I understand that the Colorado Avalanche may have had some tough decisions with the expansion draft; however their one tough decision should have been off the table as soon as Francois Beauchemin was bought out.
The expansion draft protection list should have been a no-brainer from there. Unfortunately, the Avalanche made a bone-headed move by exposing Mikhail Grigorenko.
The NHL Awards Show starts at 6:00pm MST on Wednesday night, and the Avs are likely to lose Grigo to the Las Vegas Golden Knights, getting absolutely nothing in return.
Even if they have no intention of bringing him back next season, they should have still protected him for the value he may have as a prospect in a trade.