Following the Chicago Blackhawks' victory over the Philadelphia Flyers in Game Six of the Stanley Cup Finals on Wednesday, clinching the franchise's first Stanley Cup championship since 1961, the National Hockey League's offseason is officially underway.
Ahead on the NHL's June schedule lies its annual award show in Las Vegas on the 23rd and the hope-filled NHL Entry Draft held two nights later at Los Angeles' famed Staples Center.
The first of July, however remains the most exciting of the events on the league's itinerary. This day can make or break teams for one season and even multiple down the road.
Needless to say, it is kind of a big deal.
A hockey fan's Christmas, July's beginning marks the opening of the NHL's free agency period, where months of fan speculation and general managers' review and preparation come to an end as they attempt to fill their franchise's holes, bolster their defense corps and create offensive depth.
The busiest day in terms of player movement every year, a great number of skate-lacers will find new homes, some for years to come, and others for a one-year shot at proving their worth to t ...
Read Full Article at Bleacher Report - NHL
Article written by Nik Leighton
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June 11th, 2010 by Nik Leighton Leave a reply »
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