On the Expansion Draft …

David Pagnotta: The last day teams can place players on waivers before the expansion draft is June 16th.

There is a trade and waiver freeze starting at 3:00 ET on June 17th.

David Pagnotta: The Golden Knights need to submit their picks by 10:00 AM ET on June 21st. List includes any free agents that they have signed from a team.

David Pagnotta: The Golden Knights roster will be announced during their awards show on June 21st, starting at 8:00 PM ET. Five players could be revealed after every two awards.

David Pagnotta: Trade/waiver freeze would be lifted at 8:00 AM ET on June 22nd.

On the Vancouver Canucks and Dallas Stars …

Mike Morreale: Stars director of amateur scouting Joe McDonald said that it is 50/50 that Valeri Nichushkin returns to Dallas for next season. Nichushkin has a year left on his KHL contract with CSKA.

Chris Nichols: Pierre LeBrun on TSN 1040: “I can absolutely confirm that there have been talks between Dallas and Vancouver, however I don’t think they’ve gone anywhere.”

Chris Nichols: LeBrun added that the Stars are “absolutely listening on No. 3. Several teams have reached out to Dallas, is my understanding.”

Patrick Johnson of the Vancouver Province: LeBrun tweeted on Thursday that a handful of teams had already contacted Stars about the No. 3 pick.

Later that day he said on TSN 1040 that he thinks the Canucks are looking to move up from the No. 5 spot.

“I believe there have been conversations between Dallas and Vancouver,” he said. But Lebrun also admitted such a move would be difficult for Benning to pull off.

thinks that part of that deal might have the Stars sending a bad contract to Vancouver. The Stars have three goalies under contract next year so maybe they would send one of Kari Lehtonen or Antti Niemi and flip flop picks.

The Canucks do need a backup goalie. There has been speculation that they could re-sign Ryan Miller.