2017 Expansion Draft Selections
The historic draft that assembled an instant contender and shattered expansion records.
The 2017 NHL Expansion Draft marks the foundational moment of the Vegas Golden Knights, serving as the mechanism by which the franchise was born from the roster selections of every other team in the league. Unlike previous expansion drafts where teams could protect their core stars, this event utilized a unique protection rule that forced clubs to leave significant talent available for selection. Teams could protect either 7 forwards, 3 defensemen, and 1 goaltender (the 7-3-1 format) or 8 skaters (any combination of forwards and defensemen) and 1 goaltender (the 8-1 format). This strategic gamble resulted in an unprecedented assembly of veteran depth and young promise, creating a roster that defied all historical precedents for new franchises.
- Event Date
- June 2017
- Total Players Selected
- 30
- Starting Roster Size
- 23
- Expansion Rule
- 7-3-1 or 8-1 Protection Scheme
- First Season Record
- 51-24-7 (Regular Season)
- Playoff Result
- Stanley Cup Finalists (lost to Washington Capitals)
- Key Selections
- Marc-André Fleury, William Karlsson, Reilly Smith
Lore & Background
The resulting roster was not merely a collection of cast-offs; it was a deliberate construction of experience and grit. The selection of veteran goaltender Marc-André Fleury, who had just won a Stanley Cup with Pittsburgh, provided immediate stability between the pipes. Alongside him came skilled forwards like Reilly Smith and William Karlsson, whose leadership qualities would become the bedrock of the team's culture. This draft did not just fill a roster; it established an identity rooted in resilience, proving that a team built from the scraps of others could forge its own destiny.
In Their Own Story
The air in the T-Mobile Arena press room was thick with skepticism on that June afternoon in 2017. Reporters whispered about 'leftovers' and 'bargain bin picks,' expecting another expansion disaster like the Winnipeg Jets or Phoenix Coyotes of old. But as Kelly McCrimmon stepped to the podium, his voice steady, he announced selections that silenced the room: a Cup-winning goalie, a Stanley Cup-winning forward, and a core of players hungry for redemption. The silence wasn't just confusion; it was the sound of history holding its breath before the Golden Knights took their first step onto the ice.
Reader's Guide
The most significant accolade achieved by the organization through this draft is the immediate qualification for the playoffs in the inaugural season, a feat accomplished by only two other expansion teams in NHL history (the 1967 Los Angeles Kings and 2000 Nashville Predators). Furthermore, the team's regular-season record of 53 wins stands as the highest winning total ever recorded by an expansion team in their first year, shattering previous records held by the Edmonton Oilers and others. The roster constructed in 2017 led the franchise to the Western Conference Final in its debut season, marking the deepest playoff run for any expansion team since the 1967 Los Angeles Kings reached the Stanley Cup Finals. This draft also set a precedent for player commitment, with numerous selections signing long-term deals immediately, creating one of the most stable core groups in modern NHL history.
Did You Know?
- The Vegas Golden Knights are the only expansion team in NHL history to make the playoffs in their first season and reach the Stanley Cup Final.
- Not every player selected in the 2017 draft was simply left unprotected; some were acquired through trades or side agreements with other teams, making the selection process more strategic than a simple unprotected list.
- Marc-André Fleury, selected by Vegas, won Stanley Cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins (2009, 2016, 2017) and later with the Vegas Golden Knights (2023). He never played for or won a Cup with the Chicago Blackhawks.
- The team's inaugural roster included players who had previously won Stanley Cups with other teams, bringing championship experience to the desert immediately.