The Stanley Cup has been awarded, but that’s just a sideshow compared to what else is going on in the boardrooms of the 30 NHL teams.

No hockey is being played, but the NHL is in the midst of its busiest time.

We find out who gets in the Hall of Fame on Monday. On Tuesday, we learn who will win this year’s Hart Trophy and the other major awards. Player buyouts have already started, and 210 young skaters will be drafted next Friday. And hundreds of players will become free agents on July 1.

“You have to prepare for July 1 in a hurry,” said Dean Lombardi, GM of the Cup-champion Kings.

Some players are restricted free agents, who need to be given qualifying offers from their current teams to retain the right to match offer sheets from competing teams.

The most interesting are unrestricted free agents, who can choose their own destiny by taking the best offer they get from any of the 30 teams or, for that matter, European leagues.

Then there are the trades. Teams that can’t re-sign their UFAs will trade the re-signing rights before July 1. That has already happened, when San Jose traded Dan Boyle to the New York Islanders, who failed to sign him and are trying to deal him again.

And draft picks will be traded. Florida is shopping No. 1 overall and while it’s rare the top pick moves, this year it’s more likely to happen than most.

Everything is tied to the salary cap, which first needs to be established, so teams know exactly how much they can spend before they decide who they are going to spend it on.

Here’s how the business of the league will play out for the next couple of weeks:

Salary Cap

According to the Sports Business Journal, the league’s revenues this year hit $3.7 billion (U.S.).

That would put the salary cap at about $70 million per team, and the floor close to $53.4 million for the 2014-15 season. In 2013, the cap was $64.3 million — the floor $44 million — so teams that spend up to the cap like the Maple Leafs have another $6 million or so to play with.

In the Leafs case, they have $54 million committed to 12 players, with big-ticket salaries for Phil Kessel ($8 million) and Dion Phaneuf ($7 million) kicking in.

The cap is based on average salary, not annual salary. So a player with a front-loaded contract could have a high average salary but little remaining in actual salary.

With the league in the midst of record growth — remember, it’s a 50-50 split with players — the salary cap is also expected to rise even more for 2015-16. That’s good news for the Chicago Blackhawks, who will have room to sign both Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane to extensions in July, giving both big raises a year before they become unrestricted free agents in 2015.

Both are expected to sign for $12 million a season — smashing through the $9.54-million cap hit record established by Alex Ovechkin. If they do, the Hawks would still in theory leave money on the table. The max either could sign for — 20 per cent of the cap — would be about $14 million.

Waiting in the wings is Tampa sniper Steve Stamkos, an unrestricted free agent in 2016 who can be signed to an extension in the summer of 2015. If he opts for free agency during a time of rising NHL revenues, he could cash in beyond Toews/Kane money.

Buyouts

The buyout period began 48 hours after Kings captain Dustin Brown raised the Stanley Cup, and it ends June 30 at 5 p.m. There are two kinds of buyouts, both calculated the same way.

One is a compliance buyout, introduced last year to help teams get under a reduced salary cap coming out of the lockout. Compliance buyout dollars do not count under the salary cap. Each team is allowed two, but this is the last year teams can use it.

The Maple Leafs used both of theirs last year to buy out Mikhail Grabovski and Mike Komisarek. The regular buyout rules are that the player must clear waivers, the player must not be injured and cannot re-sign with the team that bought him out.

A player is entitled to two-thirds his salary and his remaining signing bonus. For purposes of the cap, the salary is paid out as if the player is getting one-third his salary for twice the remaining term.

If it is not a compliance buyout but rather a regular buyout, the dollars count against the salary cap.

For example, a bought-out player with $3 million in salary remaining is entitled to get $2 million. But he’d get $1 million this season and $1 million the next. In a regular buyout situation, the $1 million counts against the team’s cap both seasons.

Some have already been bought out: Buffalo’s Ville Leino, Vancouver’s David Booth, Detroit’s Jordin Tootoo and Dallas’s Aaron Rome. Brad Richards, as expected, was bought out Friday by the New York Rangers.

The following teams have two compliance buyouts left: Anaheim, Boston, Calgary, Carolina, Colorado, Columbus, Florida, Los Angeles, Nashville, Ottawa, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, San Jose, St. Louis and Winnipeg.

One compliance buyout left: Buffalo, Dallas, Edmonton, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York Islanders, Tampa Bay and Washington.

Chicago, Detroit, Montreal, New York Rangers, Philadelphia, the Leafs and Vancouver have no remaining buyouts.

Buyout candidates

Centre Mike Richards, Kings. A cap hit of $5.75 million until 2020. His game has declined and minutes reduced as the talent-rich Kings got deeper into their Cup run. Could be sacrificed to allow Kings to re-sign pending UFA Marian Gaborik.

Defenceman Tyler Myers, Sabres. A $5.5-million cap hit for the next five seasons. It might be risky to buyout someone so young at 24. But his numbers have declined consistently from his rookie year of 48 points in 2009-10 to 22 points last year.

Centre Vincent Lecavalier, Flyers. The Lightning used a compliance buyout on Lecavalier last year. The Flyers have already used their two compliance buyouts on Daniel Briere and Ilya Bryzgalov). So if the Flyers want to buyout Lecavalier now, they’d be paying him $1 million a year (plus signing bonuses) until 2122, but save about $2 million a year in cap space until 2018.

Centre Martin Havlat, Sharks. The Sharks have already told the 33-year-old he won’t be back. He has a cap hit of $5 million, making him a likely candidate for a compliance buyout.

Left winger Ryan Malone, Lightning. A $4.5-million cap hit, declining production and a cocaine arrest likely equal the end of the line for Malone in Tampa.

