Timeline leading up to expansion draft

**blackaces** · June 13, 2017, 1:29 PM

June 12: Teams that are due to submit a protected list, excluding those preoccupied with a (potential) Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final, have until this point to request players with no-movement protection to waive that immunity. The Penguins and Predators will be extended until 5 p.m. ET the day after the Cup is raised, meaning a Marc-Andre Fleury sit-down could occur up to three days after, say, Kevin Bieksa is called into Bob Murray?s office.

June 15: One day after a (potential) Game 7 marks the beginning of the first buy-out period. Teams face the deadline to formally request that players surrender their ?No move? for the purpose of a buy out.

June 16: This is last chance for general managers to place players on waivers before the Expansion Draft/Trade freeze. Meanwhile, players asked to waive their protection to accommodate the expansion strategy have until 5 p.m. ET to agree.

June 17: The freeze commences. Non-expansion teams simultaneously submit their protected lists, which puts a full stop on activity outside the Vegas boardroom.

June 18: Protected lists are dispersed league-wide (this includes Vegas) by the NHL, and the Golden Knights officially have the floor. The free agent interview period opens for the expansion club from the moment the lists are distributed. This only applies to players who have been exposed.

June 21: Vegas must submit its selections, including any standard player contract signed with a restricted or unrestricted free agent by 10 a.m. ET. The selections will be announced later that night in concurrence with the NHL Awards.

June 22: The freeze is lifted, allowing all 31 teams to resume normal day-to-day business. This comes literally just in time for the NHL Draft, which begins the next day because things aren?t chaotic enough.