Will Toronto need to protect Horton in an expansion draft because of his NMC?

At earliest the draft would take place next summer, which is after the final year of his NMC, so based on the understanding of the draft i have right now, he would not need to be protected

Players will have the right to to waive their NMC. Horton is a Toronto boy, he's knows he not going to be picked up, so why would he want to hurt the Leafs....He would waive his NMC.
Just giving an example of Horton, I think there will be "lots" that will waive this clause cause they know they won't be picked up. And this way your team can in effect protect some one more valuable, instead of losing them to expansion.