The LA Kings head into the Expansion Draft with the cupboard stocked with prospects looking to make the jump in 2021. There are some young pieces that will require extensive evaluation and thought as to whether they should be protected from the Seattle Kraken. The selection process takes place on July 21st, here are the rules:
- Each team can protect up to seven forwards, three defensemen, and one goaltender, or nine players regardless of position.
- All players with no-movement clauses must be protected unless they’ve agreed to waive.
- Any player with two or fewer years of NHL/AHL experience is exempt.
- Teams must expose players who meet certain criteria. There must be at least one defensemen and two forwards who are under contract for 2021-22 and played at least 40 NHL games in 2020-21 or 70 NHL games total since the start of 2019-20. Teams must also expose a goaltender who is either under contract for the 2021-22 season or about to enter restricted free agency.
Forwards
Anze Kopitar – The captain and leader of the forward group, even at age 33 he’s one of the best 200 foot players in the NHL.
Alex Iafallo – Inked to a 4 year contract prior to last season, he can be a solid middle six contributor for the duration of the commitment.
Adrian Kempe – Coming off the best season of his NHL career the Swedish forward isn’t going anywhere.
Trevor Moore – The California native is the final forward of the group. He’d be the perfect type of player for a team competing for a playoff spot. This team could make the jump sooner then many think.
Defensemen
Drew Doughty – The grittiest defenseman I know, such a stud.
Matt Roy – A solid depth defenseman who was asked to play over 19 minutes a night last season. His offense won’t wow you but that’s not his role.
Sean Walker – Same goes for Walker here, these first three defensemen were pretty well a no brainer.
Kale Clague – The 23-year old defensemen is the reason I went with the 8-1 model instead of 7-3-1. The prospect cupboard is over flowing up front but I don’t think the Kings are willing to expose their 2nd round pick at this stage in his career.
Goalies
Calvin Petersen – The 26-year old netminder managed a .911 save percentage in 32 starts this season. I’d expect him to be protected over the 35-year old Quick who hasn’t met that same percentage in the last 3 seasons.
Who’s available to Seattle
Forwards – Dustin Brown, Brendan Lemieux, Andreas Athanasiou, Austin Wagner, Blake Lizotte, Lias Andersson
Defensemen – Olli Maatta, Kurtis MacDermid,
Goalies – Jonathan Quick