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Reports: Hartnell, Ladd, Boychuk not asked to waive no-move clauses

Los Angeles Kings v Columbus Blue Jackets

COLUMBUS, OH - DECEMBER 20: Scott Hartnell #43 of the Columbus Blue Jackets warms up prior to the start of the game against the Los Angeles Kings on December 20, 2016 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)

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Monday was the deadline for NHL teams to ask players to waive no-movement clauses so they could be exposed to the NHL expansion draft on June 21. With that deadline looming we learned about a couple of players that have been asked to waive, including Ottawa Senators defenseman Dion Phaneuf (no word yet on his decision) and Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury (he was asked in February, and agreed to waive it).

We also learned about a few players that were not asked to waive their no-move clauses and will have to be protected by their teams.

Among those are Columbus Blue Jackets forward Scott Hartnell (via the Columbus-Dispatch), and New York Islanders players Andrew Ladd and Johnny Boychuk (via Arthur Staple). Larry Brooks of the New York Post also reports that the Rangers did not ask defensemen Dan Girardi or Marc Staal to waive theirs.

The Blue Jackets and Islanders situations create some interesting scenarios.

When it comes to the Blue Jackets, Aaron Portzline of the Columbus-Dispatch digs into the possibility that Columbus and Vegas already have a deal in place. There has been speculation that Vegas might be willing to take on David Clarkson’s contract if Columbus is willing to include a draft pick or a prospect. Elliotte Friedman mentioned this in his most recent 30 thoughts column.

There is also the possibility that Columbus could buy out the remaining years of Hartnell’s contract. He has two years remaining on his current deal that carries a salary cap hit of $4.75 million. His production has been declining in recent years and he is coming off of a 2016-17 season that saw him score 13 goals and add 24 assists in 78 games.

When it comes to the Islanders, they are in an interesting position because they seem almost certain to lose a very good defenseman over the next week. The Islanders will almost certainly want to protect Nick Leddy and Travis Hamonic, while Boychuk will now be required to be protected along with them. That could leave a player like Calvin de Haan or Ryan Pulock exposed, unless the Islanders decide to forego the seven forward, three defensemen option and instead choose to protect eight skaters (four forwards, four defensemen).