Kings don’t protect Brown, Gaborik

The Kings did not include former team captain Dustin Brown and winger Marian Gaborik on their protected list for the NHL expansion draft, but that doesn’t mean the Kings will be free of those burdensome contracts.

The NHL on Sunday released the lists of players who were protected or left available by their respective teams for the draft on Wednesday that will stock the 31st franchise, the Vegas Golden Knights.

Brown, 32, has five seasons left at an annual salary cap hit of $5.875 million. Gaborik, 35, has four seasons at an annual cap hit of $4.875 million. Those contracts likely won’t be attractive to Vegas.

The Ducks had little maneuvering room because existing clubs were obligated to protect players who had a no-move clause, and Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry, Ryan Kesler and Kevin Bieksa have those clauses.

The Ducks left defensemen Sami Vatanen and Josh Manson available but it’s likely Ducks general manager Bob Murray has arranged a deal with his Vegas counterpart, George McPhee, to pass on Manson and Vatanen in exchange for draft picks or prospects.

Teams were permitted to protect eight skaters (forwards and defensemen) and one goalie, or to protect seven forwards, three defensemen and one goalie. Firstand second-year pros were exempt. The 30 existing teams will lose one player to Vegas. The most prominent one available is Pittsburgh goalie Marc-Andre Fleury.