Latest Expansion Results into Round 15

With the scoops that nobody else has, the Rover Report brings you the latest news live from the expansion draft. First, for Rover fans, Manny Malhotra and Mark Recchi were both selected (Malhotra by the Falcons, and Recchi by the Crystals) in the ninth round. Up to two more Rovers may be selected (Stillman, Hill, and Hedberg are still exposed) before the draft is complete.

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Round 1
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Ward Chris Osgood (500)
Daniel Karlis Skrastins (FUN)
Doug Rick DiPietro (CAP)
Jean Curtis Joseph (SPA)

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Round 2
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Jean Oleg Kvasha (EAG)
Doug Chris Chelios (DEF)
Daniel Cale Hulse (ROA)
Ward Vladimir Malakhov (SOC)

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Round 3
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Ward Chris Gratton (DEF)
Daniel Radek Dvorak (GPS)
Doug Paul Kariya (ROA)
Jean Saku Koivu (SOC)

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Round 4
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Jean Jason Smith (VAM)
Doug Rob Niedermayer (MOU)
Daniel Boris Mironov (TME)
Ward Jason Cullimore (EAG)

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Round 5
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Ward Scott Thornton (FUN)
Daniel Mark Eaton (GPS)
Doug Darryl Sydor (SOC)
Jean Trevor Letowski (YDP)

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Round 6
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Jean Alexander Khavanov (500)
Doug Ronald Petrovicky (SPE)
Daniel Ethan Moreau (YDP)
Ward Jamie Langenbrunner (DEF)

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Round 7
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Ward Sergei Zholtok (YDP)
Daniel Vladimir Orszagh (YDP)
Doug David Tanabe (SPE)
Jean Marek Malik (REA)

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Round 8
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Jean Nolan Pratt (STR)
Doug Matt Cooke (SOC)
Daniel Ossi Vaananen (SPA)
Ward Dallas Drake (FUN)

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Round 9
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Ward Ron Francis (STR)
Daniel Mike Rathje (AVI)
Doug Manny Malhotra (ROV)
Jean Mark Recchi (ROV)

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Round 10
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Jean Eric Boguniecki (VAM)
Doug J-S Aubin (FUN)
Daniel Branko Radivojevic (GAR)
Ward Andrew Cassels (AVI)

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Round 11
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Ward Dan Hinote (CAP)
Daniel Scott Nichol (GPS)
Doug Kurt Sauer (GAR)
Jean Ruslan Salei (AVI)

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Round 12
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Jean Stephane Veilleux (GPS)
Doug Mike Grier (SPE)
Daniel Niklas Hagman (MOU)
Ward Aki Berg (FRE)

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Round 13
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Ward Magnus Arvedson (REA)
Daniel Greg Johnson (TME)
Doug Mattias Weinhandl (TME)
Jean Steve Begin (THU)

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Round 14
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Jean Tom Kostopolous (TME)
Doug Daymond Langkow (VAM)
Daniel Martin Gelinas (THU)
Ward Teppo Numminen (SEL)

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Round 15
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Ward Jamie McLennan (SPE)
Daniel Jason Doig (THU)
Doug Jarkko Ruutu (THU)
Jean

Malhotra Ripe for Picking

Iqaluit, NU (CP)

With the expansion draft on the horizon, people around the Rovers knew that there was very little chance that those facing unrestricted free agency would be protected by the club. Veterans Mark Recchi, Cory Stillman, and Sean Hill all knew that they would be facing the possibility of being selected by a new club. However, late word from the commissioner's office regarding the status of two young players forced the club into a difficult decision, one which will likely see Manny Malhotra in an expansion uniform very soon.

The ruling was on the status of forwards Alexander Frolov and Adam Hall, whom the club had thought were exempt from the expansion draft under the 10 RHL game rule (each having played less than 10 regular season games in RHL14). However, upon further clarification that the rule included playoff games in a given year, both required protection and forced the decision on Malhotra. "Basically we were caught a bit off guard", Stringer said of the ruling, "but I guess that was something that I should have sought clarification on two seasons ago. I didn't. So then it came down to (Jeff) Halpern or Malhotra. We want to give ourselves every chance to retain Jeff through the auction process".

Halpern did not have his salary demand met by the team, so he will be testing free agency with the Rovers having the right to match. In making this move, the club risks losing Malhotra and then not being able to retain Halpern, however they feel that trying to keep Halpern is that important. Malhotra joins the aforementioned Recchi, Stillman, Hill, and goaltender Johan Hedberg as Rovers eligible for selection in the expansion draft. Forwards Demitra, Draper, Jokinen, Legwand, Halpern, Frolov, Laaksonen, Murray, and Hall, defenseman Pronger, Markov, Johnsson, Regehr, and Brewer, and goaltender Marty Gerber have all been protected, while forwards Bergeron and Horton, defensemen Liles, and Montador, and goaltender Chris Mason are exempt from selection.

Rovers tab two in dispersal draft

Iqaluit, NU (CP)

After a playoff run that came up short in the seventh game of the semi-final, the Rovers are now in full off-season mode. First up is the dispersal draft, where the Rovers picked 24th of 26 in each round. Not expecting to see much at that slot, the team was pleasantly surprised to land young defenseman Michal Barinka in the first round and agitating forward Ryan Hollweg in the second round. Barinka, a third round pick of the Wicked Ale in RHL13, and Hollweg, a fourth rounder in RHL12, are both likely to spend the next season in the minor leagues and compete for a roster spot in RHL17. "We really like Barinka's potential", Stringer said of his first selection. "He's a big guy with skill that really complements our stable of young Dmen with Phaneuf, Michalek, Seidenberg, and Schubert. And Hollweg is the type of guy that you want on your energy line to mix it up. He'll work well with your group of forwards".

Next up are decisions regarding the expansion draft. The Rovers expect to be exposing a number of quality players, though the exact names have yet to be released. Keep it on the Rover Report to get the word first.