Leverage in the Expansion Draft
This offseason is different than most because teams have to think about their protection lists. When it comes to the Predators, they were in a difficult position on who to protect.
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By trading Ellis, the Predators now have some leverage to protect another forward they value, like Colton Sissons or Calle Jarnkrok.
Before the Ellis trade, I was certain that the Predators would protect five defensemen and lose a coveted forward, most notably Sissons.
Losing Sissons would be tough blow to a team that’s already lacking on depth and special teams. One of the worst penalty kill and power play teams out there, and losing Sissons wouldn’t help. Now they can maybe use a protection spot on him.
Jarnkrok is another player that would be unsettling to lose to Seattle. This team lacks playmaking forwards who have a knack for scoring, and losing Jarnkrok would make it even worse.
Trading Ellis changes the thoughts on the protection list, which has already been submitted by general managers and will be revealed later today.