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The Vegas Golden Knights are running their third mock draft Tuesday in preparation for the June 20 expansion draft. Vegas spent last week putting together the protected list of all 30 teams based on their current intel.
An NHL source with knowledge of the Golden Knights decision making, says one change from their December mock draft pertaining to the Penguins is Vegas has [hide] Kris Letang, Brian Dumoulin and Justin Schultz being the three protected defenseman for this weeks Mock Draft.
In December, the Golden Knight’s second mock draft, Olli Maatta was protected and Justin Schultz a pending RFA was not.
Bad intel on the Golden Knights end? Maybe, but they do significant homework on casing the league before coming up with their list. Some of it is always guesswork with these type of things but right now Vegas isn’t the only team around the league that thinks Schultz will be protected over Maatta.
Vegas is planning to conduct their fourth Mock Draft in mid-March after the deadline.
— One thought out there on the Penguins best move with Derrick Pouliot for the rest of the season. — Expose him for the expansion draft and get lucky in the hopes Vegas selects him based on upside and avoids other NHL d-men who will be exposed.
One reason this longshot theory is out there among some in the know:
Buzz among scouts is that the Washington Capitals had a top-10 grade on Pouliot during the 2012 draft and had every intention of drafting him if he fell to them. With George McPhee thinking long-term to some extent, though, maybe not long with Bill Foley as owner who wants to win quick, you never know.
— Marc Andre Fleury hasn’t played in over a week as Matt Murray’s been dominant the last three games and has won four straight. Murray had a .925 save percentage going into the Washington game where he allowed 7 goals that led to his save percentage dropping to .916. It’s now back up to .923, sixth in the NHL among goaltenders who have made at least 20 starts.
Mike Sullivan wants to continue riding Murray as his No. 1 moving forward but with the All-Star break this weekend, the Penguins may start Fleury at home Tuesday night in a showcase opportunity with the Blues in town.
Fleury has a 3.31 GAA and .903 save percentage on 3+ days rest. He hasn’t played in nine days.
Pittsburgh is home Tuesday night vs the Blues and then are in Boston Thursday night before the break.
— Long-time NHL Executive on the high scoring games this season, another one last night between Ottawa and Columbus (7-6).
“Worst goaltending [league-wide] I’ve seen in 20 years.”
— In the Eastern Conference, the Philadelphia Flyers who own the second wildcard spot with 52 points, are only five points ahead of the Islanders, Sabres and Lightning who are all tied for last in the conference with 47 points.
A lot of mediocrity after the Capitals, Penguins, Blue Jackets, Canadiens and Rangers.
There is going to be a major push from the clubs at the top to claim the top-seed in the East. You’ll actually get a true 1-8 matchup from the past.
NHL STANDINGS [/hide]
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