How to watch the NHL Expansion Draft

The next seven days promise to be an active time around the NHL.
The league-wide trade freeze lifts Thursday. The NHL Draft begins with Round 1 on Friday (8 p.m. on ESPN 2), with the Sabres holding the No. 1 pick. Free agency opens on Wednesday, July 28.
But it all begins tonight with the NHL Expansion Draft, which will see the Seattle Kraken fill out its inaugural roster with one player from each team.
Let's get set by answering your questions as they pertain to the Sabres.

How do I watch?

The Expansion Draft begins at 8 p.m. on ESPN 2.

Wait, ESPN?

That's right - if you missed it back in March, the NHL and ESPN agreed to a seven-year television, streaming and media rights deal that runs through the 2027-28 season.

What are the rules?

The Expansion Draft will use the same format as it did for the Vegas Golden Knights in 2017, with the Kraken selecting one player from every NHL club (excluding Vegas). Seattle must draft a minimum of 14 forwards, nine defensemen, and three goalies.
Teams were permitted to protect seven forwards, three defensemen, and one goalie OR their choice of eight skaters (forwards/defensemen) and one goaltender. All first- and second-year professionals and unsigned draft picks are exempt from the process and thus do not need to be protected.

Who is protected on the Sabres?

The Sabres submitted the following protected list:
Forwards (7)
• Rasmus Asplund
• Anders Bjork
• Jack Eichel
• Casey Mittelstadt
• Victor Olofsson
• Sam Reinhart
• Tage Thompson
Defensemen (3)
• Rasmus Dahlin
• Henri Jokiharju
• Rasmus Ristolainen
Goalies (1)
• Linus Ullmark
That leaves the following players available for selection by the Kraken:
Forwards:
• Drake Caggiula
• Jean-Sebastien Dea
• Cody Eakin
• Steven Fogarty
• Zemgus Girgensons
• Andrew Oglevie
• Kyle Okposo
• Tobias Rieder
• Riley Sheahan
• Jeff Skinner
• C.J. Smith
Defensemen:
• Will Borgen
• Brandon Davidson
• Matt Irwin
• Jake McCabe
• Colin Miller
• Casey Nelson
Goaltenders:
• Michael Houser
• Carter Hutton
• Dustin Tokarski
Find the protected lists for every NHL team here.