If you’re a hockey fan, you know that every year, the NHL has a protected list deadline that can be crucial for the future of your favorite team. But what is the protected list and why is it important?
Protected list refers to a set of rules that govern which players a team can and cannot lose in certain situations, such as an expansion draft. The protected list is designed to help teams protect their key players while also allowing new teams to build competitive rosters.
In this article, we’ll answer the burning question on every hockey fan’s mind: when is the protected list in hockey? We’ll also explore the reasons why the protected list is such a big deal, how teams go about creating their protected lists, and what happens after the protected list is released. If you’re curious about the inner workings of the NHL and how your favorite team might be impacted, read on!
Get ready to learn everything you need to know about the protected list in hockey. From key dates to team strategies, we’ve got you covered. Whether you’re a casual fan or a die-hard hockey enthusiast, this article will provide you with valuable insights that you won’t want to miss!
Table of Contents
What Is the Protected List in Hockey?
If you are a hockey fan, you have probably heard about the protected list before. But what exactly is it and why is it so important for NHL teams? Well, in short, the protected list is a list of players that a team wants to keep on their roster and protect from being selected by other teams during the Expansion Draft.
The Expansion Draft is an event that takes place when a new team enters the league. During this draft, the new team has the opportunity to select players from the other teams in the league. To prevent teams from losing too many players, each team is allowed to protect a certain number of players on their roster.
The number of players that can be protected varies depending on the rules set by the league, but typically it is around 7-10 players. These players are usually the most valuable or essential players on the team, such as star players or young up-and-comers with high potential.
So, in summary, the protected list is a way for NHL teams to safeguard their most important players during the Expansion Draft. Without it, teams could lose key players and potentially suffer long-term setbacks.
Definition and Purpose
The Protected List in hockey is a list of players that a team has designated as “untouchable” during the off-season for other teams to poach during the Expansion Draft. The list ensures that a team can protect its core players from being drafted by the newly formed team.
The purpose of the Protected List is to help maintain balance in the league by preventing one team from stockpiling all of the best players. This rule also allows the newly formed team to build a competitive roster while preventing other teams from being decimated by losing too many players.
Each NHL team is allowed to protect a certain number of players on their roster. Teams can choose between protecting seven forwards, three defensemen, and one goalie, or eight skaters (forwards or defensemen) and one goalie. This decision depends on the team’s priorities and the quality of their players in each position.
Why Is the Protected List Important?
Protection for important players: The protected list is crucial for teams to secure their important players who they want to keep on the team for the upcoming season. These players can be expensive, in their prime or even key leaders, making it crucial to keep them on the team.
Affects team’s future: The protected list is a vital tool that helps determine the future of the team, as it provides a glimpse into the direction of the franchise. Teams can decide to protect their younger players, indicating they are prioritizing their future, or protect older, established players, suggesting they are looking to win now.
Impacts player movement: The protected list also plays a significant role in player movement. Players not on the protected list can be drafted by an expansion team or traded, leading to a reshuffle of players and affecting the team’s performance.
Strategic planning: The protected list is not just a list, but a strategic planning tool used by general managers to manage their teams’ salary cap and asset allocation, balancing short-term success and long-term development goals.
Impact on Teams and Players
Team Management: The protected list is a critical tool for team management in the NHL. It allows teams to protect their most valuable players and plan for the upcoming draft. Teams must carefully consider their decisions and balance their short-term and long-term goals.
Player Status: Players who are included on a team’s protected list receive a sense of security and validation. Being left off the list can create uncertainty and anxiety for players, as it suggests that they may not be as highly valued by the team.
Draft Implications: The protected list impacts the expansion draft and subsequent entry draft. Teams must balance their desire to protect their top players with the need to leave enough players available for selection by the expansion team. The protected list can also influence a team’s draft strategy by highlighting areas of need.
League-Wide Significance: The protected list is important not only for individual teams but also for the league as a whole. It helps to promote parity and fairness by ensuring that expansion teams have access to a pool of quality players.
When Does the NHL Release the Protected List?
The NHL’s protected list is released every year in June, ahead of the expansion draft. This is done to allow teams to protect their most valuable players from being selected by the expansion team.
The exact date of the release can vary from year to year, but it typically falls around the middle of the month. Teams must submit their protected lists to the NHL by a certain deadline, after which the league will make the lists public.
It’s important to note that the protected list is not set in stone and can be changed up until the deadline. Teams can make trades or sign players that affect their protected list, so it’s always a good idea to keep an eye on the news leading up to the deadline.
Once the protected list is released, it generates a lot of buzz among fans and media alike. Everyone wants to see who their team has decided to protect and who they’ve left exposed to the expansion draft.
Timing and Key Dates
Every year, the NHL releases the protected list in June, usually a week before the NHL Entry Draft. This timing allows teams to finalize their protected players before the draft, where they can make additional trades and picks.
The 2021 NHL season was an exception due to the pandemic. The league postponed the Expansion Draft by one year, meaning that the protected lists for the Seattle Kraken were released on July 18, 2021.
The NHL also has strict deadlines for submitting the protected list. Teams must submit their lists to the league before a set deadline, or they risk losing the ability to protect any players.
Other key dates surrounding the release of the protected list include the NHL Entry Draft and the start of free agency. The timing of these events can have a significant impact on the decisions teams make regarding their protected players.
