Winnipeg Sun http://www.winnipegsun.com/2017/06/17/enstrom-waives-no-move-clause

Enstrom waives no-move clause Jets catch break as veteran D does organization a favour

BY KEN WIEBE, WINNIPEG SUN

Toby Enstrom is taking one for the team and putting his future in the hands of the Vegas Golden Knights.

Enstrom, who has spent 10 seasons in the / organization, has decided to waive his no-movement clause for the expansion draft only and he'll be available to be selected.

The news was first reported by Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet and confirmed by Enstrom's agent, Kalle Boden.

“I can confirm that Enstrom has waived his no-move as a favour to the Jets organization,” Boden said in an e-mail on Saturday. “He 100% wants to stay.”

Enstrom has endured plenty of tough times during his time in the organization and has qualified for the post-season just once, the four-game sweep to the Anaheim Ducks in 2015.

The Swedish blue-liner expressed his desire to remain with the Jets when speaking to reporters following his exit meeting.

That hasn't changed, but Enstrom knew the Jets were in a tough spot when it came to finalizing their protected list and provided a solution for general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff.

“Like I said, Enstrom is doing this as a favour to the organization where he has played his entire career and obviously has warm feelings for,” said Boden. “He has always been treated with respect and wanted to help them in a tricky situation.

“He truly believes that the Jets has a bright future that he wants to be a part of.”

Whether or not Enstrom gets to be part of that future is now up to Golden Knights GM George McPhee and his staff.

It's tough to pin down whether or not Enstrom makes sense to the Golden Knights, who will be looking for a blend of veterans and youth as they look to be competitive during their inaugural season.

One one hand, there aren't expecting to be many mobile defencemen who can play 20-plus minutes available in the expansion draft.

On the other, Enstrom has only one season left on his contract and it carries a $5.75 million average annual value, which is expensive for a guy who isn't producing the big offensive numbers he once did.

For those who have forgotten, Enstrom posted 50 and 51-point seasons with the Thrashers, which is one of the reasons he's being paid handsomely.

His role has evolved and he's been used more in a shutdown role with the Jets, though he has seen some time on the second power play.

Enstrom had one and 14 points in 60 games last season but still averaged just under 22 minutes per game of ice time and he's valued by his teammates and the coaching staff.

If Enstrom isn't chosen, the most likely player heading to the Golden Knights would be forward Marko Dano, who signed a one-year deal earlier this week.

By exposing Enstrom, the Jets will most likely protect one goalie (Connor Hellebuyck), three defencemen (Dustin Byfuglien, Jacob Trouba and Tyler Myers) and seven forwards (, Mark Scheifele, Bryan Little, Mathieu Perreault, Adam Lowry, Joel Armia and most likely Andrew Copp, who is a restricted free agent).

Had Enstrom not chosen to waive his no-move, the Jets would have been faced with a difficult decision, to either protect eight skaters (instead of seven forwards and three defence) or to make a side deal or two with the Golden Knights to ensure someone like Myers, Lowry or Perreault wasn't taken.

This selfless act by Enstrom takes that out of the equation.

Protected lists were due at 4 p.m. on Saturday and they'll be revealed on Sunday morning at 9 a.m. CT.

The big reveal won't come until Wednesday night, when the Golden Knights roster will be unveiled during the NHL Awards ceremony in Las Vegas.

You can be sure the next few days are going to be agonizing for Enstrom, who must now wait to see if he's going to leave the only organization he's ever known.

But by choosing to waive his no-movement clause (something he could have easily avoided), Enstrom has allowed the Jets to keep a few more assets, whether he gets to stick around or not.

CHOSEN FEW

Ken Wiebe's projected Winnipeg Jets protected list

Goalie Connor Hellebuyck

Defence Dustin Byfuglien (no-movement clause) Jacob Trouba Tyler Myers

Forwards Blake Wheeler Bryan Little Mark Scheifele Mathieu Perreault Adam Lowry Joel Armia Andrew Copp (restricted free agent)

Winnipeg Free Press http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/hockey/jets/enstrom-waives-no-movement-clause- with-jets-429109533.html

Enstrom waives no-movement clause with Jets

By: Jason Bell

Toby Enstrom has just helped out his hockey club immensely.

