Matt Ross: FLA Protected/Available List Released

I was a bit shocked of marchment over vatrano

I was a bit shocked of marchment over vatrano
- Shynes57

I feel like they could have went either way with those two.

Marchy stood out in the playoffs to me. Felt like he took a next step.

But I love me some Frank “Shoot First” Vatarno

Why Frank "theTank " ? Another Reilly Smith ?

MM only a bit player !!

They won't take Gudas. They have a coach that doesn't like physical play. If Gallant was their coach, they would take Gudas. If they don't take Dreidger, they will take a player like Markus Nutivaara.

I feel like they could have went either way with those two.

Marchy stood out in the playoffs to me. Felt like he took a next step.

But I love me some Frank “Shoot First” Vatarno
- Matt Ross

Marchment cemented this decision with his showing in the playoffs, imo. I think there are players already in the system that can fill the Tank’s spot, and it wouldn’t be the worst thing to have the cap space. Maybe Frankie keeps Seattle away from Gudas or even Acciari, if Driedger isn’t taken as predicted. It would be nice if the prediction is correct and Driedger counts as our player taken, but losing Tank Vatrano one year before he needs new contract shouldn’t be a major setback.

Panthers' protection list doesn't really surprise me. I could go either way on Marchment vs Vatrano vs Acciari. I don't want to lose any of them. Driedger would be best case scenario for Panthers, second best would be Wennberg.

Actually, I'm more surprised that Pittsburgh protected Mike Matheson; didn't see that coming.

BTW, everyone was worried about losing Dadanov and Hoffman last year. Both players were exposed and not selected for protection. And, Chicago protected Borgstrom and Stillman.

Go Panthers!

Yes if we only lose driedger whom we were going to part with anyway i would call that a successful draft. Doesnt lose us any salary though

Matt if jack eichel is truely available is there anyone on the panthers you wouldn’t include in a trade with Buffalo?

Matt if jack eichel is truely available is there anyone on the panthers you wouldn’t include in a trade with Buffalo?
- harveykline

Hey Harv -

I know you’ll think I’m crazy, but I’m not sure I would want want to make a trade for him.

Sounds like Seattle is signing Driedger to a 3-year, $10.5M contract.

$3.5M AAV

They won't take Gudas. They have a coach that doesn't like physical play. If Gallant was their coach, they would take Gudas. If they don't take Dreidger, they will take a player like Markus Nutivaara.
- madhatter56

Imo they left a goal scorer exposed so they don’t take Gudas. Hak loves physical play, FYI. Fortunately they have some young guns in the pipeline with Denisenko and Lundell.