LadyStanley
Registered User
What would be the rationale for keeping them secret? I hope it's not because the league somehow feels that the players need to be kept in the dark about their status. I don't think the players are that fragile that they couldn't handle word that they've been made available to Vegas. I think they can figure that stuff out for themselves. And why would they be concerned if their availability was made public?
It's common respect (heck, might even be demanded in the small fine print of the expansion draft details) that players (and their respective agents) must be informed if they are protected or not.
Players learn so enough that NHL hockey is a business, so the fact that they are exposed in the expansion draft shouldn't be an issue.
Teams cannot protect everyone, so the 4+ guys exposed should understand.
Especially for pending RFAs and UFAs who are not protected -- they are not exposed, per se, but Vegas has the option of negotiating deal -- the organization should be clear on why they are in that situation (IOW, protecting other guys, but would like to sign new deal immediately after expansion draft). Now Daly has commented that using this caveat and having negotiated deal ready to go may be cause for penalties to organizations; unclear what rationale and proof is needed that teams do so.