Lucic waives no-movement clause to help Flames in expansion draft

Calgary Flames veteran Milan Lucic has agreed to waive his no-movement clause to provide general manager Brad Treliving some much-needed flexibility for the Seattle Kraken expansion draft, Lucic told Sportsnet's Eric Francis.

Each NHL team can protect seven forwards, three defensemen, and one goalie ahead of the expansion selection, or eight skaters and one goalie. Players with full NMCs are automatically exempt and must be protected.

While the move means the league's 32nd franchise could poach Lucic from the Flames, he hopes to stick with them.

"I really do enjoy it here in Calgary, and I'd love nothing more than to spend the rest of my career here," he said.

Lucic is in his second season with the Flames and recently played in his 1,000th NHL game. He's notched nine goals and 11 assists in 50 contests this year.

The 32-year-old's decision certainly helps his team, but Treliving is still at risk of losing a good player. Calgary now has an easier path to a 7-3-1 protection scheme, but that could leave captain Mark Giordano exposed. The Flames are unlikely to protect the 37-year-old Norris Trophy winner and his $6.75-million cap hit at the expense of younger, cheaper blue-liners in Chris Tanev, Rasmus Andersson, and Noah Hanifin.

Andrew Mangiapane, Mikael Backlund, or Dillon Dube could be exposed to Calgary's future division rival if the Flames opt for an eight-skater scheme and protect Giordano.