from Chris Johnston of Sportsnet,

When the general managers met earlier this week in Toronto, they were told the timing of Seattle’s anticipated entrance into the league remains open. The NHL isn’t convinced the KeyArena revitalization can be completed in time for an October 2020 start, which would push it back to October 2021....

The NHL Seattle group is keeping a low profile in advance of the Dec. 3-4 Board of Governors meeting where they’ll officially be granted a franchise, but they did confirm via a statement that they remained focused on a launch 22 months from now:

“NHL Seattle recognizes that its ability to begin to play in 2020 is dependent on the Arena being finished on time. We are confident that we will have a completed arena in time for the 2020 season and we will work closely with the NHL to keep them informed of our progress.”

This of high interest to GMs because it will impact the timing of an expansion draft.

If Seattle starts in 2020, current rookies like Vancouver’s Elias Pettersson and Montreal’s Jesperi Kotkaniemi will be exempt from the process. Should it be delayed until 2021, those players will have to use up one of their team’s protection slots.

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