Colorado Avalanche: Important 2019 Offseason Dates to Mark

While the Colorado Avalanche are well into their offseason, there are still some hockey dates coming up that are important for the team.

The Colorado Avalanche concluded their 2018-19 season on May 8 when they fell to the San Jose Sharks in Game 7 of the second round. Hey, it keeps getting better and better for Avs Nation. We’re even enjoying 10:1 odds of winning the Stanley Cup next season:

Not too shabby, eh?

Well, with the awarding of the Stanley Cup on Wednesday, we’re all officially in the offseason. However, though the 2018-19 season is in the books, we have some important dates to look forward to.

June 15: Deadline for first club-elected salary arbitration notification.

The Colorado Avalanche have 10 players within the organization eligible for salary arbitration:

• Sven Andrighetto
• Alexander Kerfoot
• JT Compher
• Ryan Graves
• Nikita Zadorov
• Dominic Toninato
• Sheldon Dries
• Mason Geertsen
• Anton Lindholm
• Spencer Martin

Of those players, I predict only Zadorov will seek salary arbitration.

June 15: First player buyout period begins.

In the past, the Avalanche have bought out players like Francois Beauchemin and Brad Stuart. However, I don’t anticipate any players getting bought out this year.

June 19: NHL Awards

The Colorado Avalanche don’t have any players up for awards. They should, but they don’t.

June 21: Round 1 of the 2019 NHL Draft

The Colorado Avalanche have picks #4 (from Ottawa) and #16 in the first round.

June 22: Rounds 2 to 7 of the 2019 NHL Draft

The Avalanche have numbers 47, 62 (from Ottawa), 78, 140, 171, and 202 in rounds 2 to 7 of the draft.

June 23: UFA interview period begins

At 12:01 am ET (10:01 pm MT), the Avalanche may begin talking to pending unrestricted free agents.

More from Mile High Sticking

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• Colorado Avalanche make sneaky signing with Tatar
• Colorado Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog could return in 2023-24 playoffs
• Colorado Avalanche rookie face-off tournament roster

June 25: Deadline for qualifying offers for RFAs, 5:00 pm ET (3:00 pm MT)

Colorado has 15 players in need of qualifying offers:

• Mikko Rantanen
• Sven Andrighetto
• Alexander Kerfoot
• Vladislav Kamenev
• JT Compher
• Ryan Graves
• Nikita Zadorov
• Dominic Toninato
• Sheldon Dries
• Mason Geertsen
• Anton Lindholm
• Spencer Martin
• Julian Nantel
• AJ Greer
• Sergei Boikov

Of course, the big name on that list is Mikko Rantanen. He’s the Avs’ top priority.

June 25: NHL releases full 2019-20 schedule

They’re at the local Starbucks right now figuring out way to make the Avs’ season even harder.

June 30: Buyout period ends

July 1: Free Agency Frenzy begins

The Colorado Avalanche have stated they have some specific players in mind they want to target. Here’s where we see what size of fish they’re able to land.

July 5: Deadline for player-elected salary arbitration

July 20: First day of salary arbitration hearings

August 4: Last day of salary arbitration hearings

August 15: Deadline for signing college drafted players

This is the last day teams can sign players who have completed four years of college. On August 16 they become unrestricted free agents, à la Alexander Kerfoot and Will Butcher.

Prospect Development Camp

I don’t know the dates for the prospect development camp. I asked the Colorado Avalanche twitter, and the answer was “Probably the same as last year.”

Last year the Avalanche held the camp starting the Thursday after the NHL Draft. That day was relegated to medical testing. The on-ice portion started on Friday.

According to Blackout Dallas, the Stars will hold their medical testing the Monday after the draft with on-ice drills starting on Tuesday.

I’m pretty much trying to hold the whole week after the draft in reserve for the prospect development camp. It’s my last chance to see any kind of Colorado Avalanche hockey until September:

Well, Avs Nation, how do you feel about the upcoming events. I’m more excited for the draft and prospect development camp because I just don’t see a lot happening in free agency.