Detroit — They know they’re going to lose a player.
The Red Wings know that, along with the 29 other NHL teams that will give up one player to the expansion Vegas Golden Knights, who join the league this season.
The question becomes, who do you protect, and who do you leave unprotected and let the Golden Knights choose from?
Teams must submit their protection lists by Saturday at 5 p.m. Those lists will be released to the public Sunday at 10 a.m.
Each team is allowed to protect either seven forwards, three defensemen and one goalie — or go another route of eight skaters and one goalie.