Poolman is exempt

Really? I thought he was exposed?

Edit: Just checked, you’re right. Who should I sub in?

2 most likely are Gio and Kylington

I wouldn’t be surprised at all if Seattle picked Gio. He’s a vet and only had one year left. He can also chip in on offense.

Bjork will be protected

Not over Thompson or Mittelstadt.

It’s going to be
Eichel
Mittlestadt
Reinhart
Skinner
Olofsson
Bjork
Asplund.
Thompson has all the tools, but has a horrible hockey IQ which holds him back.

There is the unlikely opportunity that Skinner is asked to waive his no movement clause. Anyone would know there is no chance Seattle would take him anyway, and his contract makes him untradable. Buffalo wouldn’t stand to gain much by burying him in the AHL either, The no movement clause is really just a formality at that point. Will they ask him to waive it? I would. Will he actually do it? That’s the thing I don’t think will happen. But if he did it would enable Buffalo to protect one more forward that they actually want to keep.

Yeah I think they will ask I’m also curious on what their plans are for Girgensons too.

Please stop putting McCann on these lol. He's not going to be available.

I don’t expect Girgensons to be protected. I also don’t expect Seattle to be willing to take him since he is coming off a rather significant injury, and they have no idea how he will play when he returns. My hope is they intend to ensure that Seattle takes Colin Miller, even if they have to send an extra 4th round draft pick to them to make it happen.

I think they’ll go

Crosby
Malkin
Guentzel
Zucker
Rust
Kapanen
Tanev (they love him, he’s a warrior).

But you could be right. I don’t think it’s 100% that he’s protected though.

He's been one of the team's top players this year. 24 years old, cheap contract, 60 point pace, effective at W and C, and fantastic underlying numbers. It's about as close to 100% as you can get at this point.

Zero reason to protect him over a worse, more expensive, and older player like Zucker who has been pretty bad for most of this season.

Justin Holl will be protected

It just hit me that Poolman is like the evolution of 'Pool Boy' lol

If Zadorov is willing to sign for that cheap, he’ll probably be protected.

Greenway will be protected for sure, same for Drouin, Patrick, Paul and McCann.

Absolutely Bjork will be protected over Thompson.

Over Muzzin, Rielly, and Brodie?

4-4-1
Matthews, Marner, Tavares, Nylander
Rielly, Muzzin, Brodie, Holl
Campbell