Official: NHL expanding to Vegas for '17-18

[Hoss]

Expansion rules released. Teams must submit their lists by June 17, 2016 at 5 pm.

Team, as reported, will have the third odds in the draft lottery. They will pick third in every round outside of the first regardless of lottery results.

 

Players with injuries that may be deemed career threatening are exempt, including those with MMC (David Clarkson, for one). To qualify the player has to have missed at least the 60 previous games.

 

The Vegas franchise will get to pick one player per team, but they MAY be allowed to select more than one player if a team violates the expansion draft rules.

 

14 forwards, 9 dmen and 3 goalies are the positional requirements for the team.

 

They need to take 20 players under contract through 2017-18.

 

They need to fill at least 60% of the previous season's (meaning this coming season) salary (which is only $43.8 million).

 

No players taken in the expansion draft can be bought out until the following offsesson.

 

Teams can protect seven forwards, three dmen and one goalie OR eight skaters and one goalie.

 

NMC MUST be protected and will count against the protection number UNLESS a player waives it.

 

First and second year pros exempt (and unsigned draftees) and will NOT count against protected number.

 

All clubs MUST expose one dman who is under contract through 2017-18 and has played 40 or more games in the previous season or 70 in the previous two.

 

All clubs MUST expose two forwards who are under contract through 2017-18 and has played 40 or more games in the previous season or 70 in the previous two.

 

All clubs MUST expose one goalie who is under contract for 2017-18 OR is a restricted free agent.

 

 

 

I know most of this was known but this is from the NHL's OFFICIAL release.

 

 

The Las Vegas team, per owner Bill Foley, is planning to have an official name, logo and jerseys by the beginning of this coming season so they can start selling jerseys.

Edited June 22, 2016 by Hoss

[sabills]

I swear to god, if they get the 2015 first overall ahead of us...

[Hoss]

I swear to god, if they get the 2015 first overall ahead of us...

 

Yea, I'd stab somebody.

[LGR4GM]

Well they won't get the 2015 overall pick because the NHL won't add 1 team they will add 2. Also if my memory serves correctly Vegas still hasn't finished building the arena. Also the NHL wouldn't do that because not only would the Sabres raise hell 5-7 other teams would if not the entire set of owners.

 

There will not be expansion until 2016 at the earliest. As for this report, there have been multiple rumors that Vegas is getting a team because Bettman wants into the market. I think it is a terrible idea but what do I know.

 

Other areas for teams include KC, QC, and Seattle. 2 of those 3 could fit nicely into the Western Conference.

[Hoss]

Well they won't get the 2015 overall pick because the NHL won't add 1 team they will add 2. Also if my memory serves correctly Vegas still hasn't finished building the arena. Also the NHL wouldn't do that because not only would the Sabres raise hell 5-7 other teams would if not the entire set of owners.

 

There will not be expansion until 2016 at the earliest. As for this report, there have been multiple rumors that Vegas is getting a team because Bettman wants into the market. I think it is a terrible idea but what do I know.

 

Other areas for teams include KC, QC, and Seattle. 2 of those 3 could fit nicely into the Western Conference.

 

There have been plenty of reports that state the league can and will expand by 2015. And Bettman has said that he would do 31 teams. I think we'll have expansion next offseason to at least 31.

 

Does Vegas have a viable temp arena? I know the NHL has been hesitant to consider Key Arena in Seattle, but, as most point out, they would probably accept it for one or two seasons if another arena is being built.

[Taro T]

Well they won't get the 2015 overall pick because the NHL won't add 1 team they will add 2. Also if my memory serves correctly Vegas still hasn't finished building the arena. Also the NHL wouldn't do that because not only would the Sabres raise hell 5-7 other teams would if not the entire set of owners.

 

There will not be expansion until 2016 at the earliest. As for this report, there have been multiple rumors that Vegas is getting a team because Bettman wants into the market. I think it is a terrible idea but what do I know.

 

Other areas for teams include KC, QC, and Seattle. 2 of those 3 could fit nicely into the Western Conference.

