This is the Expansion preview. As of Dec 20^th, 2016^th.  Keep in mind that I didn’t go into depth on prospects that are playing in the AHL this year.  This is MOSTLY based off the big prospects and roster players.  Also keep in mind I am not a mind reader and don’t know what you are thinking.

First Division to look at will be the Central

Minnesota – The Wild is a team that really should be rebuilding, but is like the NHL Canucks.  Refuse to admit to it.

Forwards – Victor Rask, Nick Ritchie, James Van Riemsdyk, Jordan Eberle

Defense – Cody Franson, Luke Schenn, Jonathan Ericsson, Julius Honka

Goal – Louis Dominigue

Minnesota is a team that is praying to have certain players selected.

Colorado – Like most rebuilding teams they have open expansion slots and could fill those via trade

Forwards – Radek Faksa, Mattias Janmark, Brett Richie, Micheal Ferland, Trevor Moore

Defense – Duncan Keith(barring trade), Brenden Dillon, Jyrki Jokipakka, Markus Nutivaara

Goal – Tukka Rask(Barring Trade)

Colorado was an interesting team to predict.  Only because they have Rask and Grubauer in net.  One will likely get traded before expansion.

Winnipeg – A team that could lose a few good ones unless some moves are made.

Forward – Nazem Kadri, Josh Leivo, Valeri Nichushkin, Jake Virtanen, Nikita Soshnikovm, Evgeni Malkin, Nail Yakupov, Milan Lucic, Dmytro Timashov

Defense – Tyler Myers, Zach Bogosian, Jake Gardiner, Griffin Reinhart

Goal – Martin Jones

The Jets should and likely will try a move some youngsters that need to be protected like Gauthier, Loov, Subban and Armia.

St.Louis – Will the Blues lose anyone?

Forward – Joe Pavelski, David Krejci, Travis Zajac, Brandon Pirri, Carl Hagelin, Marrian Hossa, Alexander Khokhlachev, Jamie Benn, Tyler Ennis

Defense – Olli Maata, Erik Karlsson, Travis Hamonic, Alexei Emelin

Goal – Braden Holtby

A few question marks around who to protect, how will the rest play out?

Nashville – After what Johnson is doing in the NHL, does Nashville protect Luongo or Johnson?  How much more does Luongo have?

Forward – Tomas Hertl, Patrice Bergeron, Tomas Plekanec, Evander kane

Defense – Matt Niskanen, Roman Josi, Nikita Nesterov

Goal – Robert Luongo

Chicago – Has a few good youngsters that will get picked off.  Now it comes to Dave,  will he try and move them out before the expansion?

Forward – JT Miller, Brayden Schenn, Riley Sheahan, Logan Couture, Adam Henrique, David Backes, Jeff Carter, Tyler Toffoli, Max Pacioretty

Defense – Brent Burns, Torey Krug, Jeff Petry

Goal – Scott Darling

Dallas – Junya lucked out with Werenski missing the cut off date by a couple weeks or he would have to protect Werenski. Although he will be exposing a few good ones that will likely get picked up by one of the expansion teams.

Forward – Marko Dano, Lauri Korpikoski, Jaden Schwartz, Ryan O’reilly, Zach Smith, Mark Scheifele, Jean-Gabriel Pageau, David Pastrnak, Nikita Scherbak

Defense – Ryan Suter, Sami Vatanen, Matt Dumba

Goal – None