I think they would prefer cap flexibility in kuokkanen

My prediction was the same but I had Johnsson & Kuokkanen over McLeod & Sharangovich. Admittedly, I do not follows the Devils closely though.

Trade Murray at the deadline so you get a pick. Bastian and McLeod over Johnsson, Merkley and Kuokkanen, that's a first one.

Why would you protect Murray? He's a UFA.

I thought so too but I think Seattle would have enough cap

Sharangovich has been playing great this year and McLeod has the highest ceiling so that's why I chose them. I would want to protect Johnsson and Kuokkanen but I feel like the other players are more valuable

F: Hischier, Bratt, Johnsson, Wood, Sharangovich, Kuokkanen, [Zacha or Mcleod]*
D: Severson, Butcher, [TBD d-man]*
G: Blackwood

* I think they deal one of their young centermen to acquire a defenseman either at deadline or before expansion draft. (If they don't resign Murray)

That leaves Bastian, Merkley, Subban and their UFAs all exposed.

I would definitely protect Bastian and McLeod over Johnsson, Merkley and Kuokkanen. McLeod and Bastian are playing very well together on the 4th line and have the highest ceiling. Johnsson is the oldest and most expendable. Merkley has been a bit underwhelming this year. I would like to keep Kuokkanen but felt like McLeod and Bastian are more valuable

There's literally no one else we need to protect lol.

I wouldn't want to split up the Bastian McLeod duo but it was close between him and Kuokkanen. I think Devils would prefer to keep the younger guys over Johnsson. Best case scenario is selling high on Johnsson for a defensemen and protecting. Hischier, Bratt, Bastian, Wood, Sharangovich, Zacha or Mcleod. Then give Merkley and Subban to Seattle

Highly likely it ends up being Subban (even though they shouldn't and Seattle won't take him anyways). Colton White maybe but he doesn't seem to be more than a 3rd pair D at best.

If they intend to leave Johnsson open, I agree they should trade him at the deadline for a D Prospect or pick.

Long season ahead ... I suspect this list will evolve quite a bit. Hell, before the season, who would have thought that Wood, Bastian, McLeod & Sharangovich would be must protects? All could just as quickly drop out of favor ... give it another 30 games ...

I feel like Bastian's skillset is easiest to replace. Mcleod has higher ceiling and has show serious improvement...which may make him an attractive trade chip for young middle-pair d-man (and I know Bastian and Mcleod are besties, but its not exactly Crosby and Armstrong type situation if they get split up). The 4th line has been playing well because of Mcleod...not Bastian or Wood. (None of Wood's goals have come when he was on ice with them).

Zacha and Johnsson could also be used in trade. But agree a forward-for-defenseman trade is bound to solve much of this.



They could protect Subban...but Reilly Walsh may push him out of a job, expansion draft or not.
Colton White is a depth piece, especially for team that relies on speed.

It would also make room for a top 6 winger next to Hughes next year

Can't be too careful

I think we're also forgetting that palmieri could get resigned. He is a lock to be kept if he is.

If he gets an extension then yes. If he doesn't get an extension before the expansion draft, then no.