The protected player lists were released today at 7:00 am Pacific time and based on who is available I will make my predictions for who will suit up for the Knights next year. Keep in mind that deals could be in place for Vegas or they could have talked to free agents and sign them. Vegas could have also acquired draft picks from teams if they were not to pick certain players. Vegas must reach a minimum of 14 forwards, nine defenceman and three goalies taking one player from each team. The next four players can be any position. Twenty of the players must be under contract and selected players must represent 60%-100% of salary for this upcoming season. None of the players can be bought out until the 2018 offseason either. This is a draft based that no trades have occurred to protect players but I presume teams such as the Ducks, Bluejackets and Islanders have trades in place.
Forwards:
Josh Anderson: Anderson is a young up-and-coming power forward who can score and those players can be hard to come by. This mix of goal scoring and physicality will be very interesting to Vegas if Columbus does not make a trade to protect him.
Mikkel Boedker: Fresh of a four-year $16-million contract, the speedy Boedker disappointed only scoring 10 goals for San Jose. He has proven he can score in the past and speed is vital in today's NHL making Vegas come calling.
Reid Boucher: In his short tenure with the Canucks, Boucher played decent and he is still young and has goal scoring potential. Vegas will want young players to fill up their AHL affiliate team and Boucher would fit that bill.
William Carrier: Another player who will serve the same purpose as Boucher, Carrier should be a reliable depth forward for when injuries occur and can help in the AHL. Carrier can play a two-way role for Chicago Wolves.
Michael Grabner: One of the fastest players in the NHL, Grabner can score and his speed just adds to his potential to help Vegas. He also only makes $1.650 million which would be a steal considering the 27 goals he potted last year.
Jonathan Marchessault: I can't believe Florida did not protect their 30-goal scorer who is paid less than $1 million per year, one of the biggest steals in the NHL. Marchessault should get top minutes and he still has potential at age 26 to grow.
Curtis McKenzie: McKenzie can be a good depth centre for the Knights as he has been for Dallas the past two seasons. McKenzie does not have much flash or potential but injuries will occur causing depth to be needed.
James Neal: The former 40-goal scorer will be the best forward on this team if he gets drafted fresh off of playing for the Stanley Cup. He can still be good for 30 goals and his veteran leadership could help the young players grow.
Brock Nelson: The Islanders decided to protect five defenceman and three forwards leaving their number two centre, Brock Nelson, available. The Islanders probably have a trade in place with Vegas but if not Nelson could be their number-one centre.
Joakim Nordstrom: A solid two-way centre, Nordstrom will provide much-needed depth and fourth-line time for the Knights. He struggles to score but Vegas should have enough goal scorers to fill the void Nordstrom cannot.
Cedric Paquette: Paquette is a very good fourth-line centre and penalty killer who can help keep the puck out of the net. He has played his whole career behind great forwards so it will be an adjustment to suit up with lower-tier players.
David Perron: Perron would be a good veteran to help mentor the young guys Vegas gets in the entry draft. Perron is also a versatile forward who could slot into any line where his skill is needed by coach Gerald Gallant.
Tyler Pitlick: Pitlick's career has been a slow one due to many missed games from injuries over the last years and was a healthy scratch because of Edmonton's depth. On a Vegas team looking for powerful wingers he could serve them a good purpose.
Bryan Rust: A key piece to the Penguins last two cups, this young gun is worth taking over goalie Marc-Andre Fleury. When Rust broke out in the playoffs two years ago many though he would spend much more time on Pittsburgh than the two years if drafted.
Kerby Rychel: Rychel has not lived up to the promise around him when drafted by Columbus and has spent considerable time in the AHL including last year for the Marlies. It is now are never for Rychel to crack a NHL team and a change of scenery could help his cause.
Nick Shore: Shore has played well for LA the last two years and could play third-line centre on the Knights. At only 24 years old, Shore still has time to improve his offence to add to his improving game.
