Are the rules the same as the Vegas expansion? If so, we won't have to protect a number of our young players because they won't even be eligible.
Expansion Draft: Full Rules
* All first- and second-year professionals, as well as all unsigned draft choices, will be exempt from selection (and will not be counted toward their club's applicable protection limits).
Player Exposure Requirements
* All Clubs must meet the following minimum requirements regarding players exposed for selection in the Expansion Draft:
i) One defenseman who is a) under contract in 2017-18 and b) played in 40 or more NHL games the prior season OR played in 70 or more NHL games in the prior two seasons.
ii) Two forwards who are a) under contract in 2017-18 and b) played in 40 or more NHL games the prior season OR played in 70 or more NHL games in the prior two seasons.
iii) One goaltender who is under contract in 2017-18 or will be a restricted free agent at the expiration of his current contract immediately prior to 2017-18. If the club elects to make a restricted free agent goaltender available in order to meet this requirement, that goaltender must have received his qualifying offer prior to the submission of the club's protected list.
* Players with potential career-ending injuries who have missed more than the previous 60 consecutive games (or who otherwise have been confirmed to have a career-threatening injury) may not be used to satisfy a club's player exposure requirements, unless approval is received from the NHL. Such players also may be deemed exempt from selection by the League.
That suggests that the eligible players are:
Forwards: Ryan, Anismov, Tierney, C. Brown, Duclair, White, Balcers, Paul, Chlapik, Rodewald, Carcone, Klimchuk
Defense: Zaitsev, Jaros, Chabot, Lajoie, Ebert, Englund
Goaltenders: Nilsson, Hogberg
Therefore to meet the minimum requirements one of Nilsson or Hogberg will have to be exposed. One of Chabot, Zaitsev, Lajoie and Jaros will have to be exposed. Two of Ryan, Anisimov, Tierney, C. Brown, Duclair and White will have to be exposed.
I assume they will protect Hogberg and leave Nilsson exposed. Both White and Chabot will be protected. I think they protect Jaros and leave Zaitsev and Lajoie exposed. Best case scenario is both Ryan and Anisimov are exposed bu Ryan does have the right to refuse to waive his NMC, so there is a good chance that one of Tierney, C. Brown or Duclair will have to be exposed as well.
As for the rest eligible players they will likely protect players that perform well this season. For example both Paul and Chlapik need to take a step forward this season. If Paul performs in the NHL the way he did in the AHL last season then they will protect him.