#MARC EDOUARD VLASIC CONTRACT FREE#

at 35, probability dictates that Ward will slow down sooner rather than later. Despite only 19 points on the season, the 2nd-line winger has been improving his play over the course of his first campaign with the Sharks and looks as if he’s being groomed to take Joel Ward’s ice time eventually. With the last projected forward spot, Mikkel Boedker would be our choice. Tomas Hertl has 14 points in only 25 contests this season, and the 3rd-line center makes a good candidate for protection. With the freedom to choose their own combination of forwards and defense, we suspect they’ll protect only two more forwards. Joe Pavelski and Logan Couture, who lead the forward corps in points, will absolutely be protected.

#MARC EDOUARD VLASIC CONTRACT FREE#

But I’d put more money down on them returning to the Sharks and signing just before free agency than on anything else happening. With their pending UFA status and ages, they’ll either be back or they won’t. San Jose is a team deeper at defense than at forward, especially with two prominent forwards not requiring protection in Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau.

Projected Protection Choice: 8 Skaters, 1 Goalie Forwards Goalie: Marc-Andre Fleury San Jose Sharks Final Protected Listįorwards: Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Phil Kessel, Patric Hornqvist, Brian Rust, Nick Bonino, Carl Hagelinĭefense: Kris Letang, Justin Schultz, Olli Maata Additionally, if Pittsburgh does end up trading Fleury so that they can protect Matt Murray, they’ll need to bring back a goalie who meets the exposure requirements - the rest of Pittsburgh’s goalies under contract are all exempt. This scheme requires Pittsburgh to sign-and-expose one more player at forward. There’s been plenty of speculation in the media about Pittsburgh convincing Fleury to waive this clause for a trade, but until that happens he’ll be the protection choice. GoalieĬurrently, Marc-Andre Fleury holds a No Movement Clause. Neither have really proved themselves invaluable this season but, with his track record and all-around skills, we are going with Maatta for the moment with the caveat that Dumoulin’s play down the stretch could change that decision. To Maatta’s advantage, he does everything other than shot prevention modestly better than Dumoulin. To Dumoulin’s advantage, his shot prevention numbers place him as a top-pair guy and he currently occupies that position - however, that seems to be all he does well. Unfortunately, neither are being incredibly productive on the scoresheet this season. But this is as far as the Pens get with easy decisions.įor the third defense protection, it really comes down to Olli Maatta and Brian Dumoulin. Justin Schultz, having a fabulous offensive season, should also be a no-brainer for protection.

Kris Letang has a No Movement Clause, and would be a no-brainer even without it. Both are currently sitting at around 20 points for the season and are probably looking at a modest 30-ish for the regular season, but play larger roles on the team than just their offense - Bonino currently occupies the 2C spot in Pittsburgh’s line-up, and Hagelin makes a definite positive impact on the team judging by his advanced stats at Own The Puck. With Conor Sheary being exempt and considering the ages and pending UFA status of both Chris Kunitz and Matt Cullen, Hagelin and Bonino are the best of what’s left for the ice-birds. With two spots left, our choices would be Nick Bonino and Carl Hagelin. Patric Hornqvist and Bryan Rust are having solid campaigns that would make for obvious selections if left exposed, so they won’t be. That covers Phil Kessel, Evgeni Malkin, and craftsman of my nightmares Sidney Crosby. Projected Protection Choice: 7 Forwards, 3 Defense, 1 Goalie ForwardsĪs always, let’s get the NMCs out of the way first. For relevant exemptions, contract statuses, and clauses with the Sens and Flyers, head to and use their Expansion Draft Tool. As per usual, we covered rules and exemptions and whatnot back in the Detroit post - check that out via the storystream at the end of the article if you need a refresher.

Today, our Expansion Draft coverage takes us to that other team in Pennsylvania, the one I personally have an irrational fan-hatred for that burns with the passion of a thousand suns, and the San Jose Sharks.

Marc edouard vlasic contract