SB Nation / NHL Mock Expansion Draft - Part Four: compile a Panthers "Protected List"
by Donny Rivette on Aug 30, 2010 8:49 PM EDT
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Maybe next year, Pucky.
With the naming of Quebec City and Winnipeg to our "virtual" expansion commitee out of the way, the next vital step is upon us: choosing which Florida Panthers to protect from poaching by our newest league brethren.
When a consensus is reached among Cats fans later in the week, we'll submit our "Protected List" for use during the Expansion Draft to follow soon after. The draft should be a lot of fun to observe, and could prove fascinating to see what type of a market exists - if any - for those Panthers left dangling.
Read on for details...
In essence, make your selections (aka Protected List) and submit them in the comments section. Here's the drill (and big thanks to our pals at Nucks Misconduct for the layman's rundown):
- Teams can protect either 1 goalie, 5 defensemen and 9 forwards OR 2 goalies, 3 defensemen and 7 forwards.
- Each team must leave unprotected at least one defenseman who appeared in 40 games last season OR 70 games in the last two seasons combined.
- Each team must leave unprotected at least two forwards who appeared in 40 games last season OR 70 games in the last two seasons combined.
- Players who have not played 50 NHL games are automatically exempt.
And no, Tarnasky and Kreps are not available, while Shawn Matthias should indeed be listed.
A couple of items to keep in mind: contract year info could be of assistance in making a decision (check out CapGeek for that and salary stuff). Obviously, not every player left unprotected will end up being taken, so roll the dice if you so choose (hence my leaving McCabe and Stillman available; chances are slim an expansion club would select them given their salary/upcoming UFA status).
As well, a bundle of these guys haven't yet fullfilled the "50 NHL games" minimum, which makes life a lot easier for us. Lastly, you are not required to utilize the maximum number of players (the Cats aren't exactly stacked to the brim with assets considered untouchable). Onward...
My protected list (and remember, submit your own in the comments; all will be counted):
- F - Booth
- F - Dvorak
- F - Frolik
- F - Matthias
- F - Olesz (commence "rigorous" feedback)
- F - Reinprecht
- F - Weiss
- D - Allen
- D - Kulikov
- D - Wideman
- G - Vokoun
- G - Clemmensen
Let's hear yours, kids...and get 'em in soon.
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Hm. I’m not gonna lie, your list intrigues me. Dvorak and Olesz obviously. I don’t know if a player is taken in the entry draft, does that team negotiate a new contract or does his existing one come with him?
Of course, with so many of our “better” players having not yet hit 50 games, this makes this exercise a little easier. (Maybe better’s not the right word, how about… players with potential that we haven’t seen fail yet?) Do we even have a 3rd eligible goalie to choose from?
I really like Steve Bernier, and I’d probably keep McCabe over Allen. So I guess mine would look like…
* F – Booth
* F – Dvorak
* F – Frolik
* F – Matthias
* F – Bernier
* F – Stillman
* F – Weiss
* D – McCabe
* D – Kulikov
* D – Wideman
* G – Vokoun
* G – Clemmensen
Oh yea, Stillman over Reinprecht. Stillman still managed to produce in the second half of the year when everyone else around him was shutting it down or an AHL player. Reinprecht simply disappeared after November.
Sigh, looking through this briefly just made me realize how much of an enigma our team will be next year. Just trying to find 7 forwards worth protecting was a chore. I kept thinking “Booth Weiss Frolik…. there’s gotta be someone else, right?!?”
I don’t know if a player is taken in the entry draft, does that team negotiate a new contract or does his existing one come with him?
As we’re playing it here, things are simplified dramatically. A GREAT question, but I’m of the assumption that whatever contract the player currently holds transfers to the expansion club intact. Roll with that and I’ll check on it anyway.
Litter Box Cats - Your Panthers Colossus. Twitter me up @LitterBoxCats.
by Donny Rivette on Aug 30, 2010 10:59 PM EDT up reply actions
And the good folks in Vancouver are going to eat up that Bernier pick.
Litter Box Cats - Your Panthers Colossus. Twitter me up @LitterBoxCats.
by Donny Rivette on Aug 30, 2010 11:03 PM EDT up reply actions
Contract goes to the new team as is
In previous expansion drafts the new contract goes straight over much like a trade.
by saskpantherfan on Aug 30, 2010 11:07 PM EDT up reply actions
Big thanks, SPF. Nice save.
Litter Box Cats - Your Panthers Colossus. Twitter me up @LitterBoxCats.
by Donny Rivette on Aug 30, 2010 11:10 PM EDT up reply actions
Rhino: he was a beast for an extended period early, and has two years remaining. Stiller’s contract is a behemoth, regardless of production due to age/injury history/UFA status. My 2 cents.
