Jul 17, 2021
Off-Season Watch: Blue Jackets planning to leave Domi unprotected
Ahead of a busy off-season that includes the Seattle Expansion Draft, TSN.ca keeps you up to date with all the latest rumours and speculation from around the NHL beat.
TSN.ca Staff
DOMI ON HIS WAY OUT?
With teams putting the finishing touches on their protected lists, it appears Max Domi will be left unprotected, according to TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger.
Dreger adds that he would "be surprised if Seattle doesn’t claim [Domi]."
The 26-year-old scored nine goals and added 15 assists in 54 games with the Blue Jackets last season.
Prior to his time in Columbus, he spent two seasons in Montreal, scoring 45 goals in 153 games.
MAKAR, AVS HAVING “CORDIAL CONVERSATIONS”
Brian Bartlett, agent for Cale Makar, says no news on a new contract but both sides are having “cordial conversations," according TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun.
Makar set to become a restricted free agent.
The 22-year-old netted eight goals with 36 assists over 44 games with the Avs this season.
He won the Calder Memorial Trophy as the league’s top rookie last year.
DUNN WITH THE BLUES?
NHL teams must submit their protection list for the Seattle Expansion Draft on Saturday and the St. Louis Blues appear to be using every minute of their time.
Vince Dunn's name has been thrown out there, according to TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun.
Vince Dunn's name is out there a bit, which makes sense as the Blues navigate their protection list. But doesn't necessarily mean he will move. If you're the Blues, do you protect 4 D, or leave Dunn exposed in a 7-3-1, or take best trade for him before 3 p.m. ET trade freeze...
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) July 17, 2021
LeBrun speculates that the Blues could protect four defencemen, or leave Dunn exposed and protect seven forwards and four defencemen.
With the possibility of losing Dunn in the expansion draft, another route St. Louis could take is trading him before the 3 p.m. ET / Noon PT trade freeze.
Dunn, 24, had six goals and 20 points in 43 games last season with the Blues.