Flames GM on expansion draft: We know foes’ vulnerabilities (Podcast)

Las Vegas will populate its roster with NHL players this June via an expansion draft. It’s expected to be a catalyst for a great many things this season from a player personnel perspective.

“You’re quite aware of it, and it’s influenced a number of decisions to date,” said Calgary Flames GM Brad Treliving, on the Marek Vs. Wyshynski podcast on Tuesday.

“Maybe not as prevalent that people would pick up on right away. But it’s pushed some signings that have happened to make sure that you’re compliant as far as the number of players you have to expose, No. 1. And No. 2, as time goes along, that it certainly will be the driver in the trade market, to a certain extent.”

Treliving said that teams are already prepared for what they need to do, and what their opponents are going to have to do to comply with expansion draft rules. To that end, he said the Flames have grouped teams into different tiers.

“Everybody’s done as least a preliminary study, not only of your own team but of all the other 29 teams, of who may be vulnerable in certain situations. And we’ve slotted teams in different groupings as far as where the issues might be, and the opportunities for us with one of the situations out there,” he said.

The expansion draft’s influence will be felt greatly at the trade deadline.

“As the season gets up and going, your first priority is how do we win a hockey game, first. But as time goes on here, as we get closer to the draft, it will push some deals,” said Treliving. “No matter what you do, in every transaction that you look at right now, you have that in the back of your mind: ‘If I’m going to add Player X, what does that do to me as far as expansion?’”

Listen to the Marek Vs. Wyshynski podcast above for the full interview; the conversation with GM Brad Treliving begins at the 30-minute mark.

Also in this edition of Marek Vs. Wyshynski, the boys are talking about:

– Early impressions of the 2016-17 season.

– The first coaches fired.

– The Edmonton Oilers and their potential CBA violation.

– Reader mail!

– News and notes from around the NHL.

The Marek vs. Wyshynski Podcast is hosted by Jeff Marek of Sportsnet and Greg Wyshynski of Yahoo Sports, breaking down the NHL on a (somewhat) daily basis with their particular brand of whimsy and with guest voices from around the hockey world. MvsW streams live while its being recorded: LISTEN HERE! [And if that doesn’t work, try here.]

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