Then, for the expansion, protect:
F: Kreider, Stepan, Miller, Zibby, Zucco, Smith, Fast/Lindberg
D: McDonagh, Ellis, Klein/McIlrath
G: Hank
Exempt: Skjei, Vesey, Buch
Fast/Lindberg is a choice between who the Rangers think they'd want more, and is also conditional on how well Jooris and Hrivik play.
Klein/McIlrath is all dependent on how many games Dylan plays. If he hits 42, he is exposed to the draft, if he plays less he is protected, but becomes a free agent.
Seemingly, the way to deal with the Klein/McI situation is to trade Kleiner around the deadline for a small ransom, and then run these pairings:
McDonagh - Ellis
Skjei - Dylan
Holden - Girardi/Clendening[/quote]
You have to protect Girard in expansion draft[/quote]
I'd buy him out before then, I forgot to mention that, but yeah. Buy him out.