Too soon?!?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Textcritic
But make no mistake: there will probably be another expansion draft in three or four years at which time the Flames will likely be forced to make a deal similar to what Anaheim, Ottawa, or Columbus did.
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It's officially summer so I figure this might provide some mild amusement; anyone who takes this seriously should hit the back button now
Obviously this is contingent on a number of variables but considering the Flames will have just won back to back Stanley Cups, the 2020 Expansion Draft comes at a difficult time
Nevertheless, pull out your crystal ball:
Forwards under contract:
Monahan
Gaudreau
Backlund (projected - NMC because he signs at a discount)
Tkachuk (projected)
Bennett (projected)
Ferland?
Lazar?
Jankowski?
I've put question marks on the last three but wouldn't be surprised to see one or more still around come June 2020.
Brouwer and Frolik would be pending UFA's but I don't expect they'd be re-signed and protected (if they're both still around
). Perhaps throw in a prospect like Mangiapane or Dube to round out the top 9 (unless you also want to predict a future trade or UFA signing).
Defencemen under contract:
Giordano
Hamilton
Brodie (projected)
Ideally 2 or 3 of the remaining spots would be filled by Fox, Andersson and Kylington, but it would be a complete guess as to which one. Fox could also still be exempt.
Goalies under contract:
Who knows -- hopefully Parsons and/or Gillies has established themselves by now; Smith would have been a UFA in 19/20.
Protected list:
Using the same format as this year's draft, I think the Flames go with the 7/3/1 again:
Monahan
Gaudreau
Backlund
Tkachuk
Bennett
Ferland
Jankowski
Giordano
Hamilton
Brodie
Parsons
After two cups, most people predict the 36-year-old Gio gets exposed instead of Rasmus Andersson; Calder finalist Adam Fox is fortunately exempt. However, Treliving trades a draft pick to ensure playoff hero Curtis Lazar gets selected over promising backup Jon Gillies (who gets flipped for a first round pick prior to the 2020 draft)...
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Is it Friday yet?