{"id":2999,"date":"2016-11-06T16:52:55","date_gmt":"2016-11-06T21:52:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/?p=2999"},"modified":"2016-11-06T17:16:27","modified_gmt":"2016-11-06T22:16:27","slug":"las-vegas-wheel-deal-nhl-defensemen","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2016\/11\/06\/las-vegas-wheel-deal-nhl-defensemen\/","title":{"rendered":"Las Vegas to Wheel and Deal NHL Defensemen"},"content":{"rendered":"

Once the winner of the Stanley Cup<\/strong> is decided this coming June, the hockey universe will center around Las Vegas<\/strong><\/a>. Las Vegas<\/strong> general manager George McPhee<\/a><\/strong> and his staff will be on the clock. Look for them\u00a0to wheel and deal NHL defensemen after the completion of the expansion draft.<\/p>\n

Las Vegas to Wheel and Deal NHL Defensemen<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Expansion Loaded with Blue Liners<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The expansion draft will be littered with quality defenseman. If it were held today, the following blue liners are likely to be available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/colgroup>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Anaheim Ducks<\/strong><\/td>\nCam Fowler<\/strong><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Colorado Avalanche<\/strong><\/td>\nNikita Zadorov<\/strong><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Dallas Stars<\/strong><\/td>\nPatrick Niemeth<\/a> <\/strong>and Jamie Oleksiak<\/strong><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Florida Panthers<\/strong><\/td>\nJason Demers<\/a> <\/strong>or Alex Petrovic<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Minnesota Wild<\/strong><\/td>\nJonas Brodin <\/strong><\/a>and Marco Scandella<\/strong><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
New York Islanders<\/strong><\/td>\nCalvin de Haan<\/strong><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
New York Rangers<\/strong><\/td>\nKevin Klein<\/strong><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
St. Louis Blues<\/strong><\/td>\nCarl Gunnarsson<\/strong><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Washington Capitals<\/strong><\/td>\nDmitry Orlov<\/a> <\/strong>or Nate Schmidt<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

 <\/p>\n

Consider talented prospects Ville Pokka<\/strong> (Chicago<\/a><\/strong>), Griffin Reinhart<\/a><\/strong> (Edmonton<\/strong>), and Mirco Mueller<\/a><\/strong> (San Jose<\/strong>) could also be available.<\/p>\n

That’s twelve deep in terms of blue liners in the expansion draft. According to expansion rules,\u00a0Las Vegas<\/strong>\u00a0must\u00a0pick at least nine NHL defensemen.<\/p>\n

There are numerous teams looking to upgrade and improve their blue line. The Toronto Maple Leafs<\/strong><\/a>, Edmonton Oilers<\/strong>, Detroit Red Wings<\/strong><\/a>, and\u00a0Boston Bruins<\/strong>, are among them.\u00a0McPhee’s cell phone will be on fire with trade talk regarding defensemen.<\/p>\n

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Report: Las Vegas #NHL<\/a> expansion team to get 48-hour free agency window in June. https:\/\/t.co\/V9sgtbBeyR<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/4fScD3OMD6<\/a><\/p>\n

— Yahoo Sports NHL (@YahooSportsNHL) October 28, 2016<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n