Bill Foley isn't ruling out the possibility of officially closing the expansion fee process by the end of the month, but it doesn't sound likely.
The Vegas Golden Knights owner says that while the $500 million he owes the league will be ready before the March 1 trade deadline, some sticking points remain that could prevent the club from making deals.
“It’s going to be complicated for us to do it by (Feb.) 28th because of all the legal documents that we’re doing with the NHL that still have to be completed,” Foley told Steve Carp of the Las Vegas Review-Journal for a story published Saturday.
“We’re still negotiating a few points. But the money will be ready around the 25th or 26th, so if we can get all the legal paperwork finished, we may be able to move it up.”
NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly confirmed last week that Golden Knights general manager George McPhee and his staff will be allowed to begin making roster moves with some parameters once the transaction is complete.
Foley told Carp that the final payment will most likely go through in the first week in March, which would be in time for the general managers' meetings in Florida (March 6-8) and in time to sign college free agents, but not before the final opportunity for clubs to make trades on March 1 at 3 p.m. ET.
McPhee is ready to start making moves, but whether he'll be able to pull the trigger on trades before time runs out remains to be seen.
"We’d like to participate as soon as we can and see what’s out there," the GM said.
- With h/t to Sportsnet
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