for the chance to be a #1 guy.

Wouldn't the most marketable goalie be the best goalie available? Not the best American goalie available?

It's arguable if MAF is better/worse than Howard, but I'm willing to bet that, wherever MAF lands next year (assuming it's not with the Pens), he's going to have a stellar year (gunna be a mighty big chip on that shoulder).
- GstrangWondah

Somebody has to be the face of the franchise. I'm not saying MAF can't do it, just that Howard is an easier sell to a new hockey market.

MAF already has a modified No trade clause so you are working under the assumption that he would be waiving that clause. If he does not then I'm sure that Matt Murray would be going to Las Vegas in a heart beat over Howard to be the starter. I could see the rest of this working out as you have it but if Murray is on the board it's not even close.
- Fustashio39

Agreed, thats why I think MAF will waive and get traded to a better team than LV. If the Flames had someone of his caliber, they might still be alive in the playoffs.

According to SportsNet:

"Fleury is the one who should expect to be dealt this off-season (he can submit a 12-team no-trade list) or be scooped up by Vegas in the expansion draft."
http://www.sportsnet.ca/h...ls-end-fleury-pittsburgh/

Not sure about the rules on that one, but SportsNet seems to suggest that he can be taken. Tbh though, I'll bet he'll waive for the chance to be a #1 guy.
- GstrangWondah

Sportsnet is wrong in that article. MAF has a NMC with his modified NTC. He has to be protected in the expansion draft unless he waives it. Pittsburgh will trade him to one of the teams not on his no-trade list, or buy him out, before the expansion draft, but if he doesn't want to go to LV it's impossible for them to take him.

http://www.sportsnet.ca/h...-list-contains-surprises/

Sportsnet is wrong in that article. MAF has a NMC with his modified NTC. He has to be protected in the expansion draft unless he waives it. Pittsburgh will trade him to one of the teams not on his no-trade list, or buy him out, before the expansion draft, but if he doesn't want to go to LV it's impossible for them to take him.

http://www.sportsnet.ca/h...-list-contains-surprises/
- Antilles

sportsnet is the worst

It might be a good idea to read the expansion draft rules before writing articles about it.

Vegas can only draft 3 goalies. Not 5.

"* The Las Vegas franchise must select the following number of players at each position: 14 forwards, nine defensemen and three goaltenders."

- https://www.nhl.com/news/...n-draft-rules/c-281010592

It might be a good idea to read the expansion draft rules before writing articles about it.

Vegas can only draft 3 goalies. Not 5.

"* The Las Vegas franchise must select the following number of players at each position: 14 forwards, nine defensemen and three goaltenders."

- https://www.nhl.com/news/...n-draft-rules/c-281010592
- masterkotz

That is a minimum. 14+9+3 = 26, but thanks for the advice.

If they are smart they pick all the guys with value: Pickard, Raanta AND Grubauer and trade one of them. Will surely be a market there. I would stay away from Howard and use the money elsewhere (take on a bad contract f.i.).

If they want to compete right away Howard isn't a bad pick though.

Somebody has to be the face of the franchise. I'm not saying MAF can't do it, just that Howard is an easier sell to a new hockey market.
- Ed Stein

LV will have 30 faces of the franchises, whoever is in town that evening.

Some examples,

[insert star's name here] in town to take on the Knights

Stars include
Patrick Kane, Connor McJesus, Sid Crosby, Steven Stamkos, Ovi, etc. If you have ever watched a home Yotes game vs the Hawks, you have seen what we will have in LV. People will plan trips around their team in LV. I know I will...

LV will have 30 faces of the franchises, whoever is in town that evening.

Some examples,


- riozzo[insert star's name here] in town to take on the Knights

Stars include
Patrick Kane, Connor McJesus, Sid Crosby, Steven Stamkos, Ovi, etc. If you have ever watched a home Yotes game vs the Hawks, you have seen what we will have in LV. People will plan trips around their team in LV. I know I will...

That works up to a point. Look at Nashville, they have built a grassroots fanbase who are loyal. Then look at Arizona, who can't sell tickets. I'd go with the Nashville approach.

If they are smart they pick all the guys with value: Pickard, Raanta AND Grubauer and trade one of them. Will surely be a market there. I would stay away from Howard and use the money elsewhere (take on a bad contract f.i.).

If they want to compete right away Howard isn't a bad pick though.
- DutchSenators

There will be a short period of time where LV controls the goalie market.

There will be a short period of time where LV controls the goalie market.
- Ed Stein

i don't see much to gain from it. selling backup goalies won't net that much imo.

defensemen are in far more demand across the league. i'd overload taking dmen and selloff 4-5 dmen. they should be able to draft 13 decent dmen.

That is a minimum. 14+9+3 = 26, but thanks for the advice.
- Ed Stein