Detroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings have chosen to protect:
Forwards
Dylan Larkin
Tyler Bertuzzi
Jakub Vrána
Robby Fabbri
Adam Erne
Michael Rasmussen
Givani Smith
Defense
Nick Leddy
Gustav Lindström
Filip Hronek
Goaltender
Thomas Greiss
Prediction: The Kraken will select Troy Stetcher. Instead of exposing Richard Panik, the Red Wings dealt him to New York Islander for Nick Leddy. This put the target directly on the 27-year-old defenseman. Stetcher is in the final year of his contract worth $1.7 million per year.
Edmonton Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers have chosen to protect:
Forwards
Connor McDavid
Leon Draisaitl
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins
Zack Kassian
Josh Archibald
Jesse Puljujärvi
Kailer Yamamoto
Defense
Darnell Nurse
Duncan Keith
Ethan Bear
Goaltender
Stuart Skinner
Prediction: The Kraken will select Oscar Klefbom. The $4.167 million AAV defenseman is currently injured and unlikely to compete next season. The Kraken can use his LTIR cap space in 2022 and if he returns one year later he could very well be on the team’s top line.