Columbus Blue Jackets center Max Domi. Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Blue Jackets will leave Max Domi unprotected for expansion draft

By Erin Walsh | Last updated 7/17/21

As NHL teams begin putting the final touches on their protected lists, the Columbus Blue Jackets are reportedly expected to leave Max Domi unprotected for this summer's expansion draft, according to TSN's Darren Dreger.

Dreger adds that he would be surprised if the Seattle Kraken do not claim Domi.

Teams are putting the finishing touches on their protected lists. Hearing CBJ are planning on leaving Max Domi unprotected. I would be surprised if Seattle doesn’t claim him.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) July 17, 2021

The Kraken officially became the NHL's 32nd franchise in April 2021 by paying a $650 million expansion fee. The expansion draft allows the club to build a competitive roster with already established NHL players.

According to The Athletic's Aaron Portzline, the Blue Jackets might protect the following players:

Goaltender: Joonas Korpisalo (Elvis Merzlikins is exempt)
Defense: Seth Jones, Zach Werenski, Vladislav Gavrikov
Forward: Cam Atkinson, Oliver Bjorkstrand, Booner Jenner, Patrik Laine, Gustav Nyquist, Eric Robinson, Jack Roslovic

Domi is expected to miss the first few months of the 2021-22 season after undergoing surgery to repair a labral tear of his right shoulder last month. The 26-year-old had the least productive season of his career in his first year with the Blue Jackets, tallying 24 points (nine goals, 15 assists) in 54 games.

The Winnipeg native was drafted 12th overall in 2013 by the Arizona Coyotes. He spent three seasons in the desert before being traded to the Montreal Canadiens, where he spent the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons.

If Seattle takes Domi, he'll be off to his fourth team in seven seasons.

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