The Winnipeg Jets has agreed to waive his no-movement clause prior to the NHL expansion draft.

Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman first reported the news this afternoon, and Enstrom's agent, Kalle Bodén, reiterated the point to the Free Press.

"I can confirm that Enstrom has waived his no-move as a favour to the Jets organization. Tobias has played his entire career in the organization and has always been treated with the best respect," he said.

"He has warm feelings for the city and the Jets organization and wanted to help them out in a tricky situation.

"Enstrom is positive that the Jets has a bright future and he wants to be a part of that. Therefore he is 100% clear that he wants to stay."

That means the Jets can opt to protect seven forwards, three defencemen and one goalie prior to the expansion draft Wednesday.

By leaving Enstrom exposed, the Jets will likely shield forwards Mark Scheifele, Blake Wheeler, Bryan Little, Matthieu Perreault, Adam Lowry, Joel Armia and restricted free agent Andrew Copp, blue-liners Dustin Byfuglien, Jacob Trouba and Tyler Myers, and goalie Connor Hellebuyck from the expansion Vegas Golden Knights.

The protected lists of all 30 teams will be made public Sunday morning. http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/hockey/jets/sent-to-webnews-at-245-428710843.html

We're in Chevy season now, Jets fans

By: Scott Campbell

Kevin Cheveldayoff will be looking to minimize the loss of one of his players to the Vegas Golden Knights.

It has been more than two months since Winnipeg Jets fans have seen their team play and now general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff's season is finally here. There's nothing like a good old expansion draft to kick things off.

Things will happen quickly as he looks to minimize the loss of one of his players to the Vegas Golden Knights. There's also reason to hope the Jets might be involved in acquiring a useful player or two from 29 NHL opponents — by Vegas picking them from a team’s roster and trading them to the Jets.

First, let’s look at what Cheveldayoff might do with his current roster.

Expansion draft rules give the GM two options: protect seven forwards, three defencemen and a goalie, or eight skaters and a goalie.

If the Jets go the eight-skater route, the four defencemen will be Tobias Enstrom, Dustin Byfuglien, Jacob Trouba and Tyler Myers.

The forward group is helped because players with two years or less of professional experience are exempt from the draft. This leaves three locks to be protected — Blake Wheeler, Mark Scheifele and Bryan Little. The biggest argument among fans has been whether the Jets should keep Mathieu Perreault or Adam Lowry as the fourth forward.

In a Twitter poll I conducted on this question, the results were basically a split — 53 per cent for Perreault and 47 per cent for Lowry. The analytics community is strongly behind Perreault.

I'm not married to advanced statistics, but I always take them into serious consideration. In this case, Perreault's stats heartily back up what I see on the ice.

He’s a good top-six forward that had a tough start last season, both with "puck-luck" and injuries. He came storming back as a relentless forechecker who’s extremely smart with the puck.

With 13 goals, 32 assists and 45 points in 65 games, he provided good, top-end value. He makes his linemates better, wherever he plays on the roster. The one legitimate knock on him is that he often gets hurt and rarely plays a full season.

Lowry had a good year, as well. His 15 goals, 14 assists and 29 points in 82 games were a career best. The big centreman was the beneficiary of significant time on the power play and he produced decent numbers. His third-line duties had him facing tough competition and he performed admirably in a defensive role, as well as killing penalties.

Both players are aggressive and fearless in their own way. Perreault accomplishes this at the high speed that a top-six spot demands — Lowry at the slower pace of working the boards well and punishing an opponent when he can.

Two good players, but they aren’t equals. For me, it comes down to this: It's much easier to replace a good bottom-six forward than it is to acquire a good top six one.

One can counter with the age difference (five years) and the injury concerns, but that isn't enough to close the gap. Perreault shows no signs of slowing down.

While it looks like Lowry is head coach Paul Maurice's most-favoured player, Perreault is Cheveldayoff's prized unrestricted free-agent signing (and re-signing). Maurice surely remembers how the loss of Michael Frolik adversely affected him and his club, so it’s likely they’ll do everything they can to keep them both.

I'm all in on that, at the right price.

This decision could be avoided by Enstrom waiving the no-movement clause in his contract, allowing the Jets to leave him unprotected. Cheveldayoff would then go 7-3-1, solving the problem.

