The Las Vegas Golden Knights have to wait until tomorrow morning to see the unprotected lists that each team submitted today, but the team released a statement, suggesting that they are willing to listen to deals with any NHL team that wants to keep their rosters intact.
“The Golden Knights organization is very pleased with how the expansion draft process has gone so far, through the NHL trade freeze which took effect Saturday, June 17 at 12 noon PT. Now, General Manager George McPhee and his staff will continue to have discussions with the other 30 NHL clubs. Vegas has indicated that they will all 30 clubs every opportunity to keep their rosters intact if they would like it. This means that before the Golden Knights claim a player off a team’s unprotected list, McPhee and his staff are willing to negotiate deals so the other clubs do not have to lose a player they would otherwise like to keep.”
While it is believed that Las Vegas has multiple side deals already completed, it suggests the Golden Knights are interested in acquiring more picks and are open to making side deals with as many teams as possible. The team now can negotiate with all teams over 72 hours over who they can or will select after the unprotected rosters are released.