As we continue the dog days of summer, fans are anxiously awaiting the New Jersey Devils‘ next move. It has now been 39 days since general manager Tom Fitzgerald claimed extending Luke Hughes was his top priority, but nothing has crossed the finish line yet. One silver lining of these slow-moving periods is some added time to dive into fun ideas and theoretical scenarios.
Related: New Jersey Devils’ Top 10 Prospects for 2025-26
So, here’s a fun one: Let’s say the NHL fast-tracks an expansion franchise – their 33rd – and the draft is in a week. For this assumption, let’s assume L. Hughes’ contract has been figured out, and the remainder of the roster is left unaffected. Who would the Devils protect?
(This is purely theoretical. Usually, expansion drafts are held prior to the opening of free agency.)
Guidelines
Each team can either choose to protect:
- Eight skaters (forwards or defensemen) and one goaltender
- Seven forwards, three defensemen and one goaltender
As The Hockey Writers’ Andrew Forbes explains: “Players who currently have no-movement clauses as a part of their contracts at the time of the Expansion Draft (and refuse to waive it) have to be protected by their respective franchise and will count towards the team’s protected list. To add to that, all first and second-year professional skaters (including unsigned draft picks) will not be available for [franchise] to select from and won’t be counted as part of the protected player’s list.”
Who Should be Protected? (7 forwards, 3 defensemen & 1 goaltender)
- F Jesper Bratt – Required via No Movement Clause (unless waived).
- F Timo Meier – Required via No Movement Clause (unless waived).
- F Ondrej Palat – Required via No Movement Clause (unless waived).
- F Jack Hughes – The team’s best forward; this is a no-brainer.
- F Nico Hischier – The captain and one of the best two-way centers in the world.
- F Dawson Mercer – Likely the best offensive production from the remaining forwards. Age is on his side, too. Would be foolish to give up for nothing.
- F Paul Cotter – Elite raw tools and age (25) gives him the edge over a few others.
- D Dougie Hamilton – Required via No Movement Clause (unless waived).
- D Luke Hughes – A budding star. Another no-brainer.
- D Jonas Siegenthaler – One of the best defensive defensemen in…
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