Some players who can become unrestricted free agents are San Jose Sharks center Joe Thornton, Washington Capitals forward T.J. Oshie, and Capitals defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk.
From June 18-20, Vegas will have a chance to sign any restricted or unrestricted free agent left unprotected by his team for the NHL Expansion Draft, NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly said. These free agents would not otherwise be allowed to sign with a team different than the one they played for this season until July 1.
That 72-hour free-agent window coincides with the Expansion Draft process. If a free agent does sign with the Golden Knights, he would be Vegas' one selection from that player's team (Vegas is required to select or sign one player off each existing team's list of unprotected players, with a minimum of 14 forwards, nine defensemen and three goalies).
This does not preclude Vegas from claiming an unprotected free agent during the Expansion Draft and gaining an exclusive window to sign the player before July 1, but the NHL is giving the Golden Knights the window to reduce the chance they will claim a player who has no intention of signing with them.
The Golden Knights will fill out most of their roster in the Expansion Draft. The 30 other NHL teams must submit their list of protected players by 5 p.m. ET June 17. Vegas will pick one player from each team and submit its selections by 5 p.m. ET June 20, and the announcement of the selections will be made June 21.
The NHL salary cap for next season reportedly will be near its $73 million value of this season.
The Golden Knights signed their first player, forward Reid Duke of Brandon of the Western Hockey League, to a three-year, entry-level contract March 6. Vegas will continue to scout amateur players with the NCAA Frozen Four and CHL Memorial Cup approaching.
"Things are going to be very busy," McPhee said. "But we don't want to miss these opportunities to get another look at players who may be able to help us."
McPhee also said Vegas plans to wait until the end of the NHL regular season to hire a coach.
"We decided in August to take our time and pick who we wanted in the spring. That plan hasn't changed," McPhee said. "We want someone who is very current with the game, someone progressive on how the game should be played."