Expansion Draft Extravaganza: Who to protect in San Jose?

You, dear reader, have spoken. The San Jose Sharks will protect seven forwards, three defensemen, and a goaltender in our Expansion Draft Extravaganza.

Now, comes the hard part, as we determine who is protected. According to the NHL’s official rules, each team must expose the following players:

i) One defenseman who is a) under contract in 2017-18 and b) played in 40 or more NHL games the prior season OR played in 70 or more NHL games in the prior two seasons.

ii) Two forwards who are a) under contract in 2017-18 and b) played in 40 or more NHL games the prior season OR played in 70 or more NHL games in the prior two seasons.

iii) One goaltender who is under contract in 2017-18 or will be a restricted free agent at the expiration of his current contract immediately prior to 2017-18. If the club elects to make a restricted free agent goaltender available in order to meet this requirement, that goaltender must have received his qualifying offer prior to the submission of the club’s protected list.

With all of that in mind, who should the Sharks protect? Make your voice heard here, and in the survey embedded below! You have until 11:59 pm PST tonight to vote.