Silver Nuggets: Your important offseason dates

Now that the NHL season has finally ended (it's 30 degrees today in Toronto!), it's really time for the offseason to ramp up. A lot of teams wait to make any big trades, hirings, or firings until the Cup has been handed out, especially because of important deadlines in terms of player signing dates, contract windows, and the like.

Here's a breakdown of all of the dates that I've found, and some important Sens-related questions heading into each date so that you can follow the news accurately.

1) The major NHL buyout window opens 48 hours the Cup has been handed out (night of June 17th) and lasts until June 30th

• Will the Senators buy out Colin Greening, David Legwand, or Jared Cowen? I highly doubt given Murray's recent answers to the question ("don't even bother asking") but it's something that should definitely be considered for a budget-conscious team, instead of dampening down your return for legitimate trade assets./

2) NHL Awards - June 24th

• Will Erik Karlsson win his second Norris? Will Mark Stone be the second Senator to ever win the Calder? Will Andrew Hammond win the Masterton? /

3) NHL Entry Draft - June 26/27

• The entire first round happens on the night of the 26th, with rounds 2-7 happening on the 27th. Though a bulk of the smaller trades happen on day two, I'd imagine that the Senators may try to get another first round pick, either through the goaltender trade, or by trading their two second round picks (#42, #48) for a first, a la 2011.
• Something else to watch here is whether the Senators will decide to cut some of the 'dead weight' on the roster by trading Greening, Legwand, Smith, Cowen, Gryba, etc. for a pick to a team either taking a chance on a disgruntled player (Cowen), wanting to add a decent veteran (Legwand), or deciding that the Sens depth players are better than what's available in free agency (Smith, Gryba) /

4) Free Agency - Begins 12:00 pm ET on July 1st

• UFAs able to interview with other teams - June 25th
• RFA qualifying offer deadline - June 29th; expire on July 15th
• RFAs able to interview with other teams - June 30th
• What will happen to Erik Condra, in addition to Derek Grant + Chris Wideman, who are Group VI UFA's? The Senators are reportedly trying to re-sign Wideman, and have shown interest in Condra, but it'll depend on what happens prior in terms of shedding salary /

5) Arbitration

• if the player elects salary arbitration, they have to notify the team by 5:00pm ET on July 5
• if the team elects to file for arbitration with RFAs who have qualifying offers, they have to notify the player by 5:00pm ET on July 6
• Arbitration hearings begin on July 20th and end on August 4th
• This is something to watch re: Alex Chiasson and Mike Hoffman. Most arbitration hearings are a messy process/

Thanks to B_T for your help!

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Sens Links

• The Senators announced this morning that they've signed 2013 4th round pick Tobias Lindberg to an ELC. I wonder if they ask Andreas Englund to come over to North America after Lindberg's success. [Ottawa Senators, Randy Lee comments, Silver Seven Discussion Thread]
• We're getting to decision time with a couple of important RFAs and UFA Erik Condra. Callum goes through his list on who's more important than who. [Silver Seven]
• Heading into the draft, Jack asks if the Senators have any untouchable players. Karlsson. Stone. Turris? Zibanejad? [SenShot]
• On the goaltender market, Nichols has an update via Elliotte Friedman. [6th Sens]
• Trevor talks draft strategy and mentions a whole bunch of intriguing second round names. The Senators have three picks in the top 48, but it may be added to after the goaltender trade. [SenShot]
• Ross asks who the Sens should draft with their first round pick. If it's a forward, McKeen's scout Grant McCagg asks whether it'll be an undersized winger, or a two-way centre. I'd go with the winger. [Silver Seven]
• This week's SenShot prospect profile is on one of my favourite forwards in the draft: Anthony Beauvillier [SenShot]
• Jeff has a great post that goes in-depth on the lone (as of right now) BSens rookie blueliner, Ben Harpur. Harpur may be joined by training camp attendee, Kevin Tansey, a burly, defensive D from Clarkson U. [Silver Seven]
• The 'Your Say' series continues with three players that will play a pivotal part in the Senators youth movement. [Silver Seven: Your Say - Puempel, Lazar, Pageau]

NHL Links

• ICYMI, the Chicago Blackhawks won their third cup in the past six years. Congrats to former Sens Antoine Vermette, David Rundblad, Marian Hossa, and former BSens video coach Matt Meacham /