The NHL’s Executive Committee voted unanimously to recommend expansion to Las Vegas, meaning the final hurdle for the franchise comes June 22 in the Nevada city.
The nine committee members met with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly last Tuesday in New York. Bettman and Daly have made it very clear they will not discuss the process until after next Wednesday’s Board of Governors meeting, to be held hours before the NHL Awards.
Bill Foley, owner of the potential Las Vegas team, did not respond to a request for comment.
The Board of Governors’ vote is necessary to approve expansion. It’s very difficult to see a refusal considering the Executive Committee’s approval and the massive downer it would bring to the awards show later that night.
The Black Knights, as they are expected to be called, are slotted for the Pacific Division and begin play in 2017-18.