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Detroit Red Wings: Protection list revealed for Expansion Draft

By Mike Rizzo

Mar 30, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Detroit Red Wings goalie Petr Mrazek (34) looks on against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the third period at Amalie Arena. The Lightning defeated the Red Wings 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 30, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Detroit Red Wings goalie Petr Mrazek (34) looks on against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the third period at Amalie Arena. The Lightning defeated the Red Wings 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Detroit Red Wings, like the other 29 teams, revealed their protection list for the Expansion Draft that will be announced on Wednesday.

The Detroit Red Wings protected and unprotected list was revealed yesterday and the Red Wings left one player surprisingly unprotected: Petr Mrazek. Some other notables that are available for Vegas to pick are Darren Helm, Riley Sheahan, Luke Glendening and Jonathan Ericsson.

Of the players that are unprotected, Petr Mrazek is the most likely to be picked by Vegas. Mrazek, in my opinion, is a big part of the future for this team and should’ve been protected.

USA Today’s Kevin Allen was also surprised that the Red Wings left Mrazek unprotected, naming him one of the ten-best players available. Mrazek is only 25-years old and although he’s coming off a down season, he has a really bright future.

Another player that could be picked by Vegas is Darren Helm. Helm is coming off a injury riddled season last year and still has four years left on his contract. But Helm is a decent bottom six forward that Vegas could use. Helm is one of the best on the Red Wings at face-offs.

Helm consistently wins over 50 percent on the face-offs. Helm is also very good on the penalty kill  and would provide leadership to a team like Vegas. A big negative about Helm though is that contract he signed just last year.

Finally, the last player that I think the Golden Knights could pick is Riley Sheahan. He is still the one that I think the Golden Knights will take even though Mrazek is available. Sheahan, like Helm, is very good in the face-off circle and is good on the penalty kill.

But like Helm, Sheahan has a big negative. He is coming off a nightmare season were he didn’t score his first goal until the final game of the season. Sheahan is only 25 years old and only has one year left on his contract. Also, Sheahan can’t be as bad as he was last season.

Next: Early look at Lions 2017 opponents

I think Sheahan has a rebound season next year regardless if he’s still on the Red Wings. My guess is Sheahan is the pick for Vegas. Who do you think the Red Wings lose to Vegas? Comment below or tweet us!

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