This offseason will be filled with unknowns and the upcoming expansion draft is a big factor into why this summer could be more enigmatic than usual.
It will be a nightmare for many general managers as they try to project their roster next season, and they have the Vegas Golden Knights to thank for that.
Blue Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen knows it will be a painstaking process trying to decide who should be protected and exposed in the draft. He at least doesn't have to worry about the possibility of David Clarkson refusing to waive his no-move clause after he was granted an exemption.
Kekalainen knows one undeniable fact and it won't sit well with a lot of fans: the Blue Jackets stand to let go of a good player during this process.
In an interview with Jody Shelley and Bob McElligott, Kekalainen had already talked about the up and coming prospects. He was also asked about what the team has done to mitigate any potential loss at the hands of the Golden Knights at the expansion draft.
"Well, those kind of conversations have been going on for a while with (Vegas general manager) George McPhee and the Las Vegas team," said Kekalainen. "They're ongoing (as) we get towards the expansion draft and we'll do the best we can."
Since the final payment was made by owner Bill Foley on the Golden Knights, they've been able to negotiate and talk with other teams about the draft. That payment was made right at the trade deadline. Speculation was made that they talked with teams, but this looks to be the first concrete evidence that a team already in the league has made contact with the Golden Knights.
For a refresher on the rules of the expansion draft, the NHL has you covered:
a) Seven forwards, three defensemen and one goaltender
b) Eight skaters (forwards/defensemen) and one goaltender
* All players who have currently effective and continuing "No Movement" clauses at the time of the Expansion Draft (and who to decline to waive such clauses) must be protected (and will be counted toward their club's applicable protection limits).
* All first- and second-year professionals, as well as all unsigned draft choices, will be exempt from selection (and will not be counted toward their club's applicable protection limits).
After initial push-back about the lists not being revealed before the expansion draft itself, the public will get access to the list prior to the draft on June 21, presenting a potentially awkward - but forthcoming, at the very least - moment for players and front offices.
Kekalainen knows the road ahead may be tough and it sounds like he is prepared for the worst.
"We're going to lose a good player, there is no way around it," Kekalainen said. "We're going to do the best we can to protect the assets we have, and to have the best possible team on the ice for the Columbus Blue Jackets come next year. But unfortunately we're going to lose one player and there's no way around it."
