For some hockey fans, the regular season may be over much sooner than what you expected. But as many of you know, the NHL off-season is actually short compared to some other sports. The Stanley Cup Playoffs will last as long as two months, but hockey activities don’t end there.

Early May will feature some current Nashville Predators playing in the IIHF World Championship. So far, Craig Smith and Seth Jones will represent the United States. Ryan Ellis will be playing on Team Canada, and Roman Josi will shore up the blueline for Switzerland.

Following the end of the playoffs, fans will get to watch the NHL Awards, followed by the 2014 NHL Entry Draft and then the free-agent frenzy begins. A couple weeks later, the Predators hold their development camp and then we’re only two months away from training camp.

So rest easy, Predators fans, there are plenty of hockey related events to keep you occupied until the puck drops at Bridgestone Arena again.

May 9-25: IIHF World Championship

• United States: Craig Smith and Seth Jones
• Canada: Ryan Ellis
• Switzerland: Roman Josi

May 16-25: Canadian Hockey League Memorial Cup (prospects already in the organization and for the upcoming draft could be here)

June 18: Last possible date for Stanley Cup Final

June 24: NHL Awards

• Will Shea Weber bring home the Norris?

June 25 – July 1: UFA may meet and interview with potential new Clubs, but may not sign offers (This is new beginning this year.)

June 27-28: 2014 NHL Entry Draft

• The Nashville Predators will pick 11th overall.
• See ISS Hockey’s latest Top 30 Prospects.

June 30: Deadline for tendering qualifying offers to RFAs

• Decisions will have to be made on Ryan Ellis, Nick Spaling, Mattias Ekholm and Michael Del Zotto.
• In the system, RFAs include: Taylor Beck, Simon Moser.

July 1: Free agency begins.

July 6-13: Nashville Predators Rookie Development Camp

• This is most likely be where fans get their first taste of the new coach of the Nashville Predators in action for the team.

September 13-16: Nashville Predators Rookie Training Camp

September 18: Nashville Predators Training Camp begins

Early October: NHL regular season begins

 

*Phot Credit: Kristen Jerkins*