1971 NHL Expansion Draft

The 1971 NHL Expansion Draft was when the league added the Buffalo Sabres and Vancouver Canucks, allowing them to select players from existing teams. Existing teams made limited player choices, leaving many skilled players available for the new teams to build competitive rosters. This draft helped the new teams become operational and competitive, shaping the league's expansion strategy. It was a key event in NHL history, marking the league's growth beyond its original six teams.