Carolina Hurricanes: A Look Ahead at the Seattle Expansion Draft
By Austin Isham
![SEA ISLAND, GA - DECEMBER 04: (L to R) Adrian Hanauer, NHL Seattle franchise Vice-Chairman David Wright, Jay Deutsch, Jerry Bruckheimer, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, NHL Seattle franchise majority owner David Bonderman, Len Potter, and NHL Seattle franchise President and CEO Tod Leiweke pose for a photo during the NHL Board of Governors Meeting on December 4, 2018 in Sea Island, Georgia. The NHL Board of Governors approved expanding to Seattle, making the franchise the 32nd team in the league. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images) SEA ISLAND, GA - DECEMBER 04: (L to R) Adrian Hanauer, NHL Seattle franchise Vice-Chairman David Wright, Jay Deutsch, Jerry Bruckheimer, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, NHL Seattle franchise majority owner David Bonderman, Len Potter, and NHL Seattle franchise President and CEO Tod Leiweke pose for a photo during the NHL Board of Governors Meeting on December 4, 2018 in Sea Island, Georgia. The NHL Board of Governors approved expanding to Seattle, making the franchise the 32nd team in the league. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/85dbf62633bc3b38802692b31affb89748b6cb93ebf11d052b06277d13e2193a.jpg)
With the Seattle 2021 expansion draft quickly approaching, who might the Carolina Hurricanes lose off of their current roster?
December 4th, 2018 Seattle was awarded the NHL’s 32nd franchise. Taking a look at the current Carolina Hurricanes roster it appears as if they are going to lose an actually NHL roster player, rather than a depth AHL piece, this time around. The only question is who?
The NHL has announced that the rules would be the same for Seattle as it was for the Vegas Golden Knights in 2017. This means each team can either protect seven forwards, three defenseman and a goalie or eight skaters and a goalie. First and second year players are exempt and all players with no movement clauses must be protected by their team.
Since the draft is not until 2021, defenseman Justin Faulk and forward Erik Haula would have to be signed next offseason. For the time being, we will disregard them from our protected list since they currently do not meet the exposure requirements.