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2017 NHL Expansion Draft Rules

June 22, 2016, 5:21 PM ET [22 Comments]
GARTH'S CORNER
NHL news by Garth • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Updated:

Congrats, Sin City!

Move over Elvis, Celine Dion and The Blue Man Group.

Here comes the NHL!

On Wednesday, the NHL Board of Governors finally awarded Las Vegas it's franchise. an expansion draft will take place after the 2016-17 season.

Las Vegas will be the eighth team in the Pacific Division and the 15th team in the Western Conference.


There are 16 teams in the Eastern Conference.


The following rules were approved for the 2017 Expansion Draft:

Protected Lists

* Clubs will have two options for players they wish to protect in the Expansion Draft:

a) Seven forwards, three defensemen and one goaltender

b) Eight skaters (forwards/defensemen) and one goaltender

* All players who have currently effective and continuing "No Movement" clauses at the time of the Expansion Draft (and who to decline to waive such clauses) must be protected (and will be counted toward their club's applicable protection limits).

* 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).

Player Exposure Requirements
* All Clubs must meet the following minimum requirements regarding players exposed for selection in the Expansion Draft:

i) One defenseman who is a) under contract in 2017-18 and b) played in 40 or more NHL games the prior season OR played in 70 or more NHL games in the prior two seasons.

ii) Two forwards who are a) under contract in 2017-18 and b) played in 40 or more NHL games the prior season OR played in 70 or more NHL games in the prior two seasons.

iii) One goaltender who is under contract in 2017-18 or will be a restricted free agent at the expiration of his current contract immediately prior to 2017-18. If the club elects to make a restricted free agent goaltender available in order to meet this requirement, that goaltender must have received his qualifying offer prior to the submission of the club's protected list.

* Players with potential career-ending injuries who have missed more than the previous 60 consecutive games (or who otherwise have been confirmed to have a career-threatening injury) may not be used to satisfy a club's player exposure requirements, unless approval is received from the NHL. Such players also may be deemed exempt from selection by the League.

Regulations Relating to Expansion Franchise
* The Las Vegas franchise must select one player from each presently existing club for a total of 30 players (not including additional players who may be acquired as the result of violations of the Expansion Draft rules).

* The Las Vegas franchise must select the following number of players at each position: 14 forwards, nine defensemen and three goaltenders.

* The Las Vegas franchise must select a minimum of 20 players who are under contract for the 2017-18 season.

* The Las Vegas franchise must select players with an aggregate Expansion Draft value that is between 60-100% of the prior season's upper limit for the salary cap.

* The Las Vegas franchise may not buy out any of the players selected in the Expansion Draft earlier than the summer following its first season.

The 30 NHL Clubs must submit their Protection List by 5:00 P.M. ET on Saturday, June 17, 2017. The Las Vegas team must submit their Expansion Draft Selections by 5:00 P.M. ET on June 20 and the announcement of their selections will be released on made on June 21.

2017 NHL Draft Lottery

The Las Vegas franchise will be given the same odds in the 2017 NHL Draft Lottery as the team finishing with the third-fewest points during the 2016-17 regular season.

The Las Vegas franchise's First Round selection in the 2017 NHL Draft will be determined in accordance with the 2017 NHL Draft Lottery and, as a result, the Las Vegas franchise will be guaranteed no lower than the sixth overall selection.

The Las Vegas franchise then will select third in each subsequent round of the 2017 NHL Draft (subject to trades and other potential player transactions).

Alignment

The Las Vegas franchise will begin play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in 2017-18. There will be no other changes to the NHL's alignment.


2017-18 Schedule Matrix

Each club will continue to play an 82-game schedule, with 41 home games and 41 road games.

