If the Anaheim Ducks' expansion draft strategy was to let the situation play itself out, the situation has since been muddled.
As they're configured right now, Anaheim's one of a handful of teams that must seriously consider exposing a greater percentage of its total roster in order to preserve four defenders. Because veteran Kevin Bieksa is protected with a no-movement agreement, either Hampus Lindholm, Sami Vatanen, or Cam Fowler will be exposed should they choose the opposite.
With Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry, and Ryan Kesler safeguarded from selection, and an emerging star in Rickard Rakell locked into an incredibly cost-effective long-term deal, Jakob Silfverberg has been the trendy, if not obvious, choice in mock drafts.
It goes without saying, Silfverberg would be a major coup for the Vegas Golden Knights. But here's the thing: he's playing far too well right now to cough up for free.
Silfverberg scored his 13th goal and earned his 29th point in Thursday's 4-1 win over the Avalanche. He leads the team in shots, lands comfortably on the right side of the possession war, and will blow by his career-best totals shortly after the All-Star break.
This is a player the Ducks have to keep. But at what cost? An All-Star?
Similarly, Fowler is having a career season.
He ranks third among defenders league wide with nine goals, and logs a team-high 24:43 minutes a night. He's been indispensable for Anaheim, and remains relatively cheap for one more season. And he'll ride shotgun with Kesler to Los Angeles for the All-Star Game at the end of the month.
At this point, trading Sami Vatanen - himself another talented defender recently signed to a reasonable long-term contract - for a top-six forward or high-end prospect might be the most advantageous option in terms of preserving assets.
Regardless, Bob Murray will soon swallow a bitter pill.
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