NHL Expansion Draft 2017: Start Time, TV Schedule, Live Stream and Predictions

The Vegas Golden Knights will take a major step toward becoming a competitive NHL team Wednesday night when their expansion draft selections will be announced.

Those selections will be made at the same time the NHL hands it out its annual awards. The combination expansion draft and awards show will be held at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, the same location the team will play its home games next season.

The event will be televised by NBCSN at 8 p.m. ET and live-streamed at NBCSports.com.

The Golden Knights actually have to turn their selections in Wednesday morning at 10 a.m., but the they won't be announced until that night.

They will select one player from every team in the league, and while many are expected to make up the expansion team's roster in 2017-18, some will go to the minor leagues and others will be traded for other players, draft picks or future considerations.

Each of the existing 30 NHL teams were allowed to protect seven forwards, three defensemen and one goaltender. The Golden Knights must select a minimum of 14 forwards, nine defensemen and three goaltenders.

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Here's our predictions on who the expansion team will select from each team:

Anaheim: Nate Thompson, F

Thompson serves two purposes. He is a hardworking, hustling player who can set a tone in the locker room. And if the Knights want to trade him, he could have decent value for a contender.

Arizona: Josh Jooris, F

Jooris has not done much with the Coyotes, and a change of scene could be just the thing he needs to become a productive player.

Boston: Colin Miller, D

A quality selection because Miller has excellent skating skills and a booming shot from the point. If his decision-making improves, he could become a stalwart for Vegas.

Buffalo: Cody Franson, D

Solid defensive defenseman who had a minus-five rating each of the last two years with the Sabres. That's a respectable figure for a team that struggled.

Calgary: Alex Chiasson, F

Chiasson has a chance to be an effective forward who will go to the net and create traffic in front of the goaltender.

Carolina: Eddie Lack, G

Lack will have a chance to become a solid No. 2 goaltender and potentially compete for the No. 1 position.

Chicago: Trevor van Riemsdyk, D

This is a solid pick who will give the Knights a dependable blueliner. It's also a pick that will hurt the Blackhawks.

Colorado: Joe Colborne, F

Not a star, but Colborne can play solid two-way hockey and do a respectable job in the face-off circle.

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Columbus: William Karlsson, F

This forward has plenty of quickness and has a chance to be an opportunistic goal scorer for the expansion team. He also has trade value if they choose to move him.

Dallas: Mark McNeill, F

He has the quickness to be an offensive factor. He hasn't been effective to this point, but he has a chance to develop.

Detroit: Riley Sheahan, F

Expansion teams have to go through great difficulty and adversity. No player went through more adversity than Sheahan last year as he suffered through a nightmare season with two goals. He had 27 goals in his two previous seasons, and he will bounce back. 

Edmonton: Griffin Reinhart, D

The 23-year-old has not developed quickly, but he could play a key role with the Golden Knights if he can take advantage of his new environment.

Florida: Jonathan Marchessault, F

He is a first-rate player who is coming off a 30-goal season. He has a chance to be the team's first superstar.

Los Angeles: Nick Shore, F

Shore is a serviceable forward who will do a decent job in the face-off circle and play third- or fourth-line center.

Minnesota: Matt Dumba, D

Unless the Wild have a side deal with the Golden Knights, Dumba has to be the choice here. He is a right-shot defenseman who can play with an edge.

Montreal: Tomas Plekanec, F

This is a risky pick because Plekanec has fallen so far after an excellent run with the Habs. However, he can give Vegas a solid, two-way center who can excel on the defensive side of the ice. 

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Nashville: Colton Sissons, F

Sissons had a great run during the postseason and he should be a useful player for the Knights.

New Jersey: Beau Bennett, F

Bennett has some speed and also played with the Penguins, and he should have a chance to develop with this team.

NY Islanders: Josh Bailey, F

The Islanders have left Brock Nelson unprotected, but they have a side deal in place because he is too valuable to lose. Bailey is a solid commodity.

NY Rangers: Antti Raanta, G

He is likely to be a valuable trade commodity for Vegas general manager George McPhee if the Knights decide to make him available.

Ottawa: Marc Methot, D

Methot has excellent veteran leadership skills and could become part of the team's hierarchy.

Philadelphia: Matt Read, F

Read will go to the front of the net and set an example for his new teammates. He may not always be successful, but he will put in the work.

Pittsburgh: Marc-Andre Fleury, G

The Penguins were not going to leave Matt Murray exposed so losing Fleury is a certainty. He will give the Knights a good No. 1 goaltender or a top trade chip for a team that is desperate for a starting netminder.

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San Jose: Paul Martin, D

Dependable blueliner who can do a solid job in his own zone and carry the puck out of trouble.

St. Louis: Jori Lehtera, F

Solid blue-collar player who is not going to score 20 goals but will pay the price on an every-day basis.

Tampa Bay: Andrej Sustr, D

Big, strong defenseman who can block shots and cause havoc in the defensive zone. If and when the Knights have a lead at the end of the third period, Sustr will be on the ice.

Toronto: Matt Hunwick, D

The Maple Leafs like Hunwick, just not enough to protect him. He is a fine skater with good offensive instincts, and he could have a role on the power play.

Vancouver: Brendan Gaunce, F

Gaunce has yet to make an impression in the league, but he is coming off left shoulder surgery and could still turn into a solid player.

Washington: Nate Schmidt, D

Solid defenseman who will have a chance to be one of the expansion team's most dependable players. This loss will hurt the Caps.

Winnipeg: Marko Dano, RW

He has excellent speed and is still a solid prospect who can bring excitement to the new franchise.