I have a great deal of respect for Enstrom and if he was asked and declines to waive I'd fully understand.

Why would a player spend his whole NHL career with an organization (turning 33 years old in November) suddenly take a chance that he might be selected by Vegas, turning his life upside down?

I doubt the players association would be happy with any member giving up a right that it bargained hard to get in the collective agreement. Enstrom must surely appreciate what his union brothers have done for him.

At the same time, I’d only be mildly surprised if he waived — he’s a true team player. But knowing that the Jets would be better off with him doing that doesn’t overrule his family, friends and personal well-being.

Vegas might want him to help hit their salary-cap floor, then trade him before his contract expires at the end of next season. We've seen some strange player evaluations by GMs over the years, so one never knows.

The Jets will protect Connor Hellebuyck as their goalie but this draft offers opportunity to both challenge him and give the Jets a chance to win every night.

As Winnipeg is not known as a preferred destination for unrestricted free agents, they should be taking a serious run at New York Rangers backup goalie Antti Raanta and Washington Capitals backup Philipp Grubauer, via Vegas. At this point, nobody knows what unprotected players will be available, but it would be wise to take a chance on someone who might become the next Cam Talbot.

I'm dismissing the issue of which depth forwards should be left unprotected if Jets go 7-3-1, as that's a full column on its own.

There’ll be a few more days of hand-wringing among fans of all teams, but at least the answers are coming soon.

It’s Cheveldayoff’s time to take the ball and run with it. With a few good moves this summer he could make the Jets a contender next season. There’s no time like the present to get things moving.

Now that he has the ball, let’s hope he doesn’t punt it away.

Global Winnipeg http://globalnews.ca/news/3536782/winnipeg-jets-toby-enstrom-waives-no-move-clause/

Winnipeg Jets’ Toby Enstrom waives no-move clause

By Russ Hobson Sports Anchor/Reporter Global News

WINNIPEG – Winnipeg Jets defenceman Toby Enstrom is doing the team a huge favour.

Enstrom’s agent Kalle Boden confirmed that Enstrom has waived his no-move clause. The decision allows the Jets to leave Enstrom unprotected in the upcoming NHL expansion draft for the Vegas Golden Knights.

“I can confirm that Enstrom has waived his no-move.” Boden said in an e-mail.

The move probably signals the Jets will opt to protect one goalie, three defenceman and seven forwards. NHL teams also have the option to protect two less players by going with a total of eight skaters and one goalie. All players with a no-movement clause must be protected.

Without Enstrom waiving his no-move clause the Jets would have probably been forced to go with the second scenario or risk losing Tyler Myers to the Golden Knights. But by protecting only eight skaters the Jets would face the prospect of losing a player like Mathieu Perreault or Adam Lowry.

The Jets will now likely protect Myers, Dustin Byfuglien, and Jacob Trouba on the blueline. Connor Hellebuyck will surely be protected in goal while Mark Scheifele, Blake Wheeler, and Bryan Little are sure bets to be protected by the Jets on forward. The other four forward spots will likely be filled up with the likes of Perreault, Lowry, Andrew Copp, and Joel Armia.

All first and second year professionals are exempt from the draft meaning Patrik Laine, Nikolaj Ehlers, Josh Morrissey, Nic Petan and Brandon Tanev are all unavailable.

If Enstrom is not to the Knights liking, there’s a good chance the Jets will also leave Marko Dano, Shawn Matthias and Mark Stuart exposed for the expansion draft.

Enstrom, 32, has played 10 seasons for the Jets/Atlanta Thrashers organization. He has one season remaining on his five year contract that will pay him $5.75 million next season. Enstrom scored one goal and added 13 assists in 60 games last season.

The Jets had to submit their protected list earlier on Saturday with the NHL to release all the protected lists at 9:00 am on Sunday.

