First, a quick review of the parameters. The 30 teams included in the expansion draft have two options:
- Protect seven forwards, three defensemen, and one goalie
- Protect eight skaters (any combination of forwards/defensemen) and one goalie
There are a few other rules to keep in mind as well. All players who have accrued two or fewer professional seasons by the end of the 2020-21 season, as well as all unsigned draft choices appearing on a team’s reserve list, will be exempt.
Among the defensemen exposed to the draft, at least one must be under contract through 2021-22 and have played in at least 40 NHL games the prior season or played in at least 70 NHL games in the prior two seasons.