Ride into battle with these Knights
Review-journal’s NHL writer offers his expansion draft
Who will the Golden Knights take Wednesday in the NHL Expansion Draft? Who knows? But here’s one man’s opinion as to who they should select, by position:
GOALTENDERS (5) Louis Domingue,
Arizona (6-3,
210, age 25, 31 GP, 3.08 GAA, .908 Sv.%, $1.05 million salary)
Goalies will be valuable assets and the Knights can move Dominique for some draft picks and a skater. He’s actually pretty good and maybe he gets a long look in training camp if the Knights decide not to trade him.
Colorado (6-1,
200, age 25, 50 GP, 2.98 GAA, .904 Sv%, $1 million salary)
He was a very good goalie on a very bad team. And for him, the Knights could be an upgrade in talent from the Avalanche. He’s also affordable and only 25. Could be the third goalie, for sure.
New York Rangers (6-0, 195, age 28, 30 GP, 2.26 GAA, .922 Sv%, $1 million salary)
Why him?: Here’s your backup goalie and proven starter should Marc-andre Fleury get hurt. The Rangers didn’t want to lose him, and if for some reason the Knights want to trade him, he’ll command a lot in return. Either way, it’s a win.
Philadelphia (61, 209, age 29, 28 GP, 2.82 GAA, .891 Sv%, $2.5 million salary)
George Mcphee drafted him when he was GM in Washington and he has had a well-traveled career (Capitals, Sabres, Islanders, Flyers). He’s a suitable backup and at $2.5 million, he might be affordable. Another who could be moved in a trade after the draft.
Pittsburgh (62, 180, age 32, 38 GP, 3.02 GAA, .909 Sv%, $5.75 million salary)
Here’s your starting goalie. Has three Stanley Cup rings, is a proven money goalie, commands the respect of his teammates and would be great in the community as an ambassador. His salary is money well spent.
Why him?: Calvin Pickard, Why him?: Antti Raanta, Michal Neuvirth, Why him?: Marc-andre Fleury, Why him?: DEFENSEMEN (10) Colin Miller,
Boston (6-1, 196, age 24, 61 GP, 6 G, 7 A, 13 Pts., $1 million salary)
The Bruins don’t have a lot of scoring available, but Miller is a right-handed shot defenseman, always a valued commodity in the NHL. He’s also just 24 and he can find a spot in Gerard Gallant’s lineup.
Chicago (6-2, 188, age 25, 58 GP, 5 G, 11 A, 16 Pts., $825,000 salary)
Because Vegas will have to take Marcus Kruger and his $3 million salary as part of the deal. Will bring a winning attitude having played for a Stanley Cup champion with the Blackhawks. As a bonus, he’s a right-handed shot.
Detroit (6-1, 200, age 23, 66 GP, 3 G, 9 A, 12 Pts., restricted free agent)
The Red Wings simply didn’t have room to protect him and he was considered one of their top prospects. He has tremendous upside at age 23 and the Knights won’t have to pay a ton of money for him (he made $715,000 last year).
Edmonton (6-4, 217, age 23, 54 GP with AHL Bakersfield, 7 G, 14 A 21 Pts., restricted free agent)
His NHL career has been a bust so far but the former No. 1 pick from 2012 (No. 4 overall by the Islanders) can use a fresh start and maybe he can regain the skills that made him a lottery pick not long ago. His cap hit was $863,333.
Los Angeles (64, 216, age 26, 49 GP, 2 G, 2 A, 4 Pts., $1.7 million salary)
The rumor of selecting Dustin Brown must’ve gone up in smoke, so why not take a stay-at-home defenseman who is going to make smart plays with the puck, block shots and provide some toughness?
Minnesota (6-0, 173,
Why him?: Trevor van Riemsdyk, Why him?: Xavier Ouellet, Why him?: Griffin Reinhart, Why him?: Brayden Mcnabb, Why him?: Matt Dumba,
age 22, 76 GP, 11 G, 23 A, 34 Pts., $2.55 million salary)
Like Detroit, the Wild couldn’t protect everyone. He’s a right-handed shot, can play on special teams and at age 22 his best hockey is still to come. An easy call assuming there’s no under-the-table deal lurking.
Ottawa (6-3, 228, age 31, 68 GP, 0 G, 12 A, 12 Pts., $4.9 million salary)
That’s a lot of money for a guy who blocks shots, clears out the front of the net and takes slashes across the hand from Sidney Crosby. He’s another who may find himself quickly traded.
Tampa Bay (6-2, 207, age 23, 35 GP, 0 G, 11 A, 11 Pts., restricted free agent)
A young, right-handed shot who can pass the puck and skate. He split time between the
NHL and AHL last season and when all was said and done, the Lightning simply didn’t have room to protect him.
Vancouver (6-2, 209, age 27, 82 GP, 2 G, 11 A, 13 Pts., $3.6 million salary)
He does enough things well on the blue line and can help kill penalties and win some battles in front of the net. He’s a former first-round pick (Philadelphia), and frankly the Canucks didn’t have a lot of unprotected players worth taking.
Washington (6-1, 194, age 25, 60 GP, 3 G, 14 A, 17 Pts., restricted free agent)
He was undrafted when George Mcphee signed him as a college free agent in 2012. He’s only 25 and he’s a terrific skater and puck-handler. He made $812,000 last year, so even with a bump in salary Vegas can afford him.
Why him?: Marc Methot, Why him?: Jake Dotchin, Why him?: Luca Sbisa, Why him?: Nate Schmidt, Why him?: FORWARDS (15) Logan Shaw,
Anaheim (6-3,
202, age 24, 55 GP, 3 G, 7 A, 10 Pts., $650,000 salary)
Yes Sami Vatanen and Josh Manson are available, but reportedly there’s a deal for not taking them. Shaw was playing on the third and fourth lines for the Ducks and
Why him?:
he’s good on faceoffs. He also comes cheap.
