from last week
Deal the Kraken? Francis can't make official trades -- yet
"General manager Ron Francis can't finalize any transactions until ownership makes its final expansion payment to the league,"
HOWEVER current NHL contracts do not expire for a while -
typically June 30 IIRC, but i believe that had been extended to late July, and is due to extend again, given further adjustments to NHL schedule
Once that payment is made, i believe he could begin to sign players
- not currently on NHL contracts, and
- not on NHL Reserve Lists, and
- who are no longer Entry-Draft-Eligible,
assuming no conflict with player's most recent team
so for example, once Seattle is square with the NHL,
he could sign a 'no longer draft eligible' undrafted NCAA player, or undrafted Major Junior player, at will,
IF i am overlooking any considerations, I am confident youse guys will set me straight ASAP
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ADDED - FYI 1st signee by Vegas was a Junior player, drafted by Wild, but unsigned within 2 years, so UFA
Golden Knights sign Reid Duke as first player
Golden Knights sign Reid Duke as first player March 6, 2017
"Duke (6-foot, 192 pounds) was a sixth-round pick (No. 169) of the Minnesota Wild in the 2014 NHL Draft but never signed with them"