Ducks Seattle Expansion Protection List

Photo: NHL

By Michael Walters

The NHL announced the protection lists for all the teams this morning. General Manager Bob Murray went with the 7-3-1 option and here is how it breaks down:

Forwards:

Nicolas Deslauriers
Max Jones
Isac Lundestrom
Rickard Rakell
Jakob Silfverberg
Sam Steel
Troy Terry

Defense:

Cam Fowler
Hampus Lindholm
Josh Manson

Goalie:

John Gibson

There were no surprises as to who the Ducks protected on defense and in net with this option. Haydn Fleury not being protected means if he is picked up, then the Ducks traded away Jani Hakanpaa and a 2022 sixth round draft pick for the small amount of time that Fleury was in Anaheim. Murray could have protected him with the 8-1 option, but decided not to. He could have also protected Fleury over Fowler with the 7-3-1 option, but we all knew he wasn’t going to go for that.

In terms of forwards, it is interesting to see Deslauriers be protected. The fourth line grinder was nearly sent to Pittsburgh at the trade deadline, but then the deal didn’t go through. Maybe Murray thinks there is still a future trade possibility with him, but it seems like Seattle would have passed on him regardless of any trade value. Silfverberg was also protected despite going through his recent hip surgery. It’s unknown how effective he will be in the future and would have been a gamble for Seattle to pick.

Instead Murray could have protected Danton Heinen, Vinni Lettieri, Sonny Milano, and/or Alexander Volkov with the 7-3-1 option. One of those players would appear to be of more interest to Seattle than D-Lo or Silfverberg. If Seattle doesn’t choose a forward, then Fleury or Kevin Shattenkirk could be attractive options on defense. Lastly, there is still the option of Murray working out a trade to get Seattle to take a player like Henrique instead of picking one the players up above.

Below is the list of all available Anaheim players that Seattle could choose.

Forwards:

Andrew Agozzino
David Backes
Sam Carrick
Chase De Leo
Ryan Getzlaf
Derek Grant
Danton Heinen
Adam Henrique
Vinni Lettieri
Sonny Milano
Andrew Poturalski
Carter Rowney
Nick Sorensen
Alexander Volkov

Defense:

Trevor Carrick
Haydn Fleury
Brendan Guhle
Jacob Larsson
Josh Mahura
Kevin Shattenkirk
Andy Welinski

Goalie:
Anthony Stolarz

The expansion will take place this Wednesday July 21st, 2021. Until then take a listen to our podcast where we discuss the upcoming entry draft and other league news.

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July 18th, 2021