The New York Islanders offered a major surprise as the NHL released all 30 eligible teams’ protection lists for the Seattle Kraken expansion draft (Las Vegas, the most recent expansion team, is exempt).
While it was thought the Isles might leave at least one highl-dollar member of their core exposed as they continue to navigate a cap crunch, they went ahead and exposed two: both Josh Bailey and Jordan Eberle are both exposed, while “Identity Line” members Cal Cluttterbuck and Matt Martin get coveted protected slots.
On its face — though we know Lou Lamoriello often has more up it’s sleeve — it’s a bit mind-boggling.