Frequently asked questions about Las Vegas franchise

The NHL welcomed the Las Vegas franchise as the newest member of the League on Wednesday.
Here is everything you need to know about the NHL's 31st franchise:

Was the Las Vegas franchise the only expansion team awarded?: Yes. The application for Quebec City was deferred and will not be part of this expansion process. The NHL said Quebec City's candidacy could be revisited at a later date.
When will the Las Vegas franchise start play in the NHL?:The Las Vegas franchise will begin play in the 2017-18 season.
Does the team have a nickname or logo yet?: No. Team majority owner Bill Foley said that he hopes to have a nickname, logo and color scheme decided by the start of the 2016-17 season.

Which conference and division will Las Vegas be placed?: The Las Vegas franchise will become the 15th member of the Western Conference and the eighth member of the Pacific Division.
Will the League's conference alignment change with the addition of the Las Vegas franchise?: No. The current lineup of 16 teams in the East will remain; the West will increase to 15 teams and some minor scheduling tweaks will occur, but there will be no wholesale changes to the current alignment.
How will the team stock its roster initially?: The first players for the franchise will come from an expansion draft, which will be held during a 48-hour period in June. The original 30-player roster will be announced June 21, 2017.
What players will be available in the Expansion Draft?: Each of the 30 NHL teams will have two options when it comes to protecting players on its roster. Teams will be able to protect seven forwards, three defenseman and one goaltender or eight skaters (forwards and defense) and one goalie. Players with no-movement clauses in their contracts must be protected by the club holding the contract.
What players are exempt from being drafted by the Las Vegas franchise?: All first- and second-year professionals and unsigned draft choices do not need to be protected.

How many players will each team lose in the Expansion Draft?: Each team will lose one player to the Las Vegas franchise.
Are there limits on how many players at each position Las Vegas can select in the Expansion Draft?: Yes. Las Vegas must select at least 14 forwards, nine defenseman and three goaltenders. Twenty of the players selected in the Expansion Draft must have contracts through the 2017-18 season. Finally, the aggregate salary of the 30 players selected must combined to be at least 60 percent of the prior season's salary cap ceiling.
Can Las Vegas buy out any of the players it selects in Expansion Draft?: The buyout of any player selected in the Expansion Draft can't be executed until the summer after the first season of play for Las Vegas.
When will the Las Vegas franchise take part in the NHL Draft?: Las Vegas will be a full participant in the 2017 NHL Draft in Chicago.
Where will it pick in the 2017 NHL Draft?: Las Vegas will have the same odds in the 2017 NHL Draft Lottery as the team finishing with the third-fewest points during the 2016-17 regular season. The Las Vegas franchise's first round selection in the 2017 draft will be determined in accordance with the 2017 NHL Draft Lottery and, as a result, the Las Vegas franchise will be guaranteed no lower than the No. 6 pick. After the first round, Las Vegas will select third in each round.