The Seattle City Council unanimously approved plans for a privately funded $700 million renovation of KeyArena on Monday, clearing one of the last major hurdles in the city's bid to land an expansion NHL franchise.

The 8-0 vote was the final step needed to strengthen Seattle's expansion application, and it means a team could be playing in the building during the 2020-21 season.

December is the earliest the NHL board of governors will vote on potential expansion to Seattle, NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said Thursday.

Daly also called it "doubtful" any formal vote will happen on a Seattle franchise between meetings in October and December. Seattle Hockey Partners, the group looking to bring the NHL to the Pacific Northwest, will make a presentation to board's executive committee on Oct. 2. No vote will take place that day.

"We would have the vote in person," Daly said, referring to the annual December meeting that will take place in Florida.