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Nashville Predators: James Neal may be open in Expansion Draft

By Corey Francis

Jun 11, 2017; Nashville, TN, USA; Nashville Predators left wing James Neal (18) and center Mike Fisher (12) react after an empty net goal by Pittsburgh Penguins left wing Carl Hagelin (not pictured) in the third period in game six of the 2017 Stanley Cup Final at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 11, 2017; Nashville, TN, USA; Nashville Predators left wing James Neal (18) and center Mike Fisher (12) react after an empty net goal by Pittsburgh Penguins left wing Carl Hagelin (not pictured) in the third period in game six of the 2017 Stanley Cup Final at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Expansion Draft is closing in and the Nashville Predators have a difficult decision to make. James Neal is likely the odd man out.

If you thought making it through the Stanley Cup playoffs were challenging, think again. Only a few days after the season officially ended and now General Manager David Poile is in a conundrum. Which players on the Nashville Predators’ roster does he protect in the Expansion Draft? That decision must be made by June 17.

There are some rules governing the Expansion Draft, the event in which the newly created Vegas Golden Knights will select one player from every team in the NHL to build their roster. Poile must decide on whom to protect, either eight players and one goalie or seven forwards, three defenseman and one goalie. It is anticipated that the Predator protect eight skaters and a goalie. Either way, a good player will be left unprotected, and that player could be James Neal.

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That hurts.

Regardless of the outcome, the decision will not be easy; however, should Neal be left exposed in the Expansion Draft, the Golden Knights would be wise to select him. The ten-year veteran is a perineal 20+ goal scorer, placing third on the Predators last season with 23 goal. He is also in the prime of his career at age 30, and averages over 17 minutes of ice time per game. That is more that Viktor Arvidsson and Mike Fisher.

But, maybe the best part of Neal’s game is puck control. When Neal is on the ice, the Nashville Predators control the puck more than 52% of the time. And, while he did have 30 giveaways last season, he also earned 40 takeaways.

There is a chance that the Predators protect Neal in the Expansion Draft. The chance for a trade with the Golden Knights is also possible. Should the Predators protect eight skaters, you can be certain Arvidsson, Pontus Aberg, Ryan Johansen, Ryan Ellis, P.K. Subban, Craig Smith, Roman Josi, and Mattias Ekholm to be in that group. That leaves Neal out of the mix. It is just speculation on my part, but I would not be surprised if that were the list.

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Still, we will not know until June 17 at the earliest. Here is hoping Poile makes the decision best for the Predators.

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