Litter Box Cats - Your Panthers Colossus. Twitter me up @LitterBoxCats.
by Donny Rivette on Aug 30, 2010 11:09 PM EDT up reply actions
My only problem is Olesz….why not let them take that contract off our hands?
F – Booth
F – Weiss
F – Frolik
F – Matthias
F – Grabner
F – Dvorak
F – Reinprecht --who knows why
F – Dadonov
F – Higgins
D – Kulikov
D – McCabe
D – Wideman
D – Allen
D – Ellerby
G – Vokoun
We really dont need to protect Clemmensen, itll just make rook for Markstrom
Like the guy above said, it shouldnt be this hard to find 7 forwards to protect
Got a few doods not needing “protection” on account of less than 50 NHL games played: Grabner, Dadonov, Ellerby. And it certainly is that hard to find seven ;).
Litter Box Cats - Your Panthers Colossus. Twitter me up @LitterBoxCats.
by Donny Rivette on Aug 30, 2010 11:02 PM EDT up reply actions
Markstrom: I’ve got full faith but if Vokoun’s dealt at or before the deadline – and he will be – they’ll need a solid NHL regular in either the starting or backup position for the stretch. Marky and Plante don’t fill that bill.
Litter Box Cats - Your Panthers Colossus. Twitter me up @LitterBoxCats.
by Donny Rivette on Aug 30, 2010 11:07 PM EDT up reply actions
But with the VAST majority of teams taking the 1-goalie protected route, the two expansion teams will have the choice of almost 30 back-ups to pick from. A Clemmenson equivalent can still be had (right now) on the FA market. That likely isn’t to change in the case of a hypothetical expansion draft.
I gotta believe you guys would be better served protecting the extra D and forwards given the enigma that is your team?
If we don't get our sauce, we ain't watching the game!
Good analysis, Mike. I just can’t think of another D-man worth protecting, and would love to see a few of those contracts shipped out.
Litter Box Cats - Your Panthers Colossus. Twitter me up @LitterBoxCats.
by Donny Rivette on Aug 31, 2010 11:03 AM EDT up reply actions
I know but unless you’re convinced Clemmy is one of the top 4 backups in hockey, he’d still be on your team and so would the added forward and defensive depth.
I understand the logic, and we’re kicking around the merits of leaving Hannan and Liles unprotected for the same reason.
If we don't get our sauce, we ain't watching the game!
Within the right system (i.e. New Jersey) he is one of the top four in the league.
Litter Box Cats - Your Panthers Colossus. Twitter me up @LitterBoxCats.
by Donny Rivette on Aug 31, 2010 4:29 PM EDT up reply actions
But the expansion team isn’t likely to be New Jersey is my point. He’d likely still be a Cat after all the dust settled.
If we don't get our sauce, we ain't watching the game!
Most likely, yes.
Litter Box Cats - Your Panthers Colossus. Twitter me up @LitterBoxCats.
by Donny Rivette on Aug 31, 2010 8:20 PM EDT up reply actions
My picks
1 G
Tomas Vokoun 29 G 7/2/1976 195 6-0
5 D
Bryan McCabe 24 D 6/8/1975 220 6-2
Nathan Paetsch 0 D 3/30/1983 198 6-1
Mike Weaver 0 D 5/2/1978 182 5-9
Dennis Wideman 0 D 3/20/1983 196 6-0
Jordan Henry (Under NHL expansion he would be eligible)
9 F
Steve Bernier 0 RW 3/31/1985 216 6-2
Byron Bitz 12 RW 7/21/1984 215 6-5
David Booth 10 LW 11/24/1984 212 6-0
Radek Dvorak 14 RW 3/9/1977 200 6-2
Michael Frolik 67 RW 2/17/1988 185 6-1
Christopher Higgins 0 LW 6/2/1983 205 6-0
Shawn Matthias
Steven Reinprecht 27 C 5/7/1976 195 6-0
Stephen Weiss 9 C 4/3/1983 185 5-11
Vets Left Unprotected
Bryan Allen 5 D 8/21/1980 220 6-4
Rostislav Olesz 85 LW 10/10/1985 214 6-1
Cory Stillman 61 LW 12/20/1973 200 6-0
by saskpantherfan on Aug 30, 2010 11:13 PM EDT reply actions
A lot of one-year deals there. And Henry doesn’t meet the 50-game minimum, so he slides. Weaver was on my secondary list.
Litter Box Cats - Your Panthers Colossus. Twitter me up @LitterBoxCats.
by Donny Rivette on Aug 30, 2010 11:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Correct. I threw him in cause I couldnt think of anyone else really. However in the Wild/Jackets draft he woudl have been eligible as only unsigned picks and 1st and 2nd year players are exempt. But I understand now that is not in the rules for this.
by saskpantherfan on Aug 31, 2010 2:28 PM EDT up reply actions
Thankfully, too. Participation would be minimal if we hamstrung it with official expansion draft rules. Simplicity for simplicity’s sake.
