Projecting the Dallas Stars protection list for NHL expansion

Over the course of the past 12 months the anatomy of the Dallas Stars protection list has evolved greatly.

Players that were locks to be protected last October could easily be exposed, while those who used to be also-rans on the roster suddenly give you an uneasy feeling about losing them in expansion.

And on Saturday the Stars, and the rest of the NHL, finally had to make their final decision on whom to protect in the draft. Whether a team goes the seven forward, three defenseman, one goalie route or the eight total skaters and one goalie route, each team is going to lose a player that brings value (some higher than others) to respective franchises.

So what will the Stars do? And how did they handle their protection list that had to be submitted at 4 p.m. CT on Saturday?

Let’s try and project the list that will come out Sunday morning for the Stars.

Forwards

Protected

1. Jamie Benn — The captain, ultimately the only completely untouchable piece in Dallas.
2. Tyler Seguin — The Stars other offensive mainstay, maybe he’ll return to superstar form next season when fully healthy.
3. Jason Spezza — Even if the Stars wanted to try and move on from the 34-year-old center they couldn’t. He has a no-movement clause.
4. Radek Faksa — Czech center is an RFA right now, but is going to get a nice raise soon from the Stars.
5. Valeri Nichushkin — It’s going to happen. It would be like leaving your top prospect exposed and Vegas would take Nichushkin in a heartbeat.
6. Brett Ritchie — The Stars are in the market for a top-six right winger, that’s been well-known for months. Ritchie has potential to be the internal solution.
7. Antoine Roussel — The French forward played his way into protection this season, while Cody Eakin played his way out of it.

Exposed

Cody Eakin — Looks like a strong possibility he could be headed to Vegas. He had a down year, but there is some belief he could bounce back next season.
Curtis McKenzie — A hard-working bottom-six winger. Minor threat to be taken, but there are more valuable assets available from Dallas.
Adam Cracknell — Similar situation to McKenzie. There are more valuable assets available and Vegas can find similar players in free agency if needed.
Justin Dowling — Has set himself up nicely to be the first call-up forward and could even surprise some people and make the NHL roster. Be a real surprise if he gets taken by Vegas.
Gemel Smith — Similar to Dowling, but a slightly greater chance of being taken simply because of his age and speed.
Matej Stransky — RFA is currently mulling options from the KHL and hasn’t been able to crack NHL roster.
Mark McNeill — RFA who Dallas acquired in trade for Johnny Oduya. He isn’t going be on Golden Knight’s radar.

Exempt

Jason Dickinson, Devin Shore, Denis Gurianov, Remi Elie, Mattias Janmark, Cole Ully,

Defenders

Protected

1. John Klingberg — Stars top defenseman with a long-term commitment from team.
2. Esa Lindell — Had an up and down rookie year, but Stars brass and Ken Hitchcock are high on the Finn.
3. Stephen Johns — This is the tough choice. Jim Nill has said his job is to make his team better for today, next season, and the future and that’s why you protect Johns.

Exposed

Dan Hamhuis — In a perfect world you’d like him as part of the team next season to pair with a young defender. Vegas could see him as an asset that could be flipped for picks.
Jamie Oleksiak — Big defender’s potential could excite the Knights, and a change of scenery could be the best thing for the first-round pick.
Greg Pateryn — He’s a very good seventh defender or bottom-pairing player, Vegas will have better options from the Stars.
Patrik Nemeth — Inconsistency has been Nemeth’s biggest issue. Heading to Vegas could actually be a good fit for him, but why would Golden Knights pick him with lack of solid track record in NHL?
Mattias Backman — Technically an RFA, but he’s already committed to playing in Sweden next season.
Nick Ebert — RFA that was the return in the Jack Campbell trade. AHL player with heavy shot.
Ludwig Bystrom — Signed by Dallas on Saturday. Depth player in the organization.

Exempt

Julius Honka, Gavin Bayreuther, Dillon Heatherington,

Goalies

Protected

1. Ben Bishop — Just signed a six-year deal with Stars.

Exposed

Antti Niemi — His time in Dallas will likely come to an end with a buyout.
Kari Lehtonen — Likely the back-up goalie with the Stars next season.

Exempt

Landon Bow, Philippe Desrosiers