Jordan Weal: Weal came on strong for Philly at the end of last season so he will entice Vegas based on that and age. Weal is an RFA so Vegas would probably only draft him if they knew he wanted to sign with them.
Defenceman:
Kevin Connauton: Vegas would be Connauton's fourth team in three years but he is an offensive defenceman who could play a bottom pairing role or in the AHL. Depth is needed at the defence position and Connauton provides that.
Brandon Davidson: Davidson looked good two years ago for the Oilers but last year was a disappointment so he was shipped off the Montreal for David Desharnais. The Canadiens don't need him so he will look to make a name for himself in sin city.
Matthew Dumba: The 22 year old will be a future superstar in this league and he is a no-brainer for Vegas even with 65-point man Eric Staal unprotected. Drafted seventh overall in 2012, Dumba still shows signs of the player who Minnesota drafted that high.
Deryk Engelland: Engelland is the only UFA on this list so Vegas would have to know they could sign him and I think they will because of Engelland's ties to Vegas. One of the toughest fighters in the league Engelland strikes fear into all opponents and could protect the young guns.
Tobias Enstrom: Enstrom has one year left on his $5.750-million contract and could be shipped off at the deadline for more draft picks. Enstrom has experience and would play top-four role which would be valuable to this young team.
Jon Merrill: The 25 year old has never played a full season so it is his time to make a NHL roster for a whole season and Vegas could do that for him. He could be mentored by veterans on the team like Enstrom, Engelland and Methot instead of Devils his own age.
Marc Methot: Methot is the perfect sidekick to Erik Karlsson in Ottawa so GM Pierre Dorion will be doing all it takes to keep him. Methot is a gritty shut down defenceman who can help keep pucks out of your net and play with anybody on the depth chart.
Trevor Van Riemsdyk: Van Riemsdyk has shown flashes in Chicago as their fourth defenceman and it is time for him to take his skills to a new up-and-coming team instead of a team that has won it all. He should continue to grow for McPhee in Vegas if chosen.
Sami Vatanen: The best defenceman available is Sami Vatanen for that reason Anaheim will be doing all it takes to keep him and Josh Manson. He is still only 25 and could patrol their blue line for 10 years to come.
Goalies:
Philipp Grubauer:
Grubauer has been a backup behind one of the league's best in Braden Holtby his whole career but when he has started his play has been good. He had a 2.05 GAA with a SP% of 0.926 which is better than lots of starters. Look for Grubauer to split time between the pipes if he gets drafted.
Petr Mrazek:
Detroit shocked everyone by protecting Jimmy Howard over Mrazek due to age as Mrazek is much younger and has showed flashes of brilliance. His stats were not good last year but lots of that could be due to playing behind a weak defensive core in Detroit.
Calvin Pickard:
Pickard's numbers were atrocious last year but that was playing behind the worst team in the NHL. He is still only 25 and goalies don't usually reach their prime until around age 28 so if he grows and Vegas makes a defensive core in front of him he could be their future net minder.
Malcolm Subban:
When Subban was drafted 24th overall in 2012, big things were expected and he has not lived up to those expectations posting a career 5.81 GAA and 0.727 SP% in two career NHL games. Only being 23 and with Boston having no other young talent available the gamble is worth it.
Other potential picks: Marc-Andre Fleury, Reilly Smith, Josh Manson, Antti Raanta, Paul Martin, Bobby Ryan, Colton Sissons, Karl Alzner, Lee Stempniak, Marcus Kruger, Jack Johnson, Joonas Korpisalo, William Karlsson, Cody Eakin, Eric Staal, Marco Scandella, Tomas Plekanec, Michael Cammalleri, Josh Bailey, Ryan Strome, Calvin De Haan.
Photo credit for James Neal goes to http://www.sportsnet.ca/. Sami Vatanen goes to http://www.espn.com/. Petr Mrazek goes to https://www.nhl.com/. Jonathan Marchessault goes to https://www.si.com/.
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