Litter Box Cats - Your Panthers Colossus. Twitter me up @LitterBoxCats.
by Donny Rivette on Aug 31, 2010 4:31 PM EDT up reply actions
Nobody is considering leaving Vokoun unprotected? Is it simply to use as trade bait closer to the deadline?
If we don't get our sauce, we ain't watching the game!
Yep.
Litter Box Cats - Your Panthers Colossus. Twitter me up @LitterBoxCats.
by Donny Rivette on Aug 31, 2010 11:03 AM EDT up reply actions
Could say that for McCabe and Stiller as well, tho I left them open.
Litter Box Cats - Your Panthers Colossus. Twitter me up @LitterBoxCats.
by Donny Rivette on Aug 31, 2010 4:31 PM EDT up reply actions
Forwards:
Weiss (no-brainer imo)
Booth (no-brainer imo)
Frolik (no-brainer imo)
Olesz (Kid has talent, just has to show it)
Reasoner (Someone has to center the pk lines)
Higgins (One year deal, low risk for a potential high reward)
Dvorak (Fan favorite and hard worker)
Matthias (Could be a stud center)
Reinprecht (We’re pretty short at center)
Defensemen
Wideman (Hoping for a rebound year)
McCabe (Proven d-man)
Kulikov (no-brainer imo)
Allen (We need a DFD)
Goalie
Vokoun (no-brainer imo)
I left Clemmer off the list, there are enough goalies out there that we could scoop up for a backup and who knows if we’d actually lose Clemmer. I kind of like Olesz, or at least the potential he can have for scoring if he can put his game together.
Spot-on with Olesz: I don’t want to lose him for nothing. Jeez he’s only 24 and carries a decent contract – if he can produce consistently.
I’m willing to bet on him for purposes here.
Litter Box Cats - Your Panthers Colossus. Twitter me up @LitterBoxCats.
by Donny Rivette on Aug 31, 2010 4:33 PM EDT up reply actions
Come on folks - need your entries by Thursday a.m.
Litter Box Cats - Your Panthers Colossus. Twitter me up @LitterBoxCats.
In the next five years? Probably nil.
And it certainly won’t be to Quebec, though they do have a nice building on the drawing board. Got to think the Habs would vehemently oppose it, for whatever that may be worth.
Winnipeg’s building isn’t nearly large enough by league standards, and probably short on skyboxes (not certain though).
Just ponitificating…
Litter Box Cats - Your Panthers Colossus. Twitter me up @LitterBoxCats.
by Donny Rivette on Aug 31, 2010 5:13 PM EDT up reply actions
My Pics
G – Vokoun
G- Clemmensen
D – Kulikov
D – McCabe
D – Wideman
F – Booooooooooooth (sorry, just had to :-D)
F – Weiss
F – Frolik
F – Dvorak
F – Higgins
F – Reasoner
F – Matthias
G – Tomas Vokoun
D – Bryan Allen
D – Dmitry Kulikov
D – Dennis Wideman
D – Jason Garrison
D – Bryan McCabe
F – David Booth
F – Radek Dvorak
F- Michael Frolik
F – Rostislav Olesz
F – Stephen Weiss
F – Shawn Matthias
F – Byron Bitz
F – Mike Duco
F – Andrew Peters
LAST CALL...need your submissions by 10am Thursday
Litter Box Cats - Your Panthers Colossus. Twitter me up @LitterBoxCats.
Stephen Weiss
Steve Bernier
David Booth
Radek Dvorak
Michael Frolik
Christopher Higgins
Marty Reasoner
Steven Reinprecht
Rostislav Olesz
I hate the idea of protecting Olesz, because he’ll never be more than a third liner. But he has more upside for the Panthers in every aspect, including trade bait, than Stillman. I don’t envision Stillman having much more than a mid round pick for value presently, even at deadline time.
Bryan Allen
Dmitry Kulikov
Bryan McCabe
Dennis Wideman
Only four defensemen, because Paetsch doesn’t qualify for the 40 or 70 rule for the last two years. So that leaves Weaver as the odd man out.
Tomas Vokoun
Only Vokoun, because I think one of Niemi, Toskala, Theodore or Legace can be had for less money to stay in the NHL and be a back-up. If not, I’d be fine recalling Salak back from loan in Europe and rotating him with Markstrom, if need be, similar to what the Rangers ddi last season. Not that I’d expect Clemmensen to get taken anyways with some of the other potential names that could be left out there.
Thanks all! More to come in a bit...
Litter Box Cats - Your Panthers Colossus. Twitter me up @LitterBoxCats.
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Florida
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Washington
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