The schedule matrix, which ensures that all teams play in all arenas at least once each season, will be adjusted to the following in 2017-18:
Eastern Conference (Atlantic and Metropolitan Divisions - 8 Teams)

Within Conference (Division): 28 games
* 7 Teams: 2 Home / 2 Away
* 7 x 4 = 28 games

Within Conference (Non-Division): 24 games
* 4 Teams: 2 Home / 1 Away
* 4 Teams: 1 Home / 2 Away
* 4 x 3 = 12 games
* 4 x 3 = 12 games

Non-Conference: 30 games
* 15 Home / 15 Away
* 2 x 15 = 30

Western Conference (Central Division - 7 Teams)

Within Conference (Division): 26 games
* 4 Teams: 2 Home / 2 Away
* 1 Team: 3 Home / 2 Away
* 1 Team: 2 Home / 3 Away
* 4 x 4 = 16
* 1 x 5 = 5
* 1 x 5 = 5

Within Conference (Non-Division): 24 games
* 4 Teams: 2 Home / 1 Away
* 4 Teams: 1 Home / 2 Away
* 4 x 3 = 12 games
* 4 x 3 = 12 games

Non-Conference: 32 games
* 16 Home / 16 Away
* 2 x 16 = 32 games

Western Conference (Pacific Division - 8 Teams)

Within Conference (Division): 29 games
* 6 Teams: 2 Home / 2 Away
* 1 Team: 3 Home / 2 Away
* 6 x 4 = 24 games
* 1 x 5 = 5 games

Within Conference (Non-Division): 21 games
* 4 Teams: 2 Home / 1 Away
* 3 Teams: 1 Home / 2 Away
* 4 x 3 = 12 games
* 3 x 3 = 9 games

Non-Conference: 32 games
* 16 Home / 16 Away
* 2 x 16 = 32 games









**

The National Hockey League announced today the 2015-16 NHL All-Rookie Team, including the three players voted as finalists for the Calder Memorial Trophy as the League’s top rookie: forwards Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers and Artemi Panarin of the Chicago Blackhawks as well as defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere of the Philadelphia Flyers.

Also named to the 2015-16 NHL All-Rookie Team are forward Jack Eichel of the Buffalo Sabres, defenseman Colton Parayko of the St. Louis Blues and goaltender John Gibson of the Anaheim Ducks.

Voting was conducted by the Professional Hockey Writers Association at the end of the regular season.







The National Hockey League announced today the 2015-16 NHL All-Rookie Team, including the three players voted as finalists for the Calder Memorial Trophy as the League’s top rookie: forwards Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers and Artemi Panarin of the Chicago Blackhawks as well as defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere of the Philadelphia Flyers.

Also named to the 2015-16 NHL All-Rookie Team are forward Jack Eichel of the Buffalo Sabres, defenseman Colton Parayko of the St. Louis Blues and goaltender John Gibson of the Anaheim Ducks.

Voting was conducted by the Professional Hockey Writers Association at the end of the regular season. Following is a summary of each NHL All-Rookie Team member’s outstanding campaign:



Jack Eichel, Buffalo Sabres

Eichel, the No. 2 overall choice in the 2015 NHL Draft, ranked second among rookies in goals (24) and points (56) while playing in 81 games. He also led all rookies in power-play goals (t-8) and shots on goal (238) while placing in the top three in game-winning goals (t-2nd; 5), assists (t-3rd; 32) and power-play points (3rd; 21). At 19 years, 131 days, Eichel became the youngest player in Sabres history to reach the 20-goal milestone. He also became the ninth rookie in franchise history to reach the 50-point plateau – and first since 1993-94 (Derek Plante). The North Chelmsford, Mass., native is Buffalo’s first All-Rookie Team selection since Jhonas Enroth in 2011-12.




**









The NHL Draft buzz is rattling and humming in Western NY.

On Wednesday afternoon, several of the top prospects including Auston Matthews, Patrik Laine, Matt Tkachuk, Jesse Puljujarvi, Olli Juolevi, and Pierre-Luc Dubois took batting practice with the Buffalo Bisons, the Triple A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays.



Matthews, the son of a former major leaguer and a dam good ball player himself, showed off his hand-eye prowess and upper tank skills when he launched several balls to the warning track in left field.





Matthews stuck around to throw out the first pitch for the Buffalo Bisons vs. Louisville Bats game.






