This week’s announcement of the newest NHL franchise in Vegas got us to thinking about the impact on the Jackets overall.
Let’s see what the Buckeye State Hockey folks had to say…
AlisonL: So now we know it’s official, Las Vegas is getting an NHL team and the expansion draft rules are out. What were the biggest pieces of that news that impacts the Jackets?
The Coach: The biggest two tweaks for the CBJ are the ability to ask player’s to waive their NMC’s, and that LTIR players may be deemed exempt.
AlisonL: For sure – current CBJ players with NMCs include Hartnell, Dubinsky, Foligno, Clarkson, Tyutin and Bobrovsky. That would tie up a lot of spots right off the bat…
The Coach: Yup. I can see Clarkson ending up under the LTIR section of that, and Tyutin being asked to waive (if he isn’t moved ahead of time).
–Neither of them will get selected, unless the CBJ want to sweeten the pot with a draft pick or prospect.
–But that would allow them to protect a Jenner/Atkinson/Savard/etc. that might otherwise be exposed.
AlisonL: Exactly. Even Saad’s NTC doesn’t kick in till 20-21, he’ll need to be protected in my opinion
The Coach: My list would be as follows: Saad, Dubinsky, Foligno, Hartnell, Atkinson, Jenner, and Wennberg at forward. Murray, Jones, and Savard on defense. Bobrovsky in net.
AlisonL: Agree, with that.
The Coach: Of course, Hartnell might be moved out by then, in which case the sub is up in the air.
AlisonL: I think the other big thing – while not unexpected – was the confirmation that the Jackets are at no risk to move back to the Western Conference
The Coach: Could be William Karlsson, but Calvert, Anderson, Zaar, and Chaput are all guys that could prove themselves in the NHL next year and earn that spot.
–(Not changing conferences) is a huge relief. The time zone struggle was real thing impacting the CBJ’s ability to build a fanbase locally. Obviously secondary to struggling on the ice.
Paul: Hartnell has already agreed to waive his no move this summer. I would think he would be willing to do it again next summer.
AlisonL: That’s the other beauty of the expansion draft rules – players that are protected automatically due to their tenure playing professionally include Werenski, Milano, Rychel, Bittner, Hannikainen, BJORKSTRAND… [editor’s note: this information pulled from General Fanager]
The Coach: If Hartnell, Tyutin, and Clarkson are either traded, bought out, or willing to waive their NMC’s, then the CBJ are in fantastic shape for the expansion draft.
AlisonL: I agree, Paul. He seems pretty pragmatic about the whole thing.
The Coach: In that case, the best players the CBJ would expose would probably be Calvert and Johnson, but both of them would be entering the last year’s of their contracts before unrestricted free agency.
–CBJ might end up losing a guy like Michael Chaput or Josh Anderson.
AlisonL: And perspective is important…each team will lose ONE player. No one team’s cupboards are getting fleeced.
Paul: If Korpisalo has another strong season i could see Vegas taking him possibly.
AlisonL: The goaltending will be the really tough call in my opinion
The Coach: I was thinking that as well. But once you use the GeneralFanager.com expansion draft tool a few times, you realize the goaltending available is DEEP.
AlisonL: ^^^
The Coach: Same with defense. I just don’t see the CBJ exposing a defenseman even close to getting picked.
Paul: Goalie is deep right now but teams have a year to figure it all out. I could see a lot of trades happening (Fleury for one)
–agree with the D, best they expose is Johnson
The Coach: The kind of season Korpisalo would need to have to get selected, is the kind of season that might push the CBJ to ask Bob to waive his NMC.
–Good point on moves being made. I bet we see a lot happen this offseason, and early next offseason looking ahead.
Paul: Fair point on Korpi vs Bob.
The Coach: That might end up being the biggest impact on the CBJ. Making a trade to pick up another team’s fourth best defenseman for an Atkinson-type player. Then you protect Jones, Murray, and new guy. Savard and Johnson won’t be getting picked, and if they are I am okay with that.
AlisonL: And let’s not forget that this means fans can couple trips to Vegas with some hockey now…
Paul: You don’t need to remind me, that is what I am most looking forward too of this whole thing.
AlisonL: The arena looks gorgeous.
The Coach: This would have been so much better had it happened when I actually lived in Vegas!
AlisonL: This is about the Jackets, not the Coach, friend.
Paul: I think the readers should know my (twitter) profile pic is me standing under the Vegas sign in a CBJ Jersey.
AlisonL: This is the insight that people count on here at Buckeye State Hockey 🙂
Paul: Showing how excited I am for this new team
The Coach: Regarding the Vegas team in general, I think it will be surprisingly successful. I have lived in a pretty fair number of cities around the US and Canada, and Vegas BY FAR was the most sports-centric city.
Jeremy: Wait wait, you mean the management team in Vegas may see CBJ expose their Johnson?
Paul: What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas
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