NHL teams receive details on expansion draft that will cause major roster changes.

According to a report from Sportsnet insider Chris Johnston, National Hockey League organizations have begun receiving detailed information on what is presumed to be the upcoming expansion draft. Johnston believes that based on the information he has been provided we are in for significant roster moves this summer.

Johnston cites the new rules governing the experience requirements for players who must be exposed by each team as well as the restrictions on protected players as the motivating factor behind what he expects to be "roster jockeying in the leadup to the anticipated June 2017 draft."

A minimum of two forwards and one defenceman must be exposed who have played 40 games the previous season, or a total of 70 over the previous two.

There is also a requirement that the 40/70 players are under contract for the first expansion season.

This is significant because teams are only allowed to protect seven forwards, three defencemen and one goalie, and any player with a no trade or no movement clause in his contract must automatically be protected. To give a glaring example of how this could be problematic, Columbus' David Clarkson has a no trade and while Columbus would likely prefer not to protect him, they must.

An example where this is likely to force a trade can be seen in the Cup Final. Marc-Andre Fleury has a limited no trade clause, and if he remains on the roster Pittsburgh would be forced to protect him, exposing Matt Murray to the expansion draft, where he would certainly be picked.

Significant changes could to be made to every NHL roster this summer.

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