Vegas Golden Knights

The Vegas Golden Knights finally selected their team on Wednesday night announcing 10 trades as well. They took 14 forwards, 13 defenceman, and three goalies in the process. I will share my thoughts on the trades and picks that happened during the awards show. Overall I think George McPhee should have taken a young defenceman like Sami Vatanen and Matt Dumba instead of trading for draft picks to not pick them. They have a starting goalie but the rest of the team is weak. James Neal and Jonathan Marchessault will be able to score but after that nobody has proven 30-goal seasons. The defence is old and will be too slow to keep up to the pace of today's game.

Trades:



Golden Knights Receive: Reilly Smith
Panthers Receive: 2018 4th Round Pick

This is a good trade for the Knights as they only give up a 4th round pick to get a proven 25-goal scorer who is still only 26 years old. Smith should slot in somewhere on the first or second line with teammate Jonathan Marchessault.

Golden Knights Receive: 2017 6th Round Draft Pick
Sabres Receive: Expansion Draft Considerations

Considering the Sabres had no good players to select from, I wonder who Buffalo wanted to keep protected. Selecting William Carrier was probably what McPhee was going to do anyways so it gives them an extra pick.

Golden Knights Receive: 2017 5th Round Pick
Hurricanes Receive: Expansion Draft Considerations

This traded pick was likely used to protect players such as Lee Stempniak or Phillip Di Giuseppe. Its only a fifth-round pick and considering they got Brickley, I would have taken one of the other two.

Golden Knights Receive: Nikita Gusev, 2018 4th Round Pick, 2017 2nd Round Pick
Lightning Receive: Expansion Draft Considerations 

Steve Yzerman probably made this trade to make sure that George McPhee took Jason Garrison's high salary. Since Garrison is one of the better defenceman drafted and Tampa freed up that cap space it is a win-win for both teams.

Golden Knights Receive: Mikhail Grabovski, Jake Bischoff, 2017 1st Round Pick, 2019 2nd Round Pick
Islanders Receive: Expansion Draft Considerations

The Islanders did this so they could protect one of their better players in Brock Nelson as well as other such as Josh Bailey. They saved the salary dumping Mikhail Grabovski's contract but because they protected five defenceman they lost the deal.

Ducks Receive: Expansion Draft Considerations
Golden Knights Receive: Shea Theodore

Shea Theodore is a great young defenceman but how do you pass on Sami Vatanen who is also young but has proven himself already. Especially when this move helps your division rival in the Ducks and you get stuck with a player like Clayton Stoner.

Bluejackets Receive; Expansion Draft Considerations 
Golden Knights Receive: David Clarkson, 2017 1st Round Pick, 2019 2nd Round Pick

The Jackets wanted Vegas to leave alone Josh Anderson and Joonas Korpisalo so they gave up a couple picks. Those players are not worth that much but because they lost David Clarkson's ridiculous contract both teams win.

Golden Knights Receive: 2017 1st Round Pick, 2019 3rd Round Pick
Jets Receive: 2017 1st Round Pick

The Jets may have wanted Vegas to leave alone veteran Tobias Enstrom and dynamic young forward Marko Dano. The Golden Knights got three picks in the top 15 now making them the king of the draft.

Golden Knights Receive: Alex Tuch
Wild Receive: 2017 or 2018 Conditional 3rd Round Pick

Another great young defenceman in Matt Dumba was passed up by the Knights. These guys are too young and too good to not have been chosen even. Alex Tuch is a good prospect but if the Wild did cough up to protect Dumba, they could have taken Marco Scandella.

Golden Knights Receive: 2020 2nd Round Pick
Penguins Receive: Expansion Draft Considerations

After 12 seasons and three cups in Pittsburgh, it's time for Marc-Andre Fleury and the Penguins to go their own ways. The Penguins kept Bryan Rust in this process plus Murray will get many more starts. In return, Vegas gets a starting goalie.

Forwards:



Pierre-Edouard Bellemare: Over the last three seasons Bellemare has been a key part of the Flyers and he will be missed by the Broad Street Bullies. Bellemare led France to an upset win over Canada at the World Hockey Championships and will hope to pull off more of those in Sin City.

Connor Brickley: The 25 year old has still yet to play over 23 NHL games in the NHL and it is make or break it time. He has never been in a better spot to make a NHL team than on Vegas because every player is on even ground.

William Carrier: Carrier is only 22 which is still young and has time before he needs to make the full leap to the NHL. If Carrier makes the squad he will prove to be a good depth forward but if not he will help in Chicago. Before he makes the NHL he will need to be a better scorer.

