With renovations to KeyArena coming in the near future thanks to a whopping $700 million investment, Seattle can look forward to, hopefully, the return of their NBA franchise.
But fans can also look forward to a new place to put their fandom: a hockey team. After a contingent including Mayor Jenny Durkan and the Oakview Group’s Tod Leiweke met with league executives Tuesday morning, the NHL’s executive committee voted unanimously to recommend to the NHL Board of Governors that Seattle be the 32nd NHL franchise.
BREAKING: The NHL executive committee, including the Commissioner, unanimously recommended to the full Board of Governors that Seattle become the 32nd franchise in the National Hockey League. That full vote will come December 3-4 in Georgia. #komonews
— Patrick Quinn (@PatrickQuinnTV) October 2, 2018
Among the owners that met with the Seattle contingent in addition to the executive committee was Washington’s own Ted Leonsis.
At 10 am, Seattle's NHL Group meet with League's Senior Group and 10 owners of the Executive Committee:
Henry Samueli-Ana
Jeremy Jacobs-Bos
Rocky Wirtz-Chi
Murray Edwards-Cgy
Craig Leipold-Minn
Geoff Molson-Mtl
Jeff Vinik-TB
Larry Tanenbaum-Tor
Ted Leonsis-Wash
Mark Chipman-Wpg— John Shannon (@JSportsnet) October 2, 2018
NHL Seattle, a division of the Oak View Group, is aiming for the new franchise to start play in 2020, pending the Board of Governors approval in December.
Gary Bettman on how soon Seattle could start playing in the NHL: "Everybody’s goal is 2020 if it can be accomplished. If it’s not, then we’ll do it in ’21.”
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) October 2, 2018
It’s important to note that, should a Seattle expansion get the final push to progress, the recently added Vegas Golden Knights will not participate in the expansion draft.
Gary Bettman confirms what @Sportsnet reported in March: The Vegas Golden Knights won't participate in the expansion draft for Seattle.
Otherwise, same protection rules remain.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) October 2, 2018
The rules from the last expansion draft were as follows:
- A team could protect seven forwards, three defensemen, and one goalie or
- Protect eight skaters of their choice and one goalie.
- Players with no movement clauses automatically counted towards the number of players protected.
- First and second year players were exempt.
- Players who were exposed had to meet minimum exposure requirements, like remaining under contract for the upcoming season and playing a limited number of games the preceding season.
But Vegas’ lack of participation in the expansion draft also means they won’t get a share of the $650 million expansion fee Seattle will pay to join.
Of course, that means Vegas won't take a share of the $650M expansion fee, either.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) October 2, 2018
Before the meeting, Capitals winger TJ Oshie, who grew up in the Seattle suburbs before moving to Warroad, Minnesota at 16, mentioned he was pulling for a new team. “I talked to a lot of people out there and they want this team,” Oshie told the AP’s Stephen Whyno. “It’d be great for the area. I think fans there are very devoted to their sports teams.”
Headline photo: @MayorJenny
