The Associated Press

''Although we ended the hockey season officially for the '19-20 season (Monday) night, I can tell you we're pretty busy here in Smashville getting ready for the draft, free agency and hopefully for a full season next year,'' Nashville GM David Poile said. There is no rest for weary runner-up Dallas, the Lightning or the 29 other teams because the NHL offseason is already under way and will proceed with at a furious pace. There have already been a handful of trades, two prominent buyouts, the two-day draft starts next Tuesday and free agency opens Oct. 9, little more than a week away.