What’s in the cards for Vegas expansion draft?
Golden Knights will grab players from the 30 other NHL franchises this week
The time for talk is over.
George McPhee informed his fellow NHL general managers that Monday was the final day for discussions regarding trades and free agents.
According to the general manager of the expansion Vegas Golden Knights, the team’s brain trust will spend Tuesday making selections in the expansion draft. The team will then discuss its picks with the league before submitting final choices Wednesday morning.
In the process, McPhee has been encouraged by the reaction free agents and their representatives have shown when contacted by the Knights. Vegas has an exclusive window to sign free agents and is being active on that front.
“They have been very excited,” McPhee said Monday. “They have been delighted to hear from us and have been aggressive in trying to do things with us, so obviously that’s fantastic for this franchise.”
As for trades, the Knights could already have deals in place with the Chicago Blackhawks, New York Islanders, Columbus Blue Jackets and Anaheim Ducks to avoid picking certain players.
For an idea of what the Knights roster could look like, here’s a mock draft. The 2017-18 cap hits for each player are included.
GOALIES (4)
Marc-Andre Fleury, Penguins: US$5.8 million. 32-year-old would add personality and credibility to a fledgling franchise.
Antti Raanta, Rangers: US$1 million. A starter in waiting at 28? Could be trade fodder.
Philipp Grubauer, Capitals: RFA. Some scouts feel 25-year-old is ready to take the next step. Michal Neuvirth, Flyers: US$2.5 million. Like Raanta, he’s marketable trade bait.
DEFENCE (9)
Matt Dumba, Wild: US$2.55 million. So much upside for a kid who turns 25 next month. Marc Methot, Senators: US$4.9 million. Unless the Sens work out a deal, this defence-first vet could be the voice of experience on a young Vegas blue-line.
Colin Miller, Bruins: US$1 million. Is just 24, can skate and has a booming shot. Trevor van Riemsdyk, Blackhawks: US$825,000. Reportedly part of an agreed-upon deal. At 25, still hasn’t reached his potential.
John Merrill, Devils: US$1,137,500. Another young D-man who has nowhere near approached his ceiling.
Griffin Reinhart, Oilers: RFA. It’s too early to give up on a 23-yearold who was the fourth overall pick in the 2012 draft.
Xavier Ouellet, Red Wings: RFA. Averaged 17:58 of ice time in 66 games with Detroit last season. Turns 24 on July 24. Brayden McNabb, Kings: US$1.7 million. He’s six foot four and plays solid defence but doesn’t offer much offensive upside.
Jake Dotchin, Lightning: RFA. 23-year-old had 11 points in 33 games and saw time paired with Victor Hedman.
FORWARDS (17)
James Neal, Predators: US$5 million. Proven 30-goal scorer — something few expansion teams have had. Jonathan Marchessault, Panthers: US$750,000. Just 26, he set career highs in goals (30), assists (21) and points (51) in 2016-17.
Josh Bailey, Islanders: US$3.3 million. With Newsday reporting the Isles could have a deal that shields Brock Nelson, Ryan Strome and Calvin de Haan, the 27-year-old is a respectable alternative.
David Perron, Blues: US$3.75 million. A 46-point producer last season, Perron could fetch assets at the trade deadline.
Cody Eakin, Stars: US$3.85 million. 26-year-old had three consecutive 35-plus point seasons before his recovery from a knee injury limited him to 12 last season.
Marko Dano, Jets: US$850,000. A first-round pick of Columbus in 2013, he’s young — 22 — and fast. Mikhail Grigorenko, Avalanche: RFA. 23-year-old has better skills than he’s shown on the scoresheet. Alexander Burmistrov, Coyotes: RFA. The skilled eighth overall pick in the 2010 draft is inconsistent, but he’s only 25.
Mikkel Boedker, Sharks: US$4 million. Struggled last season, but it might be hard to pass up a speedy 27-year-old winger with 251 career NHL points.
Troy Brouwer, Flames: US$4.5 million. McPhee traded for the veteran when he was running the show in Washington. Charles Hudon, Canadiens: US$650,000: 22-year-old has 162 points in 297 AHL games and could wriggle into the Knights’ top six. William Karlsson, Blue Jackets: US$1 million. The Columbus Dispatch reported the Jackets will surrender a first-round pick for the Knights taking either Karlsson, 24, or left wing Matt Calvert, 27. Go with the younger guy.
Logan Shaw, Ducks: US$650,000: The 24-year-old centre is a viable candidate if a deal with Anaheim limits their options.
Brendan Gaunce, Canucks: RFA. Vegas will be a place for projects and this 22-year-old is one. Kerby Rychel, Maple Leafs: US$863,333. Selected 19th overall in 2013, there also is speculation the Panthers might be interested in trading for him. William Carrier, Sabres: US$689,167. Needs to learn how to finish but, at 22, has speed and skill to cause havoc. Joakim Nordstrom, Hurricanes: US$1.275 million. He’s 25 and he has plenty of speed, but collecting points remains a question.