Why Comtois is exempt from expansion and Makar not? Both have played 10 games in 2018-2019

I’m not 100% sure, but I know that whenever NCAA players sign near the end of the season the rules are a bit different. For example, they end up burning a year of their ELC if they play 1 game in the NHL instead of the usual 10.

But this is a good question that I don’t know the answer to.
@Banks

As the expansion draft FAQ says “All players who have accrued two or less professional seasons at the end of the 2020-21 season, as well as all unsigned draft choices appearing on the teams reserve list, will be exempt from the upcoming expansion draft.” Comtois has played less games than Makar and that’s probably why though I would imagine by the end of this year Comtois will appear on the protection list as they update their Seattle draft expansion tool regularly

I feel like my explanation might be right

I don’t think so. Nothing in the expansion draft it based on total GP, other than exposure requirements. It just matters about how many pro seasons a player has under their belt. The question is why Makar’s 18-19 season counts as a pro season and Comtois’ 18-19 season doesn’t.

Maybe because you had to play a certain amount of regular season or playoffs games and Makar would’ve passed the requirement while Comtois didn’t is the most likely explanation

Exactly, I don't understand the difference. Comtois 2018-2019 season should count and need to be protected

maybe a difference between regular season vs playoff GP?

There is a difference, but if anything it should be Makar who is exempt and Comtois who is not, since playoff GP usually don’t count towards GP requirements.