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2017 NHL Expansion Draft: Rules and How It Works

The National Hockey League will hold an expansion draft beginning June 18 to give the Vegas Golden Knights, the NHL's 31st franchise, their first full roster. All 30 selections—one pick from each of the current teams—will be announced at the NHL Awards in Las Vegas on June 21.

Vegas was already included in the lottery for the 2017 NHL draft. The Golden Knights, who were given the same odds to win the No. 1 pick as the Arizona Coyotes, the team with the third-worst record, didn't obtain a top-three selection and will draft from the No.