“We’re just sitting here waiting to find out about expansion,” said Wellesley-based agent Matt Keator, who reps a range of clients from Zdeno Chara to Oliver Wahlstrom.
However, general managers likely have learned their lessons from the 2017 Vegas draft, where Golden Knights GM George McPhee was able to score Shea Theodore, Alex Tuch and Reilly Smith — key pieces of a year-one Stanley Cup finalist — with side deals before the expansion draft.
Expect a flurry of free agent activity after the draft, since teams do not have to protect their unrestricted free agents.
Teams must submit their protected lists — seven forwards, three defensemen and a goalie, or eight skaters and a goalie — by July 17.
1-caliber guy in Vegas, after dealing him in 2017 to keep the Knights from taking Josh Manson and Sami Vatanen and recent injury history.
Unless Christian Fischer or another goalie excites them, an obvious play would be to grab RFA netminder Adin Hill, 25.
Seems the Kraken could get a nice depth piece here, be it forwards Morgan Geekie or Warren Foegele or defenseman Jake Bean .
Hard to believe the Blackhawks will let a high-potential prospect like Henrik Borgström go after trading for him.
Some strong options from a loaded Avalanche roster, including big defenseman Ryan Graves, who has a Brandon Carlo-like game and cap hit .
If they have no need, perhaps forward Jason Dickinson would shine in an elevated role.
Not a lot to offer here, though Dustin Brown , soon to be 37, would fill the leadership void and give Seattle a potential rental trade chip next season.
However, goalie Cam Talbot, who has two years left on a $3.66 million cap hit, had a formidable season.
Energetic forwards Viktor Arvidsson, Calle Jarnkrok and Yakov Trenin are annoying to play against and would likely be open for business.
Francis might bet on the potential of 2016 first-rounder Michael McLeod, who scored nine even-strength goals in a depth role.
Rather than negotiate with a veteran UFA — the line of Matt Martin-Casey Cizikas-Cal Clutterbuck, or Kyle Palmieri — a prospect like Kieffer Bellows or Otto Koivula could be the move.
The Kraken should take Chris Tierney, who can play just about any middle-six role and costs $3.5 million.
Looks like Seattle will take a valuable forward; either Teddy Blueger, pesky Brandon Tanev or Jason Zucker.
If the Bolts protect their top four defensemen, some attractive forwards would be exposed: Ondrej Palat, Alex Killorn, Yanni Gourde.
Power forward Mason Appleton brings a lot for a player making $900,000.
Dumba and prospect Matthew Boldy would have to be part of the mix here, as well as the Wild’s two first-rounders .
8 pick and Quinton Byfield would be a strong foundation to a prospect-heavy deal.
Noteworthy: Chara, a proud son of Slovakia, doesn’t have an interest in playing in Europe … Providence coach Jay Leach interviewed for the Arizona job vacated by Rick Tocchet, according to Craig Morgan of AZCoyotesInsider.com.