Cody Eakin: Eakin may be the first-line centre on this team and that is a scary thought considering he only got 12 points with all-star Jamie Benn as his primary line mate. Eakin was originally drafted by McPhee and he will bring his two-way game to Vegas.

Erik Haula: Haula is good but this pick should be for future all-star defenceman Matt Dumba or Marco Scandella. Haula will be given a larger role than in Minnesota and will be able to play on any line he is asked to.

William Karlsson: This penalty-killing specialist will be given a much larger role with the Knights than was ever possible on a deep Columbus team. Watch for Karlsson to surpass his career high of 25 points and push for 40.

Brendan Leipsic: After being part of the Cody Franson trade, this goal scorer has spent the last four seasons with the Marlies in the AHL. If Leipsic makes the team look out for him to make a push for a 15-goal season.

Oscar Lindberg: Lindberg better live up to expectations after passing on Antti Raanta and Michael Grabner. In two seasons he has shown flashes putting up 48 points in 134 games. Watch for him to make the biggest leap of all players for the Golden Knights.

Jonathan Marchessault: Marchessault will have to prove last season was not a fluke after putting up 30 goals in his first season in Sunrise, Florida. He will be asked to lead this team offensively with James Neal. If they stand a chance he will to push past last year's numbers.

James Neal: Neal will probably wear the C in Vegas as he teams up with former teammate Marc-Andre Fleury in Nevada. His 40-goal seasons are past him but will need to up his goal total from 23 to at least 30 for a competitive season from Vegas.

Tomas Nosek: The young Czech only has one point in 17 career NHL games and it might stay that way as it is more than likely he heads to the AHL. Nosek will probably be the leading goal scorer for the Wolves if he does not crack the NHL roster.

David Perron: Perron will be asked to mentor the young players after putting up 18 goals and 46 points in St Louis. Watch for a slight increase in production as Perron will slot up in the top six forwards and may be a first liner.

Teemu Pulkkinen: At age 25, Pulkkinen has already played the Redwings, Wild and Coyotes making the Golden Knights his fourth franchise. Pulkkinen has shown flashes of being able to score at the NHL level and will have a chance to prove it next year.

Chris Thorburn: Thorburn was one of the more shocking picks in the draft and he along with Deryk Engelland will serve to protect the rest of the team. The all-time leader in Jets games played career is coming to an end as the enforcer continues to slowly die out.

Defenceman:



Alexei Emelin: Emelin is on the trade block and may never lace up the skates for the NHL's newest franchise. Emelin can play a dirty style of throwback hockey and many teams will come calling as Vegas needs to trade a couple of their defenceman.

Deryk Engelland: Vegas has been Deryk Engelland's home for the past 12 years in the offseason as he returns to the city of his ECHL days. Engelland will drop the mitts with anyone and will wear a letter in possibly his last season.

Jason Garrison: Garrison has moved around a lot after never living up to the hype of his game when he went to Vancouver. He should still be a valuable asset to this team and will help run the power play smoothly.

Brayden McNabb: McNabb will bring physicality to this team but it seems like they have too much of that and need more puck-moving defenceman. At 6 feet 4 inches tall, McNabb defensive game will stand out in Vegas.

Jon Merrill: Merrill has lots of potential and he will finally have a chance to showcase it in the NHL. He has never played over 66 games in a season but even if he plays a depth role this year, next season will be the one he breaks out.

Marc Methot: Many teams are looking to acquire Methot's services and that is easy to see after playing along Erik Karlsson for the past five seasons. Methot is an elite shutdown defenceman who will improve any contender's defensive core.

Colin Miller: Many were skeptical when Boston protected Kevan Miller instead of Colin Miller and McPhee made sure to snag him up when he was available. Miller will likely play a bottom-pairing role for Vegas next season.

Griffin Reinhart: After never living up to the fourth-overall pick potential, Reinhart has spent three seasons in the AHL. Another year in the AHL will be good for Reinhart and it will likely be that way as Vegas has way too many defenceman.

Luca Sbisa: The worst pick of the draft was Luca Sbisa; his possession numbers are horrific and he makes $3.6 million. There is a reason the Ducks did not want him and Vegas has been trying to trade him back to Vancouver clearly not wanting him either.

David Schlemko: Schlemko could actually play for this team but instead they shipped him off for a fifth round pick that likely amount to nothing. I don't get why they drafted Schlemko to trade him for nothing if players like Paul Martin and Mikkel Boedker were available.

Nate Schmidt: Schmidt has shown flashes in DC but never really got a chance because of their loaded defensive core. He will get his chance to prove himself next year and at only 25 years old, his old general manager made sure not to pass him up.

Clayton Stoner: Another horrible trade that was most likely caused because of a trade made with the Ducks. They could have had a player like Sami Vatanen or Josh Manson but instead got stuck with Stoner and his bad contract.

