Vegas Golden Knights Given Extra Time to Complete Expansion Draft Process

The National Hockey League announced on Monday that the Vegas Golden Knights will get an additional 24 hours to complete their expansion draft process. 

The Golden Knights originally had 48 hours to choose the players they wish to complete their original roster, but on Monday, Deputy Commissioner, Bill Daly let them know they would have 72 hours to make their selections. The other 30 franchises in the NHL need to submit their list of protected players to the Golden Knights by 10 AM on June 18. The Golden Knights will then have until 10 AM on June 21 to provide the NHL with who they have selected to fill out their roster. 

Vegas will also be allowed to sign any unrestricted or restricted free agents, left unprotected by their current clubs during the same window for the expansion draft. The same free agents would not be allowed to sign with one of the other teams, except the Golden Knights or their current one, until July 1. 

During the expansion draft process, the Golden Knights will select one player from each club, so that they end up with 30 players on their roster. The results of the expansion draft will be revealed during the 2017 NHL Awards, which will take place at the T-Mobile Arena, on June 21. 

Each of the 30 teams will have the option of protecting seven forwards, three defensemen and one goalie or a total of eight skaters, regardless of forwards or defenders, and one goalie. Any player with a no-movement clause must be protected, unless he waives it. First-year and second-year players, as well as unsigned draft picks are exempt from being able to be drafted by the Golden Knights, and therefore do not need to be protected. 

Of the 30 players that Vegas needs to select, they need at least 14 forwards, nine defensemen and three goalies. A minimum of 20 of those players will have to be under contract for the 2017-2018 season.

 

Tickets for the 2017 NHL Awards Show and Expansion Draft will range from 15 dollars to 30 dollars. The event will be televised live on NBC Sports and Sportsnet at 7:30 PM Eastern Time and 4:30 PM Pacific Time. 

Following the televised portion of the event, fans in attendance at T-Mobile Arena will be able to stay for an expansion draft recap and celebration event hosted by Golden Knights owner, Bill Foley, hockey operations and front office staff and select players. It will be the fans first opportunity to hear from some of the newly drafted Golden Knights.