Just about every move any NHL team makes these days has to be executed with something extra in mind -– the upcoming expansion draft next summer, when Las Vegas will select one exposed player from each of the 30 current clubs.
Yes, that means the Sharks will lose someone in their organization to the still-to-be-named team that will begin play in the Pacific Division for the 2017-18 season.
To review, NHL teams have two options when it comes to players they can protect -– one goaltender and eight skaters; or one goaltender, three defensemen and seven forwards.