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The NHL wrapped up its 2021 season on July 7th when the Tampa Bay Lightning defeated the Montreal Canadiens to win their second Stanley Cup. The season ended later than normal due to a late start date, and things pick right back up on July 21st with the Seattle Kraken Expansion Draft. The expansion draft is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday and will air on ESPN2.
The Kraken were officially welcomed into the league on April 30th when they made their final expansion fee payment and will begin play this fall in the 2021-22 season. However, they do not have a roster yet. That will be rectified next week in the expansion draft. The Kraken will select one player from each team excluding the Vegas Golden Knights to give them a total of 30 players. They will need to select at least 14 forwards, nine defensemen, and three goalies.
The 30 teams must submit their protected roster lists by Saturday, July 17 and the lists will be announced on the 18th. Teams can protect seven forwards, three defensemen, and one goalie, or eight skaters (forwards/defensemen) and one goalie.