On July 21, 2021, the Islanders will lose a player and the new Seattle Kraken will build their roster through an Expansion Draft after teams submit their protected list.

The Expansion Draft will have the same rules as the Vegas Golden Knights’ Expansion Draft in 2017. Each team will be able to disallow Seattle from stealing either seven forwards, three defensemen and one goaltender, or eight skaters and one goaltender. Also, if a player has a No-Movement Clause in their contract, and chooses not to waive it, they must be protected. 

However, not everybody is eligible for Seattle to draft. Players in their first or second season are exempt and don’t need to be on the protection list to be safe from the draft. Draft prospects that have not yet received entry-level contracts, such as Bode Wilde, also are exempt.

According to CapFriendly’s Seattle Expansion Draft Feature, the following Islanders are exempt:

Forwards: Collin Adams, Felix Bibeau, Bobo Carpenter, Cole Coskey, Arnaud Durandeau, Anatoly Golyshev, Simon Holmström, Blade Jenkins, Oliver Wahlstrom.

Defensemen: Samuel Bolduc, Noah Dobson, Grant Hutton, Robin Salo, Mitch Vande Sompel.

Goaltenders: Jakub Skarek, Ilya Sorokin.

Now, let’s look at the most logical list for an Islanders protection list.

Forward #1: Mat Barzal

Is there any explaining to do here? Barzal got a huge payday this offseason after his rookie deal expired and he will be the first person written down as “protected.” He’s the new face of the franchise, and I doubt anyone will disagree with this one.

Forward #2: Anders Lee

Almost as obvious as Barzal, Islanders captain Anders Lee should be protected as well. Lee has been an Islander since has was drafted in 2009, and is beloved on and off the ice. His contract does not expire until 2026. Despite Lee’s injury that is keeping him sidelined for the rest of the season, Lee is one of the Islanders best goal scorers and a first liner when healthy.

Forward #3: Jordan Eberle

At times, Lee, Barzal, and Eberle have been one of the best lines in the NHL when producing. Eberle is now 30-years-old and has three years remaining on his contract after this year. He is one of the best Islanders forwards and almost always produces consistently.

Forward #4: Anthony Beauvillier

Anthony Beauvillier is a very streaky player. Sometimes he is one of the best on the Islanders and other times he is hardly noticeable. Nevertheless, Beauvillier is a skilled forward and brings youth to the lineup and should be protected. However, Beauvillier is a restricted free agent (RFA) and needs a new contract this offseason.

Forward #5: Brock Nelson

Goal scoring has been a longtime issue for the Islanders. Brock Nelson led the Islanders in goals during the 2019-20 season and is the current goal leader in 2021. Without Nelson’s abilities, and the crucial 2C role he fills, the Islanders would struggle.

Forward #6: Josh Bailey

Protecting Josh Bailey covers every forward in Barry Trotz’s “go-to top-six”. All six of these players are crucial to the Islanders’ success. Locked under contract until 2024, Bailey is a veteran presence who is always among the Islanders’ top scorers.

Forward #7: Jean-Gabriel Pageau

Acquired from the Senators at the 2020 NHL deadline, Jean-Gabriel Pageau was immediately extended through 2026. Pageau has fit well as the center on the third line, is scoring goals, and helping the power-play.

Defenseman #1: Adam Pelech

Known for his efforts in the defensive end, it is extremely difficult for opponents to score when Adam Pelech is on the ice. Also an RFA after the season, Pelech is likely to receive a big raise.

Defenseman #2: Ryan Pulock

Right on Pelech’s side, Pulock provides offensive pushes to the pairing. These two have been crucial to the Islanders, helping them become one of the best shutdown teams in the NHL.

Defenseman #3: Nick Leddy

There are a few options here, but Nick Leddy most likely gets protected. Leddy leads all Islanders defenseman in points by a wide margin and is second in assists on the team right behind Barzal.

Goaltender: Semyon Varlamov

Semyon Varlamov and Ilya Sorokin have split the crease this year, so with Sorokin ineligible for the Expansion Draft, Semyon Varlamov is the obvious pick from the goaltender position. Varlamov has a 0.930 save percentage and 1.99 goals-against average through 33 games.

This expansion draft list leaves the following players available for Seattle to draft:

F Cole Bardreau (UFA), F Kieffer Bellows (RFA), F Casey Cizikas (UFA), F Cal Clutterbuck, F Austin Czarnik, F Michael Dal Colle (RFA), F Tanner Fritz (UFA), F Joshua Ho-Sang, F Ross Johnston, F Otto Koivula (RFA), F Leo Komarov, F Andrew Ladd, F Matt Martin, F Kyle Palmieri (UFA), F Dmytro Timashov (RFA), F Travis Zajac (UFA), D Sebastian Aho, D Johnny Boychuk (Retired), D Braydon Coburn (UFA), D Andy Greene (UFA), D Thomas Hickey, D Scott Mayfield, D Parker Wotherspoon, G Ken Appleby.

Seattle’s Projected Pick: Matt Martin

If the Seattle Kraken are looking for physicality in the Expansion Draft, there’s a good chance they select Matt Martin. Martin signed a four-year contract worth $1.5 million annually this past summer, which is set to expire in 2024. Losing Matt Martin would definitely hurt the Islanders. However, it is more important that the players racking up points are protected before the grinders are. Scott Mayfield, Michael Dal Colle and Kieffer Bellows and Sebastian Aho are also options, but the Seattle Kraken are likely to consider drafting Martin if the Islanders leave him off their Expansion Draft protection list.

Ben Kule

Die-Hard Islanders fan and writer from Plainview, Long Island, NY. I have a passion and knowledge for this team and I enjoy sharing that with others