from Eric Stephens of the OC Register,
Kevin Bieksa could hold the keys to the kind of player the Ducks will lose in the upcoming NHL expansion draft.
The veteran defenseman has a no-movement clause in a contract that enters its final year in July. And with that, Bieksa can make the Ducks protect him along with the other three players with such clauses who’ll certainly be kept from the draft – Ryan Getzlaf, Ryan Kesler and Corey Perry.
The expansion Vegas Golden Knights will select one player from each of the other 30 teams, and Bieksa’s clause presents a challenge for the Ducks in terms of those they want to keep. The Ducks are aiming to protect seven forwards, three defensemen and one goalie.
To keep a critical forward such as Jakob Silfverberg from exposure, the Ducks were expected to ask Bieksa to waive his no-movement clause so that would allow them to protect either defenders Josh Manson or Sami Vatanen along with Hampus Lindholm and Cam Fowler.
Bieksa had to be notified of the team’s intent by 2 p.m.(PT) Monday and, if asked as is expected, has until Friday to decide if he’ll waive it or not. The team did not comment and Bieksa’s agent, Kurt Overhardt, would not confirm if his client had been asked.
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