NHL will release teams' Vegas expansion draft lists

The NHL will release teams' protected and available lists to the public before the Vegas Golden Knights' expansion draft in June.

The league announced the decision on Twitter on Wednesday. NHL general managers had expressed a desire to keep the lists private.

All 30 existing teams must submit their list of protected players by 5 p.m. EDT June 17. Vegas must submit its selections by 5 p.m. June 20, with the announcement of those picks made June 21.

The league said the timing of the lists being released was still to be determined. Each team can protect either seven forwards, three defencemen and one goaltender or eight skaters of any position and one goaltender.

The Golden Knights begin play next season.