Greg Douglas

Special to The Desert Sun

Stand by for the unveiling of the Las Vegas Black Knights of the National Hockey League.

The official introduction is expected to take place at the league’s annual awards gala in June where NHL commissioner Gary Bettman will gather his disciples in … hold for the drum roll … Las Vegas!

The NHL’s worst-kept secret came blurting out of the mouths of several hockey insiders following meetings of the 30 general managers in Boca Raton, Fla., earlier this week.

They’re saying expansion will happen in time for the 2017-18 season and the only unanswered question is whether Las Vegas will be granted the only new franchise or if there will be an expansion cousin in the mix.

Update: Source says NHL team in Las Vegas is a done deal

The tip-off came from Bettman and his deputy Bill Daly when they called a special gathering of the general managers to inform them of “potential expansion draft rules."

Bill Foley, leading the charge as owner of the Las Vegas entry, will cough up $500 million (U.S.) for the privilege of joining the NHL lodge. It will be the first major pro sports franchise for Vegas and Bettman wants to make certain it gets out of the gate in successful fashion.

“If there is going to be an expansion draft we will want the new team (or teams) to be more competitive than perhaps they’ve been in the past,” Bettman said, showing his hand. “I think everyone understands that.”

Don't mention tanking around Flames

Scene and heard

Vancouver Canucks fans don't have a lot to cheer about with the team about to miss post-season playoffs and 21-year-old Russian defenseman Nikita Tryamkin was introduced as a bit of a side show at Rogers Arena this week. He is six feet, seven inches tall and weighs 230 pounds. The Canucks rushed their 2014 third-round draft pick over from the Kontinental Hockey League where his season in Russia ended in early March.

He received a standing ovation during the pre-game introductions against Colorado Wednesday and created an even louder response when he assisted on Vancouver’s opening goal just 12 minutes into the game. But there was no joy in Canuckville at evening’s end following a 3-1 Avalanche victory.

Trouble looms for Vancouver and Montreal NHL teams

Here and there

A Castlegar, B.C. man nicknamed the “Krazy Canadian” for his daredevil snowmobiling adventure videos was identified Friday as the victim of a fatal avalanche that occurred in the mountains near his hometown.

Daniel Joseph Davidoff, 45, was known for his series of YouTube clips making jumps off large mountain ramps and tackling treacherous terrain. RCMP continue to investigate his death.

End zone

Kevin Koe led his Alberta rink to the 2016 Brier championship in Ottawa this week with the next stop being the World Championships next month in Basel, Switzerland. Koe’s foursome included third Marc Kennedy, second Brent Laing and lead Ben Hebert. First place in the Brier was worth $225,000 (Canadian).

Greg Douglas is a columnist with the Vancouver Sun. He can be reached at drsport@telus.net.