Former Vancouver Canucks assistant general manager Laurence Gilman has been retained by the NHL to help build the infrastructure for any potential league expansion. One can reasonably expect that Gilman’s new role includes advising on the expansion draft and the rules therein.

Gilman, who recently appeared on Sportsnet to help with their trade deadline coverage as the designated capologist, has been out of the league since the Canucks relieved him of his duties last summer. In his time with the Canucks, Gilman was primarily responsible for navigating the team’s salary cap structure. His best work includes tip-toeing the Canucks within $1,000 of the upper limit during their 2010-11 Stanley Cup run.

Expansion talk has cooled down considerably this season. The declining Canadian dollar and salary cap implications therein are making Quebec City a less and less feasible destination on the daily. Given their new arena and historical success as an NHL market with the Nordiques, it seemed a likely destination for outward expansion.

Seattle and Las Vegas remain the most likely destinations going forward. It hasn’t been confirmed to this point, but one might reasonably expect Gilman to have a role in any expansion franchise going forward. And, oh, the loopholes they’ll find. It just won’t be fair.