It will be early to bed and early to rise for the top prospects as they have a full day of work, play and media engagements on Thursday.


In the morning, the top prospects will take part in a hockey clinic at the HarborCenter Rink

Also expected to be in attendance is Buffalo Sabres power forward, Evander Kane


In the afternoon, the top prospects will head off to Niagara Falls for a once in a lifetime voyage on the world famous Maid of the Mist.

Later in the afternoon, the group will visit patients at Buffalo's Roswell Park Cancer Institute. Their day will conclude with their media availabilities. Scheduled to appear at the event are:

Logan Brown
Jakob Chychrun
Pierre-Luc Dubois
Olli Juolevi
Patrik Laine
Auston Matthews,
Charles McAvoy
Alexander Nylander
Jesse Puljujarvi
Matthew Tkachuk



***


Speaking of taking it deep, Buffalo Sabres and Buffalo Bills owner Terry Pegula said on WGR Buffalo that he is open to do whatever it takes to build a winning team in Buffalo. Pegula, a multi-billionaire, seemed unfazed at the cost consideration for star players, like UFA to be Steven Stamkos.







**

Pegula made me crack up when he was asked about his Sabres GM Tim Murray.





Pegula said that he will get involved in the recruiting process of Jimmy Vesey, Stamkos, or other free agents if Tim Murray asks him to get involved like he did when he flew to western Canada to pitch Robyn Regehr at his home back in the day.


Money is no object for Pegula.



**


Imagine a world where Democrats and Republicans held hands and nursery rhymes.

Imagine a world where dogs and cats coexisted peacefully.

Imagine a world where Milan Lucic and Ryan Miller played for the same NHL team.

The two former scenarios are pipe dreams, however, the latter is a very likely possibility.


Pierre LeBrun reported Wednesday afternoon that he had gotten a text message from LA Kings heavy forward Milan Lucic would not be signing a new contract to remain with the Botox city franchise. Lucic is officially heading to unrestricted free agency where he is going to get paid fat stacks of jack.

Lucic had hoped to re-sign a long term deal to stay in La La Land, however, it wasn't meant to be.

The cash strapped LA Kings confirmed Lucic's news. Kings GM Dean Lombardo is tight against the salary cap and can ill afford to fork over a multi-year contract at $6.5 to $7 million AAV per season to Lucic. Lombardi gave his permission to Lucic's agent to solicit UFA offers for the 28 year old banger.

Lucic earned $6 million last season in the final year of his contract. The Bruins absorbed $2.75 million of his deal to make the math work.

Lucic was picked 50th overall in the 2006 NHL entry draft. He won a Stanley Cup with the Boston Bruins in 2011.


The Boston Bruins traded Lucic to the Kings last summer in exchange for goalie Martin Jones and a first round draft choice.



In the rear view mirror, Bruins GM Don Sweeney looks very bad for trading Lucic and the kid who just took his San Jose Sharks team to the Stanley Cup Finals.


In 647 NHL games, Lucic has earned 851 PIMs. Oh, he has scored 159 goals, too.


In 101, playoff games, he has scored 26 goals.




Keep an eye on Edmonton and Vancouver.

Lucic's former Boston GM Pete Chiarelli would love to add a hammer to protect Connor McDavid.



Also, Jim Benning, the Canucks GM and former Boston AGM, is looking for a veteran forward to support and protect his youngsters and the Sedins.

There are many reason why the Canucks could and should grab Lucic, a Vancouver native and Vancouver Giants alumnus. He's big, strong, tough, nasty and hard to play against.

Just ask Ryan Miller, the current starting tender for the Canucks.

Do you recall November 12, 2011?




Imagine the daily gong show of having Miller and Lucic sitting next top each other in the Canucks room.




Having covered Miller for ten seasons in Buffalo, I can tell you that he is not a fan of Lucic. Even to this day.


Could Miller bury the hatchet and live peacefully with Lucic on his team? Or, would Miller demand a trade out of Couver if they were to sign the brawny brawler in unrestricted free agency?




Stay tuned!
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