The Bruins are one of many teams in the NHL who will likely protect seven forwards, three defensemen and one goaltender, since going with eight skaters (which teams with deep defensive corps) will leave one of their top goal scorers vulnerable.
Forward Decisions
Boston has three forwards in David Krejci, Patrice Bergeron and David Backes who have no movement clauses, which have to be protected under the expansion draft guidelines. These players can be exposed if they agree to waive this protection, but it is unlikely that GM Don Sweeney would do so with Bergeron (the club’s top center) and Backes, who was brought in as a free agent last July.