NHL Expansion Draft 2017: When it Starts, How to Watch, Where it Is, Why it Matters, Who Might Be Gone, and What to Freak Out About

The 2017 NHL Expansion Draft is TONIGHT! Here’s a quick primer from the Los Angeles Kings’ perspective.

Where, When, and How to Watch

8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT | Wednesday, June 21
T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas
American TV: NBCSN | Canadian TV: Sportsnet
Live streaming on NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app

(I guess there’s an awards show too.)

Why it Matters

To us? Well, it’s a division rival. If Vegas kills it tonight, it makes four or five of LA’s games a lot tougher next season. If they decide stockpiling draft picks is more important than getting the best available players, LA’s path to the playoffs is easier for the next couple years.

Who Might Be Gone

It’s a list of four right now, although Dustin Brown and Marian Gaborik are technically on the table if LA wants to get weird. Brayden McNabb is the choice if Vegas wants defense. Trevor Lewis is the choice if Vegas wants veteran leadership. Nick Shore is the choice if Vegas wants reliability. And Nic Dowd is the choice if Vegas wants a wild card.

What to Freak Out About

For one, the rules. A reminder:

• Vegas will take one player — no more, or no less — from each existing team.
• They must select at least 14 forwards, nine defensemen and three goalies.
• 20 of the 30 players must be under contract in 2017-18.
• The cap hit of all players selected in the Expansion Draft must be somewhere between $45 million and $75 million. (It won’t be anywhere near $75 million.)/

Also: the trades. How many trades do the Golden Knights have lined up? Six? At least. Probably more. LA is unlikely to be involved; such is the blessing of not having a bunch of guys you’d hate to lose.

Finally: the selections themselves. Tell us who you don’t want to see Vegas take.

Who would you be most upset to see the Vegas Golden Knights select in the Expansion Draft?