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Will the Detroit Red Wings lose young defenseman Dennis Cholowski or established veteran Troy Stecher tonight in the expansion draft?
Or will the Seattle Kraken select another Red Wings player?
Chances are, Seattle will bring along either Cholowski or Stecher, Vancouver natives who would return to the Pacific Northwest when the Kraken debuts in 2021-2022.
Cholowski, Detroit’s top pick in 2016 (20th overall), is younger (23) and under the club’s control for several years. He’s a good skater and passer with a power play ability and attacking potential. However, defensive shortcomings prevented him from gaining a regular place in the lineup.
If Seattle seeks more immediate help, Stecher, 27, would be the choice. He is also a successful skater and puck thrower, with 330 games of NHL experience. He’s in the final year of his contract ($ 1.7 million), so if Seattle takes him, he’ll look to trade him in at the deadline if he’s not able to sign it again.
The list of players available in Detroit also includes forwards Vladislav Namestnikov, Evgeny Svechnikov and Frans Nielsen, as well as defenseman Danny DeKeyser. But the Kraken isn’t expected to take any of those players, for a variety of reasons including performance in 2021, age, contract, and health.
Detroit’s protected roster includes forwards Tyler Bertuzzi, Adam Erne, Robby Fabbri, Dylan Larkin, Michael Rasmussen, Givani Smith and Jakub Vrana; defenders Filip Hronek, Nick Leddy and Gustav Lindstrom; and goalkeeper Thomas Greiss.
Players with two years or less of professional experience are exempt. This includes Filip Zadina, Joe Veleno, and Moritz Seider.
Many top players have been left unprotected across the league, including Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price, who turns 34 next month and has five more years on his contract with a 10 cap. $ 5 million.
Price’s teammate defenseman Shea Weber was also left unprotected, as was New Jersey defenseman PK Subban, who was traded for Weber in 2016.
Other 2021-22 contract players available for the Kraken include forwards Vladimir Tarasenko (St. Louis), Matt Duchene (Nashville), Ryan Johansen (Nashville), Josh Bailey (Islanders), Adam Henrique (Anaheim) and Jeff Skinner (Buffalo) and defensemen Mark Giordano (Calgary), Erik Johnson (Colorado) Shayne Gostisbehere (Philadelphia) and Kevin Shattenkirk (Anaheim),
Seattle will select one player from each team, with the exception of Vegas, which is exempt from the draft.
NHL Expansion Draft
When: 8 p.m. tonight
Or: Gas Plant Park, Seattle.
TV: ESPN2
Streaming: ESPN app, ESPN.com/watch
Following: Red Wings’ Dennis Cholowski exposed for expansion draft
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