How Do Teams Choose Their Protected List?
Contractual Obligations: Teams are required to protect players with no-movement clauses in their contracts unless the player agrees to waive the clause.
Value to the Team: Teams will typically protect players that they deem to be important contributors to the team, whether they are star players or key role players.
Age and Potential: Young players with high potential are often protected to prevent them from being taken by another team.
Exposure Requirements: Teams must expose a certain number of players who meet certain requirements, such as playing a certain number of NHL games in the previous season or being under contract for the upcoming season.
Salary Cap Considerations: Protecting players with large salaries can have implications on a team’s salary cap situation, so teams may leave some high-priced players unprotected.
Factors Considered in Selection
Teams have to make difficult decisions when choosing their protected list, taking into account a number of factors such as player skill level, contract status, and age. They also consider the player’s fit within the team’s system and their potential to contribute to the team’s future success.
Salary cap implications are also a key consideration, as teams need to ensure they are staying within the league’s financial guidelines while still protecting their core players. In some cases, teams may also choose to protect players based on their leadership qualities or their importance to team morale.
Ultimately, each team’s decision-making process is unique and can be influenced by a variety of internal and external factors. It’s a delicate balancing act between protecting key assets and keeping the team’s long-term goals in mind.
Strategies for Balancing Protection and Exposure
Choosing the players to protect on a team can be a complex task, as teams must balance protecting their top players with exposing others to the expansion draft. Here are some strategies that teams may consider:
- Protecting key players: Teams may prioritize protecting their most important players, such as top forwards, defensemen, and goaltenders. These players are typically the ones that contribute the most to the team’s success.
- Exposing underperforming players: Teams may use the expansion draft as an opportunity to shed players who have not lived up to expectations, freeing up salary cap space and roster spots.
- Making deals with the expansion team: Teams may negotiate with the expansion team to ensure that certain players are not selected in the draft, potentially by offering draft picks or other assets in exchange.
- Considering player age and contract status: Teams may prioritize protecting younger players or players with long-term contracts, as they may be viewed as more valuable assets for the future.
- Assessing the expansion team’s needs: Teams may try to predict which players the expansion team is most likely to target and adjust their protected list accordingly.
Ultimately, the strategy a team chooses will depend on their individual circumstances and goals for the future.
Exceptions to the Protected List Rule
While the protected list is a crucial tool for NHL teams to retain their key players, there are some exceptions to the rule. Here are some situations where a team may not be required to protect a player:
- Players with no-move clauses: If a player has a no-move clause in their contract, the team is required to protect them, but the player has the right to waive their no-move clause if they do not want to be protected.
- First and second-year players: These players are exempt from the expansion draft and do not need to be protected.
- Injured players: If a player has a serious injury and is expected to miss a significant amount of time, the team may choose not to protect them, as it is unlikely that the expansion team will select them.
It’s important to note that these exceptions do not apply in all cases and may vary depending on the specific circumstances of the expansion draft.
What Happens After the Protected List Is Released?
After the protected list is released, teams can begin to prepare for the upcoming Expansion Draft. The draft itself typically takes place a few days after the release of the protected list. Teams will have to decide which players to expose and which ones to protect, taking into account factors such as player contracts and potential expansion team needs.
The expansion team, in turn, will review the list and determine which exposed players they would like to draft. If a player is selected, they will immediately become a member of the expansion team. The expansion team must select at least one player from each existing team, with a minimum of 14 forwards, nine defensemen, and three goaltenders.
After the Expansion Draft, the NHL will hold its annual Entry Draft. Teams will have the opportunity to select new players to add to their rosters, while the expansion team will have the first pick in each round of the draft.
Expansion Draft and Team Reactions
After the protected list is released, the NHL holds an expansion draft in which the new team selects players from the unprotected list. This often results in some teams losing valuable players to the expansion team, while others are able to keep their key players.
Team reactions to the expansion draft can vary depending on the outcome. Teams that lose key players may feel frustrated or disappointed, while teams that are able to keep their core players may feel relieved or even grateful. Some teams may also use the expansion draft as an opportunity to make trades and restructure their rosters.
Overall, the expansion draft can be a stressful and uncertain time for teams and players alike. It can also bring about significant changes to the league’s landscape, both in terms of the expansion team’s emergence and the impact on the rosters of existing teams.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a protected list in hockey?
A protected list in hockey is a list of players that a team wishes to protect from being selected by another team in an expansion or entry draft. Each team is allowed to protect a certain number of players depending on the league’s rules and regulations.
When is the NHL’s protected list typically released?
The NHL’s protected list is typically released a few days before the expansion or entry draft. The exact date varies from year to year, but it is usually in the days leading up to the draft.
How do teams choose which players to protect?
Teams choose which players to protect based on a variety of factors, including a player’s skill level, age, contract status, and potential for future development. Each team must make difficult decisions about which players to protect and which to expose to the draft.
What happens if a player is not on a team’s protected list?
If a player is not on a team’s protected list, they are eligible to be selected by another team in the draft. The selecting team must follow certain rules and regulations regarding how many players they can select from each team, but ultimately they have the ability to choose any eligible player that they want.
Can teams make trades involving their protected list?
Yes, teams are allowed to make trades involving their protected list. For example, a team may trade a player that they would otherwise protect in exchange for a draft pick or a player that they believe is more valuable to their team.