The Toronto Maple Leafs will have the option to protect eight skaters or seven forwards and three defenders – the latter of which is likely going to be the route for the Leafs.
On defence it’s pretty simple: protect Rielly, Gardiner and whichever one of Marincin, Carrick, Loov or Corrado is deemed to have more chance of a future moving forward with the club.
Up front is where the decisions get a little more tricky.
According to General Fanager’s expansion tool the Toronto Maple Leafs have 15 forwards to choose from to protect, although the list includes UFA’s to be Brooks Laich, Milan Michalek and Colin Greening.