they're not signed so they cannot qualify.

Remember Radulov ?

We didnt re-sign him mid season specifically because we didnt have to protect him
Then he walked as a UFA in the summer because we saw more value in protecting Lehkonen then using his spot to protect Radulov.

The guy to whom you're responding doesn't read stuff well. Note his exchange with me above about the requirements for players qualifying for the expansion draft.

I like your protection list. You can protect anyone you want, even UFAs.

Nope

use the Expansion tool
Try to draft the best goalies possible

Allen is top 3 in the Expansion draft
Most NHL Teams top Goalies contracts you'll notice are expiring 2021
These teams often have 1-2 Tokarski's ,Dominigue's, Bibeu's ,ext so the team fills is minimum requirement on Goalies

Just look at the UFA's 2021 Goalie section if you dont want to do the expansion draft itself
you'll see a frig ton of UFA Starting or Tandem Goalies

Yup, I got it wrong sorry. RFAs dont need a contract, UFAs do. Christmas gravy got to my head.

you can protect UFA's i just dont think anyone ever has :P

Either way i dont see really anyone exposed in the NHL who's a better goalie then Allen.
Like 30 UFA Goalies next year that their teams are letting go to Free Agency to avoid protecting

Atleast you owned it and now you know.

Stuff happens , nobodies right on here 100% of the time.
Anyone who says they are shouldnt be humored lol

Very gracious of you to say so. I, unfortunately, am past the age of joyous indulgence. God bless you and your family.

Then they pick Allen and we keep Byron Lehkonen Edmundson

I personally think that Seattle will select Allen, Holtby and Khudobin and will already have an offer of at least a second from some team for one of them.

Khudobin i was on the fence about just because i thought they'd pick up Honka instead
But now that you say that there's more value in acquiring him and possibly Flipping the odd man out among the 3

but those 3 are the top NHL Goalies in the expansion available.

I mean teams could still extend Goalies before the draft and then that list might change.
but right now a ton of UFA goalies in 2021 who wont need protection

I think he has a spot on this team ahead of Perry, hands down. And I love the Perry addition. This season will be about depth. Perry is depth, Byron is a legit starter and even on the 4th line is a threat. Plays PK very well and moves up in the lineup with ease. I'm not sure why people are so down on him for. He scores on whatever line he plays on. That's why he is still valuable to us.

Once again, Byron is simply overpaid. I absolutely agree. He signed that contract when there was a spot for him on the 2nd or 3rd line. With that said, even on 4th line minutes and full time PK mins, he is a solid player to have. Trading him is fine, Im ok with it but doing so just to rid his cap and pay other teams to take him off our hands is IMHO terrible asset management.

Habs don't have a cap problem. The name of the game is to get as high to the cap ceiling as possible without passing it. Habs are doing that. Next year players come off the books or other trade scenarios may happen so as of right now the Habs are fine and going forward they will be too. There is no need to "lose" in any trade for any Habs player if the goal is to cut cap costs. None. However If something changes in the future and our cap situation changes, then I'll change that sentiment at that time but until then, no need to lose on a Byron trade.

You will trade away a 1st round pick, plus a decent player to pay someone $2.5 Million and play as your 4th line Centre??????????????? am I eyes seeing correctly ?