Expansion draft week to be busy

The first expansion draft in the salary-cap era has even the most seasoned NHL general managers unsure of what is going to happen.

“You expect the unexpected,” Toronto GM Lou Lamoriello said.

The most unpredictable and fascinating offseason in more than a decade has arrived. Uncertainty runs from the Vegas Golden Knights’ expansion draft next week through the New Jersey Devils’ decision with the top pick in the entry draft to a free-agent market that hinges significantly on how much the salary cap increases.

Trades could be coming fast and furious as Vegas GM George McPhee stockpiles assets in exchange for agreeing to select or not select players in the June 21 expansion draft. Teams have to decide whom to protect — seven forwards, three defenseman and a goaltender or eight skaters at any position and a goaltender — and there should be some roster juggling before protected lists must be submitted Saturday afternoon.

The back-to-back Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins have to make a quick decision with goaltender MarcAndre Fleury because they can’t afford to lose 23-year-old Matt Murray, who’s 22-9 in consecutive title runs with a 1.95 goals-against average and .928 save percentage and is under contract for three more years. Fleury has a no-movement clause in his contract so he must agree to waive it to be traded or exposed in the expansion draft.

Once all 30 protected lists are revealed Sunday, Vegas has a 72-hour window to negotiate with any unprotected restricted or unrestricted free agents and make its selections, which will be announced June 21.

Wednesday parade: The Penguins’ Stanley Cup-championship victory parade will be held Wednesday morning in downtown Pittsburgh.