Mock expansion keeper list: Central Division

Each day this week, we'll publish mock expansion keeper lists by division, and last but not least is the Central. On Friday, we'll publish our mock expansion Las Vegas Golden Knights roster.

Atlantic | Pacific | Metropolitan | Central

*NMC = No-movement clause
*All first- and second-year professionals, along with unsigned draft choices, will be exempt from selection (and will not be counted toward their club's applicable protection limits).
*Notable protected 2017 unrestricted free agents are kept based on the assumption they will re-sign with their respective teams before Las Vegas' window to negotiate with UFAs opens.

Chicago Blackhawks

• Thanks to numerous no-movement clauses, the Blackhawks protection list is practically automatic. Artemi Panarin and Nick Schmaltz being exempt certainly helps, too.
• With such a wide range of contract situations here, center Marcus Kruger - an important role player during two Stanley Cup runs - is likely to be exposed.

Colorado Avalanche

• Colorado's disastrous roster could look very different by next season, but leaving trade chips exposed for nothing simply isn't an option.
• There are plenty of ugly contracts on the roster - particularly Carl Soderberg, whose possible departure for Vegas would be a blessing for Colorado's brass.
• A No. 1 option in goal for the NHL's newest team could be Semyon Varlamov, though he does have two more years and $5.9 million remaining on his current deal.

Dallas Stars

• The Stars might wish for a world in which they could expose both Niemi and Kari Lehtonen based on their appalling seasons in goal, but Niemi ultimately gets the nod due to a smaller cap hit.
• GM Jim Nill said 2013 first-round pick Valeri Nichushkin, currently in the KHL, will probably be protected despite his slow development.

Minnesota Wild

• Minnesota is bound to lose a good player, be it a forward or defenseman.
• If GM Chuck Fletcher was to replicate the list above, forward Jason Zucker would be free, as would blue-liners Jonas Brodin and Marco Scandella.

Nashville Predators

• The rationale behind choosing to protect Mattias Ekholm over Ryan Ellis comes down to term, as Ekholm is under contract until 2022 at a reasonable cap hit, while Ellis is due for substantial raise in 2019.

St. Louis Blues

• With zero no-movement clauses to deal with, keeping the Blues' core intact seems relatively simple.

Winnipeg Jets

• Going with the four forwards, four defensemen, one goaltender strategy could lose the Jets one of Adam Lowry, Marko Dano, Joel Armia, or Andrew Copp, but securing both Myers and Trouba on the back end should be a priority with several strong forward prospects still in the system.

(Photos Courtesy: Action Images)