The NHL expansion draft is drawing closer by the day, but we now have a clearer picture as to whom the Seattle Kraken will pick by midweek. The protection lists for all 30 participating NHL teams have been revealed, and there are some interesting names left off the list.
Given the depth of many NHL teams, this expansion draft was always going to be a difficult exercise for general managers across the league. Even still, there are a handful of names left exposed for the Kraken to pick up that are head-turners, whether they be players already on the way out or players who were once thought essential but are now expendable.
With that in mind, here are the six most intriguing NHL players left off protected lists ahead of the upcoming expansion draft.