Quote:
Originally Posted by MattyC
I don't think GMs would have much of a problem with that. The OP seems to be suggesting that some good young players may end up being exposed. Why else would they be 'contentious'?
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Because a player like Hudler or Russell still has inherent value -- either as a contributor or as a trade piece. It's very realistic that either of those guys could fetch a second round pick or a decent-ish prospect at the trade deadline. A GM doesn't want to lose a guy like that for nothing, even if they aren't a star player. I mean, look at the last expansion draft:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2000_NHL_Expansion_Draft
That is a
lot of bad players. If you put current Jiri Hudler and Kris Russell into that group, they are probably going first and second (after the teams took care of their goaltending).
I just don't see a realistic scenario where they allow elite prospects or star players to be plucked off expansion. I, like many others, would likely give up on being a fan entirely if we lost someone like Eichel or Ristolainen to that.