In 2000, the last time the NHL welcomed new teams, the Columbus Blue Jackets and Minnesota Wild paid $80 million each and fought over a threadbare expansion draft that allowed teams to protect nine forwards, five defensemen and one goalie.
But with the Vegas Golden Knights having to cough up $500 million to get into the league next season, the expansion rules are tighter and each team is expected to lose a pretty good player.
NHL squads can protect just seven forwards, three defensemen and one goalie this year, forcing a lot of strategy before the June 17 deadline for submission.