{"id":2756,"date":"2016-10-25T16:47:35","date_gmt":"2016-10-25T20:47:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/?p=2756"},"modified":"2016-10-25T17:00:35","modified_gmt":"2016-10-25T21:00:35","slug":"tough-expansion-calls-nhl-teams-las-vegas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2016\/10\/25\/tough-expansion-calls-nhl-teams-las-vegas\/","title":{"rendered":"Tough Expansion Calls for NHL Teams, Las Vegas"},"content":{"rendered":"

Before you know it, the NHL<\/strong>\u00a0Expansion Draft will be upon us.\u00a0Las Vegas<\/a> will have assembled a team for their inaugural 2017-2018 season. There is a lot of excitement for the\u00a0upcoming hockey team in Las Vegas. What is interesting is the tough expansion calls ahead for NHL teams and Las Vegas.<\/p>\n

Tough Expansion Calls for NHL Teams & Las Vegas<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Anaheim Ducks<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Because Kevin Bieksa<\/a><\/strong> has a no-movement clause the Anaheim Ducks<\/a><\/strong> will have to expose defensemen Cam Fowler<\/a><\/strong> and Simon Despres<\/a><\/strong>. It’s been no secret that the Ducks general manager Bob Murray<\/strong> has been shopping\u00a0Fowler since the summer. It’s more likely than not the former first-round pick will be moved before the trade deadline.<\/p>\n

If Fowler is still on the Ducks and exposed to the expansion draft, he could be a very attractive selection for Las Vegas as a trade chip. Fowler is signed through the 2017-18 season ($4 million cap hit) before he becomes an unrestricted free agent. Las Vegas GM George McPhee<\/strong> could flip Fowler for a prospect and a draft pick.<\/p>\n

The 25-year-old Despres, who is signed for another four years following this season ($3.75 million cap hit), could be a fall-back option for Las Vegas.<\/p>\n

Boston Bruins<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Due to the depth at the forward position along with a bunch of no-movement clauses, it’s hard to see a scenario where Boston Bruins<\/a>\u00a0general manager\u00a0Don Sweeney<\/strong> protects Matt Beleskey<\/a><\/strong>. The 28-year-old left winger is a forward who can score 15-20 goals a year. Following this season the Ontario native is signed for three more years with a reasonable $3.8 million cap hit.<\/p>\n

The interesting choice for McPhee is does he take a chance with goalie prospect Malcolm Subban<\/a><\/strong>? Subban the 24th overall pick in the 2012 draft, is just 22 and does have upside. No doubt the Vegas brass will be spending a lot of time in Providence<\/strong> to watch Subban’s development this season.<\/p>\n

Columbus Blue Jackets<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Because Columbus Blue Jackets<\/a>\u00a0general manager\u00a0Jarmo Kekalainen<\/strong> must protect veteran forward Scott Hartnell<\/strong> (NMC) either Alexander Wennberg<\/a><\/strong> or William Karlsson<\/a><\/strong> will be exposed to expansion. One thing is for sure the Blue Jackets will lose a talented youngster.<\/p>\n

The Blue Jackets have a lot more invested in Wennberg who was the 14th overall pick of the 2013 draft. Las Vegas are not going to have that many opportunities in the expansion draft to select talented young forwards. Columbus will offer one.<\/p>\n

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\u201cI want to make sure we do it right\u201d – Las Vegas owner Bill Foley on getting him team a name, logo and colors https:\/\/t.co\/MFQU8cSIia<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/PmdVS3LGB2<\/a><\/p>\n

— SI NHL (@SI_NHL) October 24, 2016<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n