 

I'd be surprised if Quebec City ever gets a team back.

 

That said, if Vegas comes in, they have 2 options for western realignment. Either add KC and no teams switch divisions, or add Seattle and pull Dallas in & slide Alberta to the Norris (Central, whatever). The latter is more likely IMHO, because Van-City now has a short road trip. Only took 45-46 years to get it too.

[Hoss]

I just don't see a way that Seattle doesn't end up with a team. Still not convinced LV is the other, but it would make realignment easier (no need to if they add two west teams).

 

On expansion teams and the top pick: the NHL should establish a definitive rule so teams can't gripe in the future.

 

Maybe they could give expansion teams the fifth pick their first year and guarantee them nothing worse than fifth in the second year, too. And they could then say any lottery team that falls one spot because of this gets to protect one extra player in the expansion draft?

Edited August 27, 2014 by Tankalicious

[Taro T]

I just don't see a way that Seattle doesn't end up with a team. Still not convinced LV is the other, but it would make realignment easier (no need to if they add two west teams).

 

On expansion teams and the top pick: the NHL should establish a definitive rule so teams can't gripe in the future.

 

Maybe they could give expansion teams the fifth pick their first year and guarantee them nothing worse than fifth in the second year, too. And they could then say any lottery team that falls one spot because of this gets to protect one extra player in the expansion draft?

That's my guess as to who would be the other, but it really depends on who's got the deepest pockets between a Seattle group, a Portland group, or a KC group.

 

Back in the late '70's I figured it was just a matter of time for Milwaukee and Seattle (and maybe even Baltimore) to get teams. 30+ years later, Seattle MAY be close to a kick at that can. The other 2 aren't even on the radar anymore.

[LGR4GM]

 

 

There have been plenty of reports that state the league can and will expand by 2015. And Bettman has said that he would do 31 teams. I think we'll have expansion next offseason to at least 31.

 

Does Vegas have a viable temp arena? I know the NHL has been hesitant to consider Key Arena in Seattle, but, as most point out, they would probably accept it for one or two seasons if another arena is being built.

the owners have to approve it and there is currently no proof that Vegas would sustain the season tickets needed for a team. If it happens by 2015 I'll be amazed.

[Hoss]

That's my guess as to who would be the other, but it really depends on who's got the deepest pockets between a Seattle group, a Portland group, or a KC group.

 

Back in the late '70's I figured it was just a matter of time for Milwaukee and Seattle (and maybe even Baltimore) to get teams. 30+ years later, Seattle MAY be close to a kick at that can. The other 2 aren't even on the radar anymore.

 

I don't think Portland is a real big contender, but I threw them in the poll because they've been mentioned.

 

the owners have to approve it and there is currently no proof that Vegas would sustain the season tickets needed for a team. If it happens by 2015 I'll be amazed.

 

What reason do the owners have to block it?

[LGR4GM]

What reason do the owners have to block it?

no owner for the team. No arena. Bad Location with not enough fans. Lack of tv rights. Can't agree on the expansion draft details. Can't agree on the draft details. There are tons of reasons expansion could take time.

[Brawndo]

Quebec City has a new arena opening in Oct 2015 and would make the most sense if the NHL is looking for immediate expansion.

 

http://en.wikipedia....ty_Amphitheatre

 

My guess is expansion franchises are awarded to Las Vegas, Quebec City or Seattle, with play starting in 2016-2017.

 

Also if hosting the 2015 Draft does not improve attendance or help in the renegotiation of the Panthers Arena Lease they could be playing in Quebec by the 2016-2017 season.

Edited August 27, 2014 by BRAWNDO

[Hoss]

no owner for the team. No arena. Bad Location with not enough fans. Lack of tv rights. Can't agree on the expansion draft details. Can't agree on the draft details. There are tons of reasons expansion could take time.

 

Obviously they'll have an owner... And there's an arena being built.

 

The expansion draft is already outlined, so those details don't need to be figured out. The draft details wouldn't be hard and have never been hard. Nobody is in a competing market so the tv rights won't be an issue.

