The last game of 2017-18 was played two weeks ago, but it feels like the offseason is just now starting.
I'm traveling to Dallas today for the NHL draft, which begins tomorrow and wraps up Saturday. The Wild currently has eight picks, which is double the amount of selections it made two years ago.
On Sunday, the window to begin interviewing free agents opens – a precursor to the free-agent signing period kicking off July 1. And next Monday, qualifying offers to restricted free agents are due.
Before the hockey world turns its attention to Dallas, the focus was on Las Vegas Wednesday for the NHL Awards.

There were few surprises, one particularly close race for league MVP and no winners from the Wild; only winger Jason Zucker was nominated (King Clancy Memorial Trophy), but coach Bruce Boudreau (Jack Adams Award), defensemen Ryan Suter (Norris Trophy) and Jared Spurgeon (Lady Byng Trophy), captain Mikko Koivu (Selke Trophy), winger Mikael Granlund (Lady Byng) and center Eric Staal (Lady Byng and Hart Trophy) each received at least one vote.
As a member of the Professional Hockey Writers Association, I was tasked with voting on a handful of the awards. Below is my ballot; actual winners are bolded.
HART TROPHY (player most valuable to his team):
1. Nathan MacKinnon, Avalanche.
2. Taylor Hall, Devils.
3. Anze Kopitar, Kings.
4. Claude Giroux, Flyers.
5. Blake Wheeler, Jets.