Kahun will be the pick in this scenario. I have no idea what logic dictates protecting THREE LHD over offensive depth when this org has guys like Samorukov and Broberg matriculating. They should go 7-3-1, especially if Klefbom is deemed ineligible.

If the Oilers don't resign RNH in-season, I'd imagine he at least takes a gander at other options as a UFA this summer.

This expansion list is what I think the Oilers will do, not what I personally want to happen. Lagesson being protected is pretty realistic, they've now waived Chiasson, Khaira, Nygard and lost Forsberg simply to keep Lagesson away from waivers. Management must think he is a part of the future of the blueline.



There won't be many teams that will pay RNH as much as the Oilers will. I think they will offer him $7.5M+ with term and an NMC

Yeah, hard to say...Not a lot available in the way of offence coming up in free agency this offseason...Ovi (Will resign in WSH), Palmieri, and Landy (Presumably will resign in COL) are the only other big name guys coming up.

What is the rule on Klefbom? Can you explain? Also I doubt they protect Lagesson. They are extremely deep at LD and are much better off keeping Kahun.

So unnecessary to protect 4D when klef is ineligible to be selected. Just protect 7 forwards so we can re-sign Nuge and don't lose Kahun

If Klefbom is ineligible to be selected, you go the 7-3-1 route. I honestly don't know how the klef situation will be handled, i've seen people say contrary things for both sides.

I don't think Lagesson is worth protecting for the time being. He's got potential and has looked good in the few games he's played, but if you lose a player of his pedigree in the expansion draft, you are a happy team. If Klef returns, you still have Klef, Nurse, Jones, Broberg and even Samarukov (more potential but further back in development) ahead of him on the LHD depth chart. I'd far prefer protecting Kahun and getting a Nuge extension done ahead of time to make sure he doesn't test the market.

7: McD, Drai, Nuge, Yam, Kahun, Puljujarvi, whoever has a good season
3: Nurse, Bear, Jones (If Klef needs to be exposed and is expected to return healthy next season, you expose Jones and protect Klefbom)
1: Koski

In my opinion, I'd much rather go this route.
I don't necessarily think all their previous roster moves are because they want Lagesson in their long term plans. The guys they've sent on waivers thus far are more because they had a good feeling they would clear (either because of their contracts are effectiveness so far). Lagesson hasn't really shown what he is capable of yet, so it would have been shame to lose him in waivers (he's cheap and decent potential) after all these years of developing him, without actually seeing what he can do in the NHL. I believe they will give him a regular look this season before making a decision on him going forward.

But like I said, I like Lagesson and would love to see him succeed, but he has a pretty limited ceiling (i feel like best case scenario he's a 4-5 dman) and if he's the type of player you lose in the expansion draft, just remember Florida lost Smith and Marchessault, Ducks lost Theodore, Jackets lost Karlsson etc. So if we go through drafts and lose Reinhart and Lagesson, I would be a very happy fan.

They won't sacrifice forward depth to protect Lagesson. They have precious few scoring forwards, From all accounts Samorukov is just as rough and tough as Lagesson and a good defender like him but can also move the puck and score.