The NHL this morning confirmed the Rangers’ protection list for the Vegas expansion draft next week, and there were no surprises among the seven forwards, three defensemen and one goaltender.
The Blueshirts protected Kevin Hayes, Chris Kreider, J.T. Miller, Rick Nash, Derek Stepan, Mika Zibanejad, Mats Zuccarello, Nick Holden, Ryan McDonagh, Marc Staal and Henrik Lundqvist.
Antti Raanta, Michael Grabner, Jesper Fast and Oscar Lindberg are the top candidates available to be chosen by the expansion Golden Knights by Wednesday. Brendan Smith, an unrestricted free agent, also is on the unprotected list, but the Rangers sill may have an opportunity to sign him.