Who are they protecting?
Blues are one of the more intriguing teams heading into expansion because I imagine there will be value vet or two left exposed.

If I had to guess, they'll protect:

FWDs
- ROR
- Schenn
- Tarasenko (though I wish they'd leave him exposed)
- Perron
- Sundqvist
- Thomas
- Kyrou

D
- Parayko
- Faulk
- Krug

G
- Binnington

That would leave guys like Scandella, Dunn, Blais, Bortuzzo, and Clifford exposed. Personally, I'd take Scandella if I'm Seattle, as he's locked up until 2024 on a very team-friendly $3.25M AAV. Veteran leadership, a guy who can eat minutes, and a nice asset for the PK.

You did nothing with Dunn and they aren't going to take Scandella without compensation.

Why would they need compensation to take Scandella? Solid LHD that's locked up for 3 more years @ $3.25M/per and is very good on the PK. If you ask me, that's the kind of guy you want to take in an expansion draft.

I'm expecting someone to OS Dunn or for him to be the other option taken by Seattle, so I didn't worry about adding him here. Not to mention, if someone did OS Dunn and he signed elsewhere, the Blues would get compensated. If he's re-signed by the Blues, great. Obviously my expectations will be revised in some manner.

Scandella is not solid. He's an overpaid 3rd pairing D LHD that is easily replaceable. More realistically, Seattle takes Dunn and we're still stuck with Scandella's contract. And you still have 3 more players to sign.

I'm not going to get into a subjective disagreement with you. I think Scandella is worth the money he makes and I think he's a valuable asset to the Blues. You don't agree? Great. No worries here.

It's just wild, you're literally the first manager I've seen on here all year have Scandella selected without extra assets going the other way. Dunn, Blais, Barbashev, Sundqvist, hell even Sanford. But Scandella? That's a first.

What about barbashev for the expansion? I'd trade kyrou and just protect Barbie so then they can take any of them

And you're literally the first "manager" I've seen who says Scandella isn't solid. So, something's gotta give, eh?