- After the frenzy of player trades during the opening round of the NHL 2008 Entry Draft only one of significance took place in the subsequent rounds, as the Colorado Avalanche dealt forward Brad Richardson to the Los Angeles Kings for the 61st overall pick in the draft.

Richardson, a 23-year-old checking forward, spent the past three seasons bouncing between the Avalanche and the AHL. He has 40 points in 136 NHL games.

- Speaking of the Kings, they might not be able to buy out goaltender Dan Cloutier if it is determined he’s not medically fit to play. Cloutier has been plagued by injuries in recent years and if he fails to pass a medical screening the Kings won’t be allowed to buy him out. They could however place him on long-term injury status next season if he’s still not fit to play.

- Kings defenseman Jon Klemm’s 15-year NHL career has apparently come to an end, as the 38-year-old has signed a one-year contract to play in Germany’s DEL league next season.

Klemm played for four NHL teams, most of those with the Quebec Nordiques/Colorado Avalanche as a “stay-at-home” blueliner, and was an integral part of the Avs two Stanley Cup championship teams.

-The Carolina Hurricanes have placed forward Jeff Hamilton and defenseman David Tanabe on waivers, and the Washington Capitals have done the same with defenseman Ben Clymer.

If these three should clear waivers by noon on June 24th they’ll be bought out of the final year of their respective contracts. Clymer and Hamilton each have one year and $1.1 million remaining on their respective deals, while Tanabe has $900K remaining on the final year of his contract.

Their buyouts will count as two thirds the remaining value spread over twice the remaining tenure of their contracts against the salary caps of the Hurricanes and Capitals.

With the 2006 Stanley Cup playoffs now completed, I'll be turning my attention on this blog toward the upcoming Entry Draft Weekend and the UFA market, which commences July 1st.

I'll be using this blog to post and comment on whoever is selected first overall in this year's draft (the betting is Erik Johnson will likely get that honour), as well as any major trades that should occur.

It's shaping up to be a busy weekend in that regard. The Red Wings and Lightning are actively shopping for goaltenders and could make their moves on Saturday. There's growing speculation Roberto Luongo could either be re-signed or traded by the Pathers within the next ten days. The Vancouver Canucks, Boston Bruins, Buffalo Sabres and Montreal Canadiens might try to move some players this weekend, too.

Following that, I'll also comment on the major UFA signings, and there could be quite a few. Lidstrom, Elias, Jovanovski, Redden, Chara, Carter, Arnott and others could be on the market next month, and that could mean a very busy couple of weeks in early July as the bidding gets frenzied.

I'll also comment on any contract buyouts which may occur between now and June 30th. Could Alexei Yashin be bought? Could Billy Guerin? Who else could be bought out? There could be some interesting moves made in the next few days.

In other words, just because the playoffs are over doesn't mean there won't be any activity here! The busiest time of the off-season is now upon and that should mean plenty of news, so check back here often in the coming weeks.