from Pierre LeBrun of ESPN,

A future ruling by the NHL looms large over the expansion draft decisions of the Columbus Blue Jackets. Right winger David Clarkson is among the five players listed on the official protection list that the league distributed to all 31 clubs last month.

That's because Clarkson has a no-movement clause, just like Blue Jackets teammates Brandon Dubinsky, Sergei Bobrovsky, Nick Foligno and Scott Hartnell. All five are on the list of 66 names who must be protected for the expansion draft -- which begins on June 17 -- unless they waive their no-movement clause.

Clarkson, 32, hasn't played since March 11 and is once again on long-term injured reserve. He has three more years on his deal after this season at a $5.25 million cap hit. Needless to say, the last thing the Jackets want to do is use one of their protected list spots on him.

Teams have two format choices for their protected lists: either 7-3-1 (seven forwards, three defensemen and a goalie) or 8-1 (eight skaters regardless of position and a goalie).

At some point, the NHL will rule on injured players like Clarkson, Nathan Horton (Toronto Maple Leafs) and Ryane Clowe (New Jersey Devils), all three of whom are on the list of 66 protected players.

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