If they protect 4 d men it will be Holl over Dermott.

Kerfoot in all likelihood. There's not many centers available for the Kraken to take. A decent mid-6 center could very well be the future 2C of that team.

I think Leafs protect Holl over Dermott

1. Kerfoot
2. Dermott
3. Anderson
4. Engvall

100%. They'd be foolish not to, and with the lack of centers likely available, Seattle will likely take Kerfoot.

This is sort of why I think it's within the realm of possibility for Seattle to take Rico from the Ducks. It's not a great contract, but I just don't see many better options for Seattle to take up the middle.

I understand that you protected Dermott over Holl for exposure rules, but couldn’t you just tender Dermott’s RFA to satisfy that requirement?

Agreed, if they loose Dermott no big deal. Sandin should be ready by next year.

It be kerfoot. Make sense for Seattle and leafs clear up a chunk of money with it. I like kerfoot but our team is much better than the Vegas draft. Going to loose a good player no matter what

And 100% protect Holl over Dermott. Holl is on a good contract and Dermott needs one

I hope you’re right. He has a long way to go yet. It will depend on staying healthy. I still think 20+ mins a night in the AHL is more Valuable than 10 mins a night in the NHL.

I agree with all of you that Holl is the ideal protection choice over Dermott. However, the OP is correct, I believe, that as of this moment, the Leafs would need to expose Holl as Dermott does not yet meet the minimum exposure requirements because he is not signed through next year.

I don't expect that to be the case come the ED, but it is the current situation.

I could be wrong but I think Dermott counts because he's an RFA which technically means he's under term because the Leafs have his rights. If not, the Leafs should extend him right now

Yeah, that's why I left a bit of doubt in my statement lol. I'm pretty sure he has to have a deal in place, but the RFA status may be enough.

Nobody wants Dermott so they probably lose kerfoot

No, your original suspicion is correct. Unless Dermott is offered a new deal and signs it prior to the expansion draft, Holl would have to be exposed because Dermott would not be a qualifying player. (Or, of course, Toronto could sign Bogosian or acquire a qualifying defenseman.)

I thought so, but I always try to leave room for error. Regardless of who, they need another Dman who meets the requirements if they don't want to expose Holl.