NHL to not make teams protected player lists public for upcoming expansion draft

[Fighting Banana Slug]

The conversations might be awkward, but they shouldn't be shameful. There are only so many protected spots. A guy might be left unprotected due to salary, age, depth at that position, whatever. It is all business.

I think for the fans, it would be great to have the list. Mock drafts, trade speculation and all of that is fun.

[Machiavelli]

Originally Posted by gilligans_off

Not surprised at all with this decision. Seems like it would save face with players not being protected. Save them some shameful and awkward conversations.

You don't think they tell the players, so they could prepare for possible selection?

[EldrickOnIce]

Originally Posted by Machiavelli

You don't think they tell the players, so they could prepare for possible selection?

I'm guessing he was referring to the media.

[Hockey Fan #751]

The players need to know, right? At the very least the RFAs and UFAs who have been left unprotected need to know so they can prepare their agents to negotiate during the 48-hour window prior to the expansion draft.

[DJones]

I like it, make's it that much easier to expose Brouwer without embarassing the guy.

[lazypucker]

If the expansion draft protected list is not publicized, there actually wasn't any needs to publicized the rules. The league and the teams could just make deals behind closed doors and just "assign" players to Vegas as they please.

Same goes with the salary cap. There is no need to publish what the annual cap is, or players salaries for that matter....

[Parallex]

There really isn't any benefit to making them public. I wager most of them leak after the draft (if not before).

[Frequitude]

Good.

Maintaining positive GM-player relationships and not affecting GM-GM leverage >>> wants of whiny fans.

Now we can expose Brouwer without embarrassing him (unless he gets picked of course).

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by Frequitude

Good.

Maintaining positive GM-player relationships and not affecting GM-GM leverage >>> wants of whiny fans.

Now we can expose Brouwer without embarrassing him (unless he gets picked of course).

Yeah I'm with you, this is not only expected but a good thing. Who cares?

[Fighting Banana Slug]

I don't see how this is embarrassing to the player. If it is, I would think it better for it to be public, than it would for rampant speculation, denials, conspiracy theories etc. The issue won't go away just because the list isn't public.

[Beatle17]

Originally Posted by lazypucker

If the expansion draft protected list is not publicized, there actually wasn't any needs to publicized the rules. The league and the teams could just make deals behind closed doors and just "assign" players to Vegas as they please.

Same goes with the salary cap. There is no need to publish what the annual cap is, or players salaries for that matter....

I am sure that the NHLPA negotiated that these are released so they can use them when trying to get players who are RFA or UFA more money. I don't think the league or GM's wanted the numbers out.

[savardandjokinen]

Edmonton's real protected list:
Forwards:
Mcdavid
1st overall pick
1st overall pick
1st overall pick
1st overall pick
1st overall pick
1st overall pick
Defense:
Giordano
Giordano
Giordano
Goalie:
Grant Fuhr

[The Fonz]

Somewhat related - Martin St. Louis requesting a trade after Steve Yzerman left him off of Team Canada.

Some players would take great offense to learn that their GMs don't value them as much as they've been led to believe. I can understand where the GMs are coming from here.

[The Fonz]

Originally Posted by Machiavelli

You don't think they tell the players, so they could prepare for possible selection?

I don't think they would.

Players aren't made aware of potential movement prior to trades, and so I don't see this as being any different.

[DJones]

Originally Posted by Fighting Banana Slug

I don't see how this is embarrassing to the player. If it is, I would think it better for it to be public, than it would for rampant speculation, denials, conspiracy theories etc. The issue won't go away just because the list isn't public.

So if Brouwer gets left exposed over Lazar you don't think that could be embarrassing?

If he doesn't get picked it doesn't matter. Let the media speculate all they want. At least it wasn't in a team media announcement.

[Bear]

Players will want to know ahead of time if they are at risk of being claimed by Vegas.

I'd imagine anyone not obviously on the protection list will be asking Tre during their exit interview if they should be preparing themselves / their family for the possibility of a move. I also imagine most GM's will have the decency to be upfront about it with the player even if they don't want the wider world to know their intentions.

A few players will hear something along the lines of "we aren't protecting you but do hope to be able to make a deal with Vegas to ensure you are part of this organization going forward". In some cases this will be the truth in other cases it will be about maintaining a good relationship with that player in the event they are not selected by Vegas.

[Weitz]

It's hilarious how fragile NHL players must be that GM's are concerned of hurt feelings.

[Enoch Root]

No surprise, and the right thing to do.

[Fighting Banana Slug]

Originally Posted by DJones

So if Brouwer gets left exposed over Lazar you don't think that could be embarrassing?

If he doesn't get picked it doesn't matter. Let the media speculate all they want. At least it wasn't in a team media announcement.

No. If it is embarrassing, should Stajan be embarrassed? Bouma? Kulak? there are 7-3-1 spots and that is it. Brouwer is a big boy, I think he probably knows that he is on the bubble to be protected. He (or one of the other guys) gets picked, he moves to Vegas. He doesn't, he stays here. Not unlike getting traded, he still gets to play with a team that presumably wants him. It doesn't make him a bad player or bad person.

[atb]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Yeah I'm with you, this is not only expected but a good thing. Who cares?

I think it's nice in theory, but you have to think some names and team lists will leak? In that case it's a bit unequal for the teams as some GMs will have their choices scrutinized / players hurt feelings while other teams will have no issues. Seems like it would be better to put every team on equal footing and publish the list. I think the players are professional enough to understand the business side of things and their GM had to make some tough decisions.