Trevor Van Riemsdyk: Since he got drafted by the Knights, Van Riemsdyk has been flipped to Carolina for a second round pick. Van Riemsdyk was Chiacgo's best player available and they got a decent pick for him.

Goalies:



Jean-Francois Berube: Berube can be a solid backup in the future but for now will start with Chicago in the AHL. He did spend half of last year backing up Thomas Greiss after Jaroslav Halak was sent to the Bridgeport Sound Tigers.

Marc-Andre Fleury: Whatever Vegas does this year will depend on their starting goalie Fleury and how he plays. If he plays bad, Vegas will be in contention for the first overall pick; but if he plays like he did vs Washington, they might be able to contend.

Calvin Pickard: It's hard to judge Pickard based on last year because of how bad the team around him was. For now Pickard will be the reliable backup to Fleury and may be an elite starting goalie in this league for Vegas or someone else.

Photo Credit for Marc-Andre Fleury, Cody Eakin and Shea Theodore goes to https://www.nhl.com/. Marc Methot goes to http://www.tsn.ca/.

Projected Vegas Golden Knights Roster

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/.

NHL Trade Opinions

There have been six recent trades in the NHL that have to do with the expansion draft and I am going to recap them all with my opinion on who won the trade. Some of these trades if not all of them might not have happened if there was no expansion draft.

Capitals receive: Tyler Graovac
Wild receive: 2018 5th round pick

This trade was based on the expansion draft as the Capitals traded for Graovac so they could protect two of Tom Wilson, Lars Eller and Jay Beagle. They needed to leave two forwards unprotected who have played 70 career NHL games or 40 games last year and Graovac reached those requirements. The Wild did not use Graovac much and he was most likely not going to make the roster. Graovac will probably not be taken in the draft and could compete for fourth-line minutes.

Winner: Capitals

Canadiens receive: Jonathan Drouin, 2018 6th round pick (conditional)
Lightning receive: Mikhail Sergachev, 2018 2nd round pick (conditional)

Jonathan Drouin is a star in the making and will help the Montreal team which has struggled to score goals the last couple of seasons. Drouin has been the centre of trade rumors ever since he was banished to the AHL in 2014/15 and has not got along well with Steve Yzerman and management since. The expansion draft played a part in this trade too as Tampa wanted to protect someone young such as Vladislav Namestnikov. Mikhail Sergachev is a great young defenceman who will one day turn into a star so the Bolts got good return on the trade.

Winner: Canadiens



Coyotes receive: Nick Cousins, Merrick Madsen
Flyers receive: Brendan Warren, 2018 5th round pick

Nick Cousins could be a solid fourth-line centre for the rebuilding Coyotes as he was a solid depth forward for the Flyers last season. The Flyers likely want to play guys like Scott Laughton, Jordan Weal and Taylor Leier ahead of him and that is why the trade was made. The Flyers might have also thought Cousins could be lost in the upcoming expansion draft.

Winner: Coyotes

Canadiens receive: 2017 3rd round pick
Sabres receive: Nathan Beaulieu

The Canadiens most likely got rid of this young defenceman because they wanted to protect Alexei Emelin and thought Vegas would snag Beaulieu. The Sabres defence needs a lot of work after Rasmus Ristolainen and Bealieu will be able to play top four minutes. The Sabres had no defenceman to protect after Ristolainen and Jake McCabe and will probably hope for Zach Bogosian to be picked as he has disappointed since his trade from Winnipeg.

Winner: Sabres

Coyotes receive: Chad Johnson, Brandon Hickey, 3rd round pick (conditional)
Flames receive: Mike Smith

Brian Elliott was a huge disappointment for Calgary last year so Flames GM Brad Treliving decided to do something about it. Mike Smith is 35 and makes $5.66 million for two more years, some of it being retained by Arizona but he made the all-star team last year and his puck-moving ability will help this up-and-coming Flames team. John Chayka probably wanted to protect Louis Domingue because he will continue to improve and quite possibly will be a solid starter one day. Considering the Flames only gave up a 3rd, Chad Johnson who is a UFA and was not likely to be resigned as well as defensive prospect Brandon Hickey who has shown decent potential makes the move worth it.

Winner: Flames




Devils receive: Mirco Mueller, 2017 5th round pick
Sharks receive: 2017 2nd round pick, 2017 4th round pick

Mirco Mueller was once a very promising prospect for the Sharks but he no longer shows that same flash to be a top defenceman. That aside he still has decent top four potential and Doug Wilson in San Jose made this trade because Vegas will be looking for young defenceman. The Devils defence needs lots of work and getting a young defenceman who should crack the team next year is a good investment for them.

