The NHL has released each team’s protected list for the expansion draft. Here’s a look at who the Washington Capitals are protecting and exposing.
The 2017 NHL Expansion Draft will force each team to lose at least one player. Some teams won’t technically have a player drafted because one of their free agents will be signed. The Washington Capitals might be the team exposing the most talent. This is a product of having a very good team for the past few seasons.
With the NHL officially announcing each team’s list, let’s breakdown who the Capitals will be exposing to the Vegas Golden Knights, sorted by position.
Defensemen
Washington Capitals
Brooks Orpik – This should come as no surprise. Even coming off a surprisingly solid year, Orpik’s contract is very expensive. Also, he will most likely start declining very soon. Paying a third pairing penalty kill specialist over $5 million per year is simply not worth it. The Capitals are hoping Vegas will take him, but they likely won’t.
Kevin Shattenkirk – Shattenkirk is a free agent, so this isn’t a surprise. Even if the Capitals have plans to re-sign him, exposing him makes a lot of sense. In an ideal world, Vegas will sign Shattenkirk during their exclusive free agent window. This would allow the Caps to keep their best players.
Karl Alzner – Another free agent, it would make no sense for the Capitals to protect Alzner. He’s another candidate to be signed by the Golden Knights early. Plus, George McPhee is definitely familiar with the left handed defenseman.
Also exposed: Taylor Chorney, Cody Corbett, Darren Dietz, Christian Djoos, Tom Gilbert, Aaron Ness
Forwards
Jay Beagle – Exposing Jay Beagle over Tom Wilson makes a lot of sense. Number 83 is a fan favorite, but he’s a replaceable player. The probability of the Golden Knights selecting Beagle is much higher than that of Vegas selecting Wilson.
Tyler Graovac – Washington gave up a 2018 fifth round pick to the Minnesota Wild for Graovac. The main reason they did this was so they could expose him. Exposing Graovac means Washington doesn’t have to expose Lars Eller or Wilson. It’s not likely he’ll be picked, but he should be a quality depth forward for the Capitals and a mentor for the younger players with the Hershey Bears.
Brett Connolly – Connolly is probably the best forward the Capitals are exposing. He proved he can be a quality scorer in a third line role last season. Even with a subpar postseason performance, Connolly is a tempting option for Vegas.
T.J. Oshie – It sounds like Oshie will likely re-sign with the Capitals. Which is why it makes no sense for Washington to protect him. If they’re confident Oshie will re-sign with them, why protect him when he can be exposed, which allows the Capitals to protect another forward?
Justin Williams – As a free agent, it makes no sense for Washington to protect Williams. He’s another free agent who the Capitals could wind up keeping.
Daniel Winnik – Much like Oshie and Williams, Winnik is a free agent.
Also exposed: Chris Bourque, Paul Carey, Stanislav Galiev, Garrett Mitchell, Liam O’Brien, Zach Sill, Chandler Stephenson, Christian Thomas, Nathan Walker
Next: NHL Mock Expansion Draft
Goaltenders
Philipp Grubauer – Braden Holtby was the only other choice, and that simply wasn’t happening. Grubauer is one of the best young goalies in the NHL, so it’s highly likely he’ll get picked by the Golden Knights.
Others: Pheonix Copley