With the season over and summer just weeks away, Mike Vogel put together a list of important dates for Caps fans to remember, giving us all something to look forward to.
May 28-June 3 – NHL Combine in Buffalo, NY
JUNE
June is perhaps one of the biggest months in hockey ever as we look at the expansion draft.
June 1 – Clubs must submit their reserve player list. Per Vogel, no players will drop off of Washington’s list this year. The Caps have extended a “bona fide offer” to Dmitry Zaitsev, their 7th round pick in 2016. The 19-year-old is a Russian defenseman who played for the Moose Jaw Warriors of the WHL this past season and finished +19!
June 15 (or 48 hours after conclusion of Stanley Cup final) – Contract buyout window opens.
June 16 -Last day to place a player on waivers prior to the Expansion Draft Trade/Waiver Freeze (12 p.m. ET).
Deadline for Players to agree to “waive” their “No Move” clauses for purposes of the Expansion Draft (5 p.m. ET).
June 17 – Clubs must submit their protected list for the Expansion Draft. Most teams are expected to protect seven forwards, three defensemen, and a goalie as opposed to eight skaters and a goalie. Las Vegas will select one Capital off the list of unprotected, eligible players. More here.
June 18 -Deadline for Central Registry to approve and simultaneously distribute the Protection Lists to all NHL Clubs (including the Expansion Club) and the NHLPA (10 a.m. ET).
Expansion draft list becomes available to public (about 10 a.m. ET)
Opening of the UFA/RFA Interview Period (only applies to players who are available for selection in the Expansion Draft) for the Expansion Club only (10 a.m. ET).
For an overview of the rules governing the expansion draft, see here.
June 21 – NHL’s Awards Show. The league will announce the 30 players selected by Las Vegas in the Expansion Draft. Keep in mind that Las Vegas must come in under the salary cap, so not many big $$ contracts should be selected.
Adidas will unveil news jerseys for all 31 teams. More on the new sweaters here.
June 22 -Expansion Draft Signing Moratorium and Trade/Waiver Freeze are lifted (8 a.m. ET).
June 23-24 – NHL Draft in Chicago. As of now, Washington does not have a pick in the first three rounds! More here.
June 26 – Qualifying offers must be submitted to restricted free agents.
It’s also one of the happiest times of the year, our annual first look at some of the younger guys – Summer Development Camp begins! This year’s camp will run from 6/26 through 7/1.
End of June – NHL schedule should be announced sometime in late June and a new number should be given to teams on next season’s salary cap.
JULY
July 1 – Free Agency Begins. The annual rat-race, if you will, of hockey.
Last day of Capitals Summer Development Camp. Prospect final scrimmage at Kettler Capitals Iceplex.
July 5 – Deadline for players to elect to go to arbitration. Keep in mind, Restricted Free Agents must be eligible for arbitration, which means the Caps have potential arbitration requests from Connolly, Grubauer, Kuznetsov, Orlov, and Schmidt. One of those five is expected by most to be selected by Las Vegas.
July 6 – Deadline for the Capitals and all other teams to request arbitration.
July 15 – Deadline for players to accept qualifying offers.
July 20 – Beginning of arbitration hearings in Toronto.
AUGUST
August 4 – End of arbitration hearings in Toronto.
SEPTEMBER
September 9-12 – Rookie tournament in Estero. The Florida Panthers, the Tampa Bay Lightning, and the Nashville Predators will be participating in this third annual event. More here.
TBA September – Training camp and preseason games to be announced.
OCTOBER
October 14 – Hockey’s Back – Opening night.
Here are a few images of guys you may see in DC this summer.
How will Garrett Pilon factor into the mix when he joins Hershey full-time?
Expect big things from Lucas Johansen this season.
Not even a snow storm stops this guy – Vanecek was solid this season in Hershey.
Barber, along with Vrana, appears to have caught the eye of many in DC with his speed and skill.
Don’t forget about Travis Boyd, he hasn’t missed a game in two seasons and was an All-Star.
D-man Christian Djoos had a break-out sophomore season.
Despite a horrific injury, Madison Bowey battled back to the ice and on it as well.
Tyler Lewington can be that tough guy that teams need.
By Julie Beidler
Follow @juliebeidler
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