Forward Alexandre Burrows, Canucks. A $4.5-million cap hit until 2016-17, Burrows produced a mere five goals in 49 games.

Forward Erik Cole, Stars. A $4.5-million cap hit for the upcoming season. He had 29 points last season.

Trades

Much like the coaching carousel of firings that accompanied the end of the season and early eliminations from the playoffs, the trade market is now about to heat up. Let’s look at what’s available:

No. 1 overall in the June 28-29 draft.

The Florida Panthers have a new owner who wants to get better in a hurry. GM Dale Tallon also believes he has enough high-end prospects after years of high draft picks to make this pick expendable. He’d happily move down a few spaces — and yes, the Maple Leafs at eighth overall would covet centre prospect Sam Bennett — or move out of the first round altogether, for the right price.

No. 3 overall.

The Edmonton Oilers, another team that has drafted incredibly high for a long period of time, would love to get some quality experienced players, especially on defence. They’re not likely to move this pick, however, until the first two picks have been chosen.

Jason Spezza.

The Senators’ long-time captain is on his way out, and a rebuild is underway in Ottawa. GM Bryan Murray wants a high pick and an established player. Good luck. With just one year left on his contract, the 31-year-old is a long-term rental. Anaheim is a likely destination, a No. 2 behind Ryan Getzlaf. Spezza would make Florida better in a hurry, too.

Ryan Kessler.

Everyone’s favourite centre who didn’t get moved at the trade deadline will likely be gone from Vancouver by the draft. Leafs GM Dave Nonis is said to like him. The Sharks and Ducks could use a two-way centre like him to get past the Kings. Philadelphia, Columbus and Montreal were involved at the trade deadline. He’ll be 30 in August, making him old enough to join the Red Wings.

Evander Kane.

The Jets seem willing to listen to offers on this six-foot-two, 23-year-old playmaking centre. His numbers have been erratic: 19 goals last year after a high of 30 in 2011-12. He has been depicted as a problem child in his Winnipeg surroundings. He’s the right age for the Maple Leafs.

Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau.

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The San Jose Sharks — a team that continually disappoints in the playoffs — may be ready to part ways with a couple of fabulous regular-season contributors. GM Doug Wilson has done a good job of getting younger while staying good (adding Tomas Hertl, for example). It may be time to part ways with Thornton and Marleau, both are 34. The Red Wings and Bruins would be interested, and perhaps the Flyers also.

Keith Yandle.

No trade speculation list is complete without the seemingly always-available but never traded Yandle, a key defenceman with the Phoenix Coyotes. Under-appreciated as a puck-moving defenceman, the 27-year-old would help any power play in the league.

Cam Ward.

The long-time Carolina Hurricanes goalie has a no-trade clause, but the 30-year-old may well have lost his job after a few uneven campaigns. Now that Ron Francis is running the team, Ward might welcome a move. The Flyers are always big on picking up goalies long after their best-before date. The Islanders, too, for that matter. The Canucks might need a veteran goalie, too.

Philadelphia Flyers.

They never stand pat and have made a habit of trading core players. This time, they’re holding the draft and could feel like putting on a show. Anyone need a Schenn?

NHL draft (June 28-29)

This is not a very deep draft. The so-called Grade A picks are in short supply, as are the Grade B ones. There are a lot Grade Cs — projected bottom-of-the-lineup players. If there will be any drama it will happen at the top, where any one of five players could go first overall, depending on need and who is drafting.

Here’s a look at the top five choices:

Samuel Bennett, Kingston Frontenacs

It is increasingly looking as if Bennett (six-feet, 178 pounds) will go first overall, even if he can’t do a chin-up. He is one of two pure centres in the top-5. It’s all the more likely he goes first if Florida, rich in young centres, trades the pick. He has been compared favourably to Toews and Gabriel Landeskog.

Aaron Ekblad, Barrie Colts

A big defencemen — nicknamed Man-Boy for the maturity level that goes with a six-foot-three, 216-pound frame — seems ready for NHL work at 18. He may never put up big offensive numbers, but he can be a cornerstone franchise defenceman. The Sabres have the second overall pick, and the Oilers would love to get him at third overall.

Sam Reinhart, Kootenay Ice

With 36 goals and 105 points in 60 games, Reinhart will eventually be a top-line winger even though he played centre in Kootenay. He’d follow his brothers, Max and Griffin and father, Paul into the NHL

Leon Draisatl, Prince Albert Raiders

The German forward had 38 goals and 105 points in 64 games on a team without much firepower. He is six-foot-one and 208 pounds, bigger than Bennett. His Czech-born father, Peter, played pro in Europe. The Flames, picking fourth, would be happy if he’s still around.

Kasperi Kapanen, Kalpa (Finland)

The son of former NHLer Sami Kapanen, he grew up in Philadelphia thanks to his dad having been a Flyer, and should get a rousing ovation when his name is called. The two played for Kalpa together (his dad co-owns the team). Scouts say he is mentally strong with an ability to score. The Islanders pick fifth.

However, this is not to say these will be the top five.

There are a lot moving parts, and others valued highly including Michael Dal Colle, a left winger with the Oshawa Generals, and William Nylander of Modo of the Swedish Hockey League.

Top Free agents

F Marian Gaborik, Kings: Earned $7.5 million last year. Being one of the top scorers in the playoffs for the Cup champions allowed Gaborik to play his way to the top of the UFA list. A proven regular-season scorer with a grounding in defensive-style hockey. The Kings are trying to find a way to keep the 32-year-old, but New Jersey always seems like a nice fit.

F Thomas Vanek, Canadiens: Coming off a $7.1-million cap hit. A real disappointing playoff — he became Thomas Vanish — may hurt him. Another proven scorer, and he’s only 30. The betting