Each day this week, we'll publish mock expansion keeper lists by division, beginning with the Atlantic. On Friday, we'll reveal our mock expansion Las Vegas Golden Knights team.

*NMC = No-movement clause

*All first- and second-year professionals, as well as all unsigned draft choices, will be exempt from selection (and will not be counted toward their club's applicable protection limits).

*Notable protected 2017 unrestricted free agents are kept based on an assumption they will re-sign with their respective teams before Las Vegas' window to negotiate with UFAs opens.

Boston Bruins

F D G David Krejci (NMC) Zdeno Chara Tuukka Rask Patrice Bergeron (NMC) Torey Krug David Backes (NMC) Colin Miller Brad Marchand Matt Beleskey David Pastrnak Ryan Spooner

The Bruins risk losing 2012 first-round pick Malcolm Subban, although his minor-league development may not give Vegas much reason to slot him into one of its three goalie spots.

Buffalo Sabres

F D G Ryan O'Reilly Rasmus Ristolainen Robin Lehner Kyle Okposo (NMC) Zach Bogosian Evander Kane Jake McCabe Tyler Ennis Zemgus Girgensons Marcus Foligno Johan Larsson

The decision-making process should not be difficult after yet another disappointing season in Buffalo. Keep the young, key players; expose the dead weight.

That said, Vegas may focus its attention on goaltenders Anders Nilsson and Linus Ullmark.

Detroit Red Wings

F D G Henrik Zetterberg Mike Green Petr Mrazek Frans Nielsen (NMC) Danny DeKeyser Gustav Nyquist Xavier Ouellet Justin Abdelkader Tomas Tatar Anthony Mantha Andreas Athanasiou

As loyal as the Red Wings are to players the club has developed, exposing Jimmy Howard, Niklas Kronwall, and Darren Helm is the right move at this point in the team's trajectory.

Florida Panthers

F D G Aleksander Barkov Keith Yandle (NMC) Roberto Luongo Vincent Trocheck Jason Demers Nick Bjugstad Aaron Ekblad Reilly Smith Jonathan Huberdeau Colton Sceviour Jonathan Marchessault

Florida has a big decision to make in goal - protect Robert Luongo, whose durability seems to be fading, or the younger, cheaper, but less established James Reimer?

Jaromir Jagr in Vegas? Yes please.

Montreal Canadiens

F D G Max Pacioretty Shea Weber Carey Price (NMC) Alex Galchenyuk Jeff Petry (NMC) Brendan Gallagher Nathan Beaulieu Andrew Shaw Alexander Radulov Phillip Danault Paul Byron

If Montreal can't come to terms on a contract extension with Alexander Radulov, he could very well be exposed, with Charles Hudon his likely replacement on this list.

Ottawa Senators

F D G Mike Hoffman Dion Phaneuf (NMC) Craig Anderson Zack Smith Erik Karlsson Derick Brassard Cody Ceci Mark Stone Kyle Turris Jean-Gabriel Pageau Ryan Dzingel

The Senators can expose Bobby Ryan, who - despite being the highest-paid player on the team - does not have an NMC in his deal. Ditching that $7.25-million cap hit would be a gift, but it's unlikely to happen.

A good defenseman could be lost here (likely Marc Methot or Chris Wideman), while Mike Condon may have played himself into consideration.

Tampa Bay Lightning

F D G Steven Stamkos (NMC) Victor Hedman (NMC) Andrei Vasilevskiy Ryan Callahan (NMC) Anton Stralman Nikita Kucherov Andrej Sustr Alex Killorn Ondrej Palat Tyler Johnson Jonathan Drouin

The fact Ryan Callahan has an NMC is rather unfortunate, since it means Vladislav Namestnikov will be exposed.

2012 first-round pick Slater Koekkoek hasn't emerged as a full-time NHL option with the Lightning, but could turn into a nice piece for the Golden Knights.

Toronto Maple Leafs

F D G Nazem Kadri Morgan Rielly Frederik Andersen James van Riemsdyk Jake Gardiner Tyler Bozak Connor Carrick Leo Komarov Connor Brown Josh Leivo Brendon Leipsic

Despite a measure of unforeseen success this season, Toronto should remain focused on building and therefore protect younger (and cheaper) forwards like Josh Leivo and Brendan Leipsic over veterans such as Eric Fehr and Matt Martin.

(Photos courtesy: Action Images)