Buffalo (6-1,
204, age 22, 41 GP, 5 G, 3 A, 8 Pts., $689,167 salary)
One of the good young prospects in the Sabres’ system, he can skate and do the dirty work along the boards and in the corners. He has good size and work ethic.
Calgary (6-1, 183, age 22, 43 GP Stockton-ahl, 6 G, 11 A, 17 Pts., $832,500 salary)
This was a money call. Kris Versteeg and Michael Stone were available, but they had a much higher price tag. Poirier is a former first-round draft pick (No. 22 overall) and he’s just 22. If he doesn’t pan out, no harm, no foul.
Carolina (5-11, 195, age 34, 82 GP, 16 G, 24 A, 40 Pts., $2.5 million salary)
He’s going to give you double-digit goals and assists and he’ll be a leader in the locker room. Don’t let the fact he has played for 10 different NHL teams scare you. Guys like playing on his line.
Columbus (6-1, 189, age 24, 81 GP, 6 G, 19 A, 25 Pts., $1 million salary)
This is another deal situation where the Knights agreed not to take someone from the Blue Jackets in return for a No. 1 draft pick. Karlsson was available so he’s Vegas-bound. The 19 assists last year is an appealing stat.
Dallas (6-1,
195, age 24, 73 GP in 2015-16, 15 G, 14 A, 29 Pts., $700,000 salary)
Two reasons — the Knights are gambling he has recovered from knee surgery that kept him out all last year, plus he comes at a reasonable price. Compare that to, say, Cody Eakin, who scored just three goals last year and would’ve cost $3.85 million.
Florida (5-9, 174, age 26, 75 GP, 30 G, 21 A, 51 Pts., $750,000 salary)
He has everything the Knights want and need — youth, speed, scoring touch and affordability. Unless Mcphee cut a deal with Panthers GM Dale Tallon not to take this kid, if he’s not picked Wednesday, there should be an investigation.
Montreal (5-11, 196, age 34, 78 GP, 10 G, 18 A, 28 Pts., $6 million salary)
This was a very tough call. The $6 million scares you, especially given Plekanec is 34. But the other options with the Canadiens (Alex Radulov/andrei Markov) were equally expensive. Maybe the Knights can move Plekanec after the draft.
Nashville (6-2, 221, age 29, 70 GP, 23 G, 18 A, 41 Pts., $5 million salary)
Yes, that’s a lot of money, but remember we have to get to the $55 million floor, and this helps. He also can score and the Knights
William Carrier, Why him?: Emile Poirier, Why him?: Lee Stempniak, Why him?: William Karlsson, Why him?: Mattias Janmark, Why him?: Jonathan Marchessault, Why him?: Tomas Plekanec, Why him?: James Neal, Why him?:
need offense. Plus, he’ll bring that winning attitude from Nashville to the Knights’ locker room.
New Jersey (6-2, 195, age 25, 65 GP, 8 G, 11 A, 19 Pts., restricted free agent)
He made $725,000 last year, so he’s not going to cost a lot more to re-sign. He played on a team that struggled offensively and could be in a similar situation here. Honestly, there wasn’t a whole lot to choose off the Devils’ unprotected list.
New York Islanders (6-1, 225, age 30, 72 GP, 12 G, 11 A, 23 Pts., $4,187,500 salary)
There’s much confusion over the Vegas-isles deal situation. The latest word Monday afternoon had Kulemin going to the Knights and the Isles throwing in their first-round entry draft pick Friday (No. 15 overall). He’s a veteran guy who may work well with Vadim Shipachyov.
San Jose (6-0, 210, age 27, 81 GP, 10 G, 16 A, 28 Pts., $4 million salary)
If you want Joe Thornton or Patrick Marleau, you can wait until July 1 to take a run at them when free agency starts. He couldn’t crack the Sharks’ top six and maybe he gets that opportunity in Vegas. He still found a way to score in double digits.
St. Louis (6-0, 200, age 29, 82 GP, 18 G, 28 A, 46 Pts., $3.75 million salary)
Perron gives you experience and offense, two things the Knights can use. He doesn’t come cheap, but he’s an unrestricted free agent after the 2017-18 season, so for one year there’s cap room to bite the bullet on him.
Toronto (6-1, 203, age 22, 73 GP with AHL Toronto Marlies, 19 G, 33 A, 52 Pts., $832,500 salary)
The Leafs didn’t leave a lot of options, so why not roll the dice with a 22-year-old who was a first-round draft pick a few years ago (No. 19 by Columbus in 2013)? He’ll get an opportunity with the Knights.
Winnipeg (6-0,
198, age 22, 38 GP, 4 G, 7 A, 11 Pts., $850,000 salary)
He had an injury-plagued season last year, missing eight-plus weeks. The Jets re-signed him, then left him unprotected. For that price, he’s worth the gamble he can stay healthy and grow into a reliable professional winger.
Beau Bennett, Why him?: Nikolai Kulemin, Why him?: Mikkel Boedker, Why him?: David Perron, Why him?: Kerby Rychel, Why him?: Marko Dano, Why him?: TALLY By contract:
All but five (Xavier Ouellet, Griffin Reinhart, Beau Bennett, Jake Dotchin and Nate Schmidt) are under contract for 2017-18.
$57,616,667 (76.8 percent of $75 million salary cap).
(Key: Gp-games played; G-goals; A-assists; Pts.-points; Gaa-goals against average; Sv%-save percentage)
Contact Steve Carp at scarp@ reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913. Follow @stevecarprj on Twitter.
Total salary: