Quoting: Xqb15
Better than even money COL asks EJ to waive and protects Graves because Seattle isn’t picking him, especially when two of Donskoi, Compher, Nichushkin and Jost will be available along with Francouz. COL if their smart accepts they lose a player but only one.
Yeah I don't think Sakic would waste a protection slot on Johnson. He'll find a way around that.
- Mackinnon, Rantanen, Landeskog, Kadri, Burakovsky, top 6 forward acquired in 2020, Nichuskin (protected due to lower caphit than Compher/Donskoi)
- Girard, Makar, Graves
- Grubauer
Exposed: Compher, Donskoi, Jost (if not traded before then), Johnson (waives NMC), Francouz.
Best way forward is probably to just let Seattle take their pick, but Sakic might pay them something to steer them away from Johnson or Francouz. A 1B backup signed for $2m in 2021/22 would be pretty hard to replace, unless Annunen is ready, and it might be worth a 3rd to keep him over Compher/Donskoi.