 

Quebec City has a new arena opening in Oct 2015 and would make the most sense if the NHL is looking for immediate expansion.

 

http://en.wikipedia....ty_Amphitheatre

 

My guess is expansion franchises are awarded to Las Vegas and Seattle, with play starting in 2016-2017.

 

Also if hosting the 2015 Draft does not improve attendance or help in the renegotiation of the Panthers Arena Lease they could be playing in Quebec by the 2016-2017 season as well.

 

This is where I see it eventually going. Seattle and another western city get expansion while QC gets the Panthers.

[Iron Crotch]

Las Vegas has been a consideration for over a decade (along with Houston, KC, Seattle and a few others). IIRC, MGM Grand has an arena that can be used temporarily for hockey for a year or two. It would seat around 14,000. A new arena with the usual over-the-top Vegas-style amenities would be built close to the strip.

[Hoss]

Las Vegas has been a consideration for over a decade (along with Houston, KC, Seattle and a few others). IIRC, MGM Grand has an arena that can be used temporarily for hockey for a year or two. It would seat around 14,000. A new arena with the usual over-the-top Vegas-style amenities would be built close to the strip.

 

It already is being built. ON the strip.

[SwampD]

Is there a website I can go to right now to bet that a team from Las Vegas wins the Stanley Cup before the Sabres?

[LGR4GM]

 

 

Obviously they'll have an owner... And there's an arena being built.

 

The expansion draft is already outlined, so those details don't need to be figured out. The draft details wouldn't be hard and have never been hard. Nobody is in a competing market so the tv rights won't be an issue.

 

 

 

This is where I see it eventually going. Seattle and another western city get expansion while QC gets the Panthers.

No they currently don't have an owner or an arena. The draft details for the mcdavid draft will be a cluster. Believe what you want but I'll be shocked if it happens by 2015

 

The arena will not open til 2016. Just so everyone knows.

Edited August 27, 2014 by LGR4GM

[LabattBlue]

I voted for Seattle & KC. Preferably one of the two is a relocation from South Florida.

[Brawndo]

This report has FOUR expansion teams for 2017!! Seattle, Las Vegas, Quebec City and another Toronto Franchise presumably in Markham.

 

http://www.si.com/nhl/2014/08/26/report-toronto-seattle-quebec-city-join-vegas-2017-nhl-expansion

[qwksndmonster]

Is there a website I can go to right now to bet that a team from Las Vegas wins the Stanley Cup before the Sabres?

Swamp you make me want to kill myself sometimes.

[Doohicksie]

No way a new team lands in Toronto. One of the biggest considerations is TV revenues. A second team in Toronto would cannibalize Leafs revenues. Hamilton is too close as well.

[Hawerchuk]

I have lived in Vegas for 15 years. Yes, there is a major new arena being built between NYNY and Monte Carlo. But I'd still s&*t myself if they awarded us a franchise. It would be awesome, but I'm not sure the town would support it, unfortunately. Sabres would still be my number 1, though! Vegas, second.

[PromoTheRobot]

I have lived in Vegas for 15 years. Yes, there is a major new arena being built between NYNY and Monte Carlo. But I'd still s&*t myself if they awarded us a franchise. It would be awesome, but I'm not sure the town would support it, unfortunately. Sabres would still be my number 1, though! Vegas, second.

I don't know. The ECHL Wranglers draw pretty well for a Double-A team. Plus Vegas is more about the tourists than the locals. It's one more thing to do in the city that never sleeps.

 

[drnkirishone]

I think Seattle is the closest to a sure thing for a team.

 

Las Vegas seems like a good idea at first glance with all the tourist and disposable income. But as a few others said I see a real problem with season tickets. Even if they do hit a mark on the number I am betting many season ticket seats go empty as they will be owned by casinos and such to be given away. It would not surprise me if a team does land in sin city and within 10 years it relocates

[mmichii]

las vegas is a horrible idea. makes the nhl look more bush league than it already is. i agree. if they get a team they will eventually relocate.