Who Does Vegas Take From The Flames In The Expansion Draft?

[Roof-Daddy]

I think we are fairly certain of our protected list at this point.

F - Gaudreau, Monahan, Backlund, Bennett, Frolik, Ferland, Lazar
D - Giordano, Hamilton, Brodie
G - Nobody yet

So with what's left to be exposed to Vegas in the expansion draft, who do you THINK they will end up taking? (**NOT who do you WANT them to take)

POLL Options

1. Troy Brouwer
2. Alex Chiasson (RFA)
3. Matt Stajan
4. Lance Bouma
5. Freddie Hamilton
6. Linden Vey (RFA)
7. Hunter Shinkaruk
8. Emile Poirier

9. Matt Bartkowski
10. Brett Kulak (RFA)
11. Tyler Wotherspoon (RFA)
12. Ryan Culkin (RFA)

13. Tom McCollum

14. Sign a Flames Pending UFA and Forgo a Selection
(Versteeg, Bollig, Wideman, Engelland, Stone, Kostka, Elliott, Johnson)

[dino7c]

Brett Kulak

[GirlySports]

Brouwer

[Caged Great]

Thankfully in a situation like this, Calgary isn't really in danger of losing any vital pieces. It would be disappointing to see any of the kids that would make sense go like Klimchuk or Shinkaruk. However, if that's all it is, that isn't too bad.

[Geeoff]

If I were Vegas, I'd take Chiasson or Hamilton.

[JiriHrdina]

I think there are 3 main possibilities: Brouwer, Shink, or Poirier.
It it highly depends on what they do with other teams.
I predicted Brouwer based on the following
- The Flames don't have particularly attractive younger players so they will pick those up from other teams
- Vegas needs some leaders and some guys who can play. Brouwer can do both.
- They also need to reach the cap floor.

But I could easily see them picking Hunter instead and take a shot at a younger guy with more long term upside.

[Toonage]

Stajan or Bouma. Went with Stajan. Cap hit, length remaining on his deal, veteran centre.

[TheIronMaiden]

Originally Posted by dino7c

Brett Kulak

I agree. I think that its obvious that the LVGK will be awful in their first few seasons. As such, I expect that their management team will target good prospects with NHL futures.

This will achieve two ends: it will prepare the team for the future, since right now is hopeless, and it will give the LVGK a handful of bargaining chips to help with a trade for a big name that can help draw in fans.

Kulak fits the bill.

[Roof-Daddy]

That was quick. Thanks

I'm leaning towards Chiasson or Kulak.

I guess it depends on how many RFA's they take from other teams, and whether or not they actually want some salary committed to their cap past the 2017/18 season. If they do, then the might just take Brouwer.

I used to think there was a chance they'd sign Engelland in the 48 hour window prior to the draft, but they are going to select a boatload of 4-7 NHL Dmen so signing Engelland doesn't seem likely anymore.

[Geeoff]

I don't think Vegas will do us a favor by taking back a bad contract unless we pay them to.

[Caged Great]

I would expect Stajan.

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by Caged Great

Thankfully in a situation like this, Calgary isn't really in danger of losing any vital pieces. It would be disappointing to see any of the kids that would make sense go like Klimchuk or Shinkaruk. However, if that's all it is, that isn't too bad.

Klimchuk is exempt.

[GioforPM]

I figure they either go for the biggest available name (Brouwer) or the first round pick thinking it means untapped potential (Shinkaruk).

[TheIronMaiden]

I don't have a problem with this list, but is it a forgone conclusion that Lazar will be protected? I am not entirely convinced that that this is the case.

[flambers]

My guess with the Flames, Vegas will look at youth.

Hunter Shinkaruk or Brett Kulak

I went with Brett Kulak.

[Sylvanfan]

I expect that Vegas will look at the Flames list and think to themselves...no wonder Anaheim swept this group....

Vegas is going to be in an interesting spot as they will still need some AHL type bodies that they can move up an down throughout the year. So that's why I think a guy like Shinkaruk may appeal to them. They'll have a tough time getting scoring in the expansion draft so should have have one get injured, a guy like Shinkaruk could become a viable call up.

[Ozy_Flame]

I picked Kulak, but I wish I could change it to Shinkaruk. The dude - if at any point - is almost NHL ready, he comes free, doesn't need a big contract, and provides youth down the left with potential. Kulak is more of a dime-a-dozen type of bottom three defender that I'm sure will be more than available. Plus, Shinkaruk is having a decent playoffs in Stockton.

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by TheIronMaiden

I don't have a problem with this list, but is it a forgone conclusion that Lazar will be protected? I am not entirely convinced that that this is the case.

I think they all but confirmed they will protect him, particularly after giving up a 2nd to get him. They would not have done that without intent and a plan to make sure they don't lose the asset for nothing, particularly given he barely played down the stretch.

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by TheIronMaiden

I don't have a problem with this list, but is it a forgone conclusion that Lazar will be protected? I am not entirely convinced that that this is the case.

Yeah, I was hesitant to even start this now knowing the exact list 100% for sure known, but really the only question marks are Lazar and Ferland, but they just gave up a 2nd to get Lazar. He's getting protected.

Plus Ferland just had the same amount of points and 2 more goals than Brouwer did, and he's 7 years younger and will probably cost 1/3 as much as Brouwer once he's re-signed.

Fairly confident, barring trades, this is it right here.

[Steve Bozek]

I think out of that list, they'll pick a younger player with potential - Shinkaruk most likely, maybe Chiasson, Kulak, Lazar (if available) or Wotherspoon. Brouwer's contract is too expensive for the contribution he's capable of making, unless the "intangibles" are greater than what we are able to ascertain.