For expansion team, lots of good choices
With the protected lists now available, the Vegas Golden Knights have until 10 a.m. ET Wednesday to determine which player they will draft from the 30 other NHL teams. Here are 10 players who are too good to be on the available list for the expansion draft. 1. Defenseman Sami Vatanen, Anaheim Ducks: A 26year-old top-pairing puck mover; power-play catalyst who can log 22-plus minutes a game; can be a foundation player. It is presumed the Ducks have completed a deal with the Golden Knights about whom their expansion pick will — or won’t — be. The Ducks have a surplus on defense and might be trading Vatanen even if he doesn’t end up with the Golden Knights. 2. Goalie Marc Andre Fleury, Pittsburgh Penguins: Of the available goalies, he’s the most accomplished. Vegas general manager George McPhee knows him well, because McPhee’s former team, the Washington Capitals, were in the same conference. If he’s not the Golden Knights’ No. 1 next season, Fleury will be the No. 1 in Winnipeg, Philadelphia or even Buffalo. 3. Right wing James Neal, Nashville Predators: Has scored 40 goals in a season and has tallied 20 or more goals nine times; only 29. 4. Defenseman Matt Dumba, Minnesota Wild: GM Chuck Fletcher opted to place Jonas Brodin on the protected list and expose Dumba, who has more offensive potential. Dumba scored 11 goals last season. He could mature into an offensive force capable of producing 40 or more points a season. Some might argue Marco Scandella, also available, might be more desirable than Dumba. 5. Center Jonathan Marchessault, Florida Panthers: The 26-year-old proved he can play in the NHL by scoring 30 goals last season; smallish player with creative flair; in this era of limited scoring, his skill level is hard to ignore. New6. York Forward Islanders: Brock He Nelson,is 6-3, and can play center and wing; has averaged 22 goals over the last three seasons; he’s 25 with his best seasons ahead; will still be in his prime when the Golden Knights start to become more competitive. 7. Goalie Petr Mrazek, Detroit Red Wings: His availability has to be considered one of the bigger surprises of the draft; he’s 25, with the potential to be a difference-maker; coming off a poor season, and Detroit’s other goalie, Jimmy Howard, played extremely well. 8. Defenseman Paul Martin, San Jose Sharks: He’s +123 for his career; his smart, safe playing style could be just what an expansion team needs; only cause for pause is his age, 36; could be a leader on the Golden Knights. 9. Defenseman Nate Schmidt, Washington Capitals: Coach Barry Trotz would hate to lose Schmidt, who has developed into a dependable allaround defenseman; was impressive when he received a chance to play in the postseason; could become a mainstay on the Vegas blue line. 10. Defenseman Trevor van Riemsdyk, Chicago Blackhawks: At 25, just starting to find his game at the NHL level; was +17 in 58 games last season; 158 games of NHL regular-season experience; young enough to be part of the Golden Knights’ future.