Winner: Devils

Photo credit for Jonathan Drouin photo goes to http://www.tsn.ca/ and credit for Mike Smith goes to http://www.cbssports.com/

Calgary Flames Expansion Draft Preview

The first NHL expansion draft in the salary cap era is coming up this week and teams will need to submit their protected players list tomorrow on Saturday. The Vegas Golden Knights will then have three days to pick and submit their roster to be announced on Wednesday night during the NHL awards ceremony. I will make predictions for the NHL team I am most familiar with, the Calgary Flames. I think the Flames will take the 7/3/1 route instead of the 8/1 route because they have more than four forwards to protect and only three defenseman signed worth protecting. The Flames have no trade clauses that will get in the way and future stars such as Matthew Tkachuk will not need protection.



Forwards:

The Flames have some forward locks who will be protected for sure and some question marks for who the last forwards will be. Johnny Gaudreau is coming off an off year but he is still the Flames best player and has the upside to get point per game seasons and be among the league's top scorers. Having only played one year out of his six-year contract he will remain a Flame for a long time to come. Another guarantee will be their number one centre Sean Monahan who started the year off weak but was their best player in their four game series vs the Ducks scoring a goal in every game. Monahan could be a 40 goal scorer in the near future with Johnny Hockey on his line. Mikael Backlund was probably the Flames best forward all season and was even considered to possibly be nominated for the Selke trophy. With a very reasonable $3.575-million cap hit will definitely mean protection for this underrated two-way centre. Backlund's right-wing Michael Frolik will also be a no brainer due to his two-way game and the possibility of 20-goal, 40-point campaigns. Gritty Micheal Ferland looked great on the top line in the final stretch and his physical get-in-your-face game makes it a easy decision to keep him. He is still a young player who will continue to improve. Trade rumors have swirled around former fourth overall pick Sam Bennett but he will be protected because of his potential and young age or even just for the possibility of a trade. Bennett has been a disappointment since being drafted except for the playoffs vs the Canucks but to remain on this team much longer he will need to step up his underachieving play. The last forward spot could be any one of Troy Brouwer, Alex Chiasson, Matt Stajan, Lance Bouma, Curtis Lazar, Hunter Shinkaruk, or Emile Poirier. I think because of Stajan's and Bouma's contract/age they will go unprotected. Brouwer was brought in for leadership but underachieved.With three years left on this contract, he might be the one Treliving wants to get picked for Las Vegas. Shinkaruk and Poirier spent last year in the AHL so it most likely won't be them which would leave Lazar or Chiasson. Chiasson is a better player now but may have reached his full potential. Lazar was just traded for at the deadline and is much younger so I think he may be the chosen player. Kris Versteeg played well in his first season with the Flames but is a UFA and will remain that until after the draft.



Defenseman:

This is the easiest decision for the Flames as they have three very good defenseman who are locks to be protected. Their captain and one of the best defenceman in the NHL, Mark Giordano is up there in age but still plays exceptional so he will be back to anchor the defence for another year. Dougie Hamilton broke out last season after a disappointing first year in Calgary and along side Giordano posted some of the best stats ever by a defence pairing. The last one will be TJ Brodie who is a great skater and passer but lacks some of the offensive flair the other two have. That leaves UFA's Michael Stone, Dennis Wideman and enforcer Deryk Engelland as well as late season addition Matt Bartkowski unprotected.

Goalies:

The Flames don't want either Brian Elliott or Chad Johnson to return but they will have to sign one tomorrow or trade for a goalie to meet the expansion requirements. They signed Tom McCollum to a contract to meet the requirements but will need to choose one of the other two to protect. I think it will be Johnson because he is a decent backup and they won't need to pay him over $2 million to stay in his hometown. The Flames will explore other options over Brian Elliott such as Marc-Andre Fleury or Mike Smith. The Flames might just go with goalie-of-the-future Jon Gillies as the starter next year after a great first game vs the Kings this year.

Who Will Vegas Pick?

Michael Stone is the best unprotected player but is a UFA so most likely it won't be him unless they know he will sign with them. Troy Brouwer has connections to GM George McPhee but he carries a large cap. I think the most likely options will either be Shinkaruk or Chiasson but I would bet on Chiasson. He brings size, is only 26 years old and could possibly play anywhere on the depth chart. Shinkaruk and Poirier are young but have yet to prove themselves enough to make a NHL roster. Watch for Engelland to be a free agent target of Vegas as in 2004 he played for Vegas's ECHL team and his wife currently lives there. Either way Calgary is likely not to lose a big part of their team.

Photo credit goes to https://www.nhl.com/flames/ for both photos