Wild predictions

These are the players hockey writer Michael Russo expects the Wild to protect and expose for the expansion draft:

Protected list

Forwards: Zach Parise, Mikko Koivu, Jason Pominville, Mikael Granlund, Nino Niederreiter, Charlie Coyle and Jason Zucker.

Defensemen: Ryan Suter, Jared Spurgeon and Jonas Brodin.

Goaltender: Devan Dubnyk.

Exposed list

Forwards: Eric Staal, Erik Haula, Chris Stewart, Martin Hanzal, Ryan White, Jordan Schroeder, Kurtis Gabriel, Pat Cannone, Zack Mitchell, Brady Brassart and Ryan Carter.

Defensemen: Matt Dumba, Marco Scandella, Gustav Olofsson, Christian Folin, Nate Prosser, Mike Weber, Victor Bartley, Alex Gudbranson.

Goaltenders: Alex Stalock, Darcy Kuemper.

Note: Players not listed are expansion exempt.