This bit of news is particularly pertinent for Blue Jackets fans.
In the months leading up to the expansion draft (which takes place June 18-21 in Las Vegas), the status of a certain group of players has been in question. The group could best be described as "players with no-move clauses on a team's payroll whose careers are most likely over," and Blue Jackets forward David Clarkson would fall into that category. Clarkson is unlikely to play again because of a serious back injury, and is now serving as head coach for the Upper Arlington hockey team in suburban Columbus.
Under the existing expansion rules, because of his no-move clause, Clarkson would have to be among the 11 players protected by the Blue Jackets, potentially exposing a valuable young player in the process. That's no longer the case, as reported by ESPN.com's Craig Custance today -- those players are exempt from the expansion draft.
The NHL sent a memo to teams today declaring a list of players exempt from the expansion draft as agreed upon w/NHLPA. Full list: pic.twitter.com/xanQ1PS0QX
— Craig Custance (@CraigCustance) May 2, 2017
This is huge for the Blue Jackets. Like, really huge. Ironically, the player traded for Clarkson (Nathan Horton, signed by the Blue Jackets in 2013 and who is also retired, for all intents and purposes) is also on the list.
More on this story as it develops.
