NHL Expansion Draft: 5 best players available for Golden Knights

May 31, 2017; Las Vegas, NV, USA: General overall view of the T-Mobile Arena exterior on Las Vegas Blvd. on the Las Vegas strip. The facility will be the home of the NHL expansion franchise Vegas Golden Knights which will begin play during the 2017-18 season. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

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May 22, 2017; Nashville, TN, USA; Anaheim Ducks defenseman Sami Vatanen (45) against the Nashville Predators in game six of the Western Conference Final of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Sami Vatanen

The Anaheim Ducks couldn’t get Kevin Bieksa to waive his no movement clause. They decided against buying him out, which will most likely cost them an extremely good defenseman. Sami Vatanen has been a consistent producer for the Ducks. Even with a significant injury in the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs, picking him is a no brainer for the Golden Knights. \

Vegas would be getting a top pairing defenseman. He might not be a great penalty killer, but Vatanen can move the puck and operate the power play impressively. Despite taking on much more difficult zone starts and competition in 2016-17, he still put up 24 points (three goals and 21 assists). Vatanen also played over 21 minutes per game.

Most likely, the Golden Knights will be able to build a strong blue line. The way the NHL expansion draft is set up, getting blue liners will be easier than getting forwards. Vatanen should lead a group of defensemen who could be surprisingly good.

Next: NHL Mock Expansion Draft

The Ducks will lose a very good defenseman. But at least they won’t be losing Jakub Silfverberg, who would be a significant loss for them. Anaheim, however, might be able to protect Vatanen by offering Vegas a side deal. But it would have to involve something significant for them to not take some as good as Vatnaen.

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