TSN 1290 (AUDIO LINKS) http://www.tsn.ca/radio/winnipeg-1290/beyak-jets-would-have-to-be-under-the-gun-to-let-lowry- go-1.781548

Beyak: Jets would have to be under the gun to let Lowry go

Dennis Beyak joins the Afternoon Ride to discuss the players the Winnipeg Jets are likely to submit on their protected list ahead of the expansion draft, and looks at the needs of the Jets beyond goaltender. http://www.tsn.ca/radio/winnipeg-1290/dreger-mcphee-not-tipping-his-hand-for-other-gms- 1.781524

Dreger: McPhee not tipping his hand for other GMs

TSN Hockey Insider joins the Afternoon Ride ahead of the expansion draft to discuss how Vegas Golden Knights GM George McPhee has been handling the process of adding a team to the NHL, and Dreger reviews the Drouin deal. www.winnipegjets.com https://www.nhl.com/jets/news/expansion-draft-primer/c-289962968

Expansion Draft Primer Protection lists due by 4:00pm CT on Saturday, June 17 by Ryan Dittrick @ryandittrick / WinnipegJets.com

The upcoming NHL Expansion Draft has been one of the off-season's great unknowns, but as of today and over the next few, the picture is about to get a whole lot clearer for the 31 franchises now involved.

The newly minted Vegas Golden Knights will select 30 players during Wednesday's draft, one from each of the existing teams. Clubs have the option of protecting either seven forwards, three defencemen and one goaltender, or any combinations of eight skaters (forwards and defenceman), and one goaltender.

"The hardest part is trying to figure out, not only your own [priorities], but trying to figure out the jockeying that goes around the league with respect to the other teams," General Manager Kevin Cheveldayoff said back on Apr. 10 during a year-end press conference.

In addition to the above criteria, teams are required to expose at least one defenceman and two forwards with 40 or more games played this past year, or 70-plus over the past two seasons combined.

Unsigned draft picks and all first and second-year pros are automatically exempt and do not count toward the protection limits.

They include:

Patrik Laine, Nikolaj Ehlers, Josh Morrissey, Nic Petan, Kyle Connor, Jack Roslovic, Brandon Tanev, Brenden Lemieux, Chase De Leo, Logan Stanley, Nelson Nogier, Jimmy Lodge, Jan Kostalek, Tucker Poolman, Jansen Harkins, Jamie Phillips and Eric Comrie. Players with no-movement clauses are automatically protected as well, but do count toward the protections limits unless the player(s) chooses to waive that clause.

Toby Enstrom and Dustin Byfuglien are the Jets' only two players that have no-movement clauses in their contracts. If either of these two players or anyone else around the league was asked to waive, the player was required to by this past Friday.

Cheveldayoff said that asking a player to waive was "not off limits" for the organization.

The players that finished the year on Winnipeg's playing roster that can either be protected or exposed are:

Forwards: Adam Lowry, Andrew Copp (RFA), Blake Wheeler, Bryan Little, Mark Scheifele, Joel Armia, Marko Dano, Mathieu Perreault, and Shawn Matthias. Defencemen: Tyler Myers, Jacob Trouba, Ben Chiarot (RFA) and Mark Stuart. Goaltenders: Connor Hellebuyck and Michael Hutchinson

The protected lists must be submitted by Saturday, Jun. 17 at 4:00pm CT. Two hours earlier at 2:00pm that same day, a trade and waiver freeze will go into effect and it won't be lifted until Thursday, Jun. 22, after Vegas' picks are unveiled.

The Golden Knights cannot select more than one player from each team, and must assemble a roster of 14 forwards, nine defencemen and three goalies.

While Cheveldayoff, Assistant General Managers Larry Simmons and Craig Heisinger, along with the pro scouting staff have assuredly worked through and prepared for all possible scenarios over the last few months, Head Coach Paul Maurice joked back on Apr. 10 that he already had his list done, but will not be heavily involved in the day-to-day due diligence leading up.

"At the end of it, the list will be populated by Kevin. There might be a line at some point where you need to decide on a player, and what's where I would weigh in," he said.

The protected lists will be publicly available beginning at 9:00am CT on Sunday, Jun. 18.

"When you look at what Vegas has to do, and there are parameters of what they have to pick and what they're allowed to pick, you try to do some prognosticating of your own [of] who those players might be," Cheveldayoff said. "We have done and will continue to do several mock drafts and … I think you'll see as teams get eliminated throughout the playoffs there will be more conversations, not only with Vegas, but side to side with different teams with different opportunities. It could lead to some changes but hopefully, for us, we'll find that right mixture that we're comfortable with."

The Expansion Draft will be held on this Wednesday, Jun. 21, just days before the annual Entry Draft.