Expansion Draft: New York Rangers Sending Role Player to Seattle

The Seattle Kraken have July 17 marked on their calendars.as the deadline looms for every team in the NHL to submit their protected list for the expansion draft. From there the fun begins and the Kraken will announce their roster on July 21. Today we head to the Big Apple to take a look at who the New York Rangers are likely to lose.

For educational purposes:

Teams must submit their protected lists to the league by July 17
Each team must submit a protected list of seven forwards, three defensemen, and one goalie OR eight skaters and one goalie
Any player with a no-movement clause must be protected unless the player waives it
Each team must expose two forwards, one defenseman, and one goalie who are under contract and played at least 40 games this past season or 70 combined games over the last two seasons
Any player with a career-ending injury is exempt from selection
All first- and second-year players, as well as unsigned draft picks, are exempt from selection

Rangers Players to Watch:

Brett Howden: The 23-year-old center has size at 6'3 and is someone the Kraken could use on their fourth line. The former first-round pick of the Tampa Bay Lightning just recently signed a one year contract and one of the reasons was to be exposed in the draft. The Rangers don't have much exposed, and Howden who recorded seven points in 42 games may be the best player available for Seattle.

Julien Gauthier: Another former first-round pick who finds himself grinding for ice time, Gauthier is a 6'4 winger who hasn't quite found his game. Perhaps a move to Seattle and a defined role could kick-start his development. At 23 Gauthier still has a ton of upside and last season in 30 games he recorded eight points.