Friedman: Enstrom Helps Jets And Waives NMC

The biggest piece of the puzzle that was the Winnipeg Jets plans for the expansion draft has now fallen into place. According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, defenseman Tobias Enstrom has waived his No Movement Clause which will allow the Jets to leave him unprotected in the upcoming Expansion Draft.

 

“Huge favour” doesn’t even seem to properly describe it.

Enstrom waiving allows the Jets to go to the 7-3-1 protection scheme (7 forwards, 3 defensemen, 1 goalie) for the upcoming draft. Players who had a NMC in their contract by rule needed to be protected by the team which made things awkward as the Jets obviously had to (and would have anyway) protected Dustin Byfuglien and of course wanted to protect Jacob Trouba as well. Toby’s NMC meant a 3rd protected slot would have had to gone to him and if the Jets had interest in protecting Tyler Myers as well, then that would have forced the Jets to go to the 8-1 system (8 players regardless of position, 1 goalie)

Going 8-1 would have meant that the Jets either faced leaving Myers exposed to the draft or possibly a 3rd forward such as Adam Lowry, Andrew Copp or as some suggested even Matthiew Perreault.

Now the Jets have no such decision to deal with as things are pretty cut and dry…

The Jets also earlier this week signed Marko Dano to a one year deal which in effect allowed the Jets to expose him to the draft as well and protect Joel Armia. Before that, Dano did not qualify as a valid option to be left exposed in the draft as he was not under contract for the 2017-18 season.

Andrew Copp also met the Expansion Draft requirements, but as he is still an un-signed RFA he did not fall in to the NHL’s requirement that two forwards under contract for next season need to be left un-protected.

Shortly after Friedman broke the news of Enstrom’s agreement, he also tweeted a statement from Toby’s agent Kalle Boden:

We will still have to wait and find out if the Jets have worked out a minor deal with the Vegas Golden Knights to steer them away from taking Enstrom. While Toby’s age and contract doesn’t fit into what Vegas’ plans are, there is the option that they could turn around and trade Enstrom to another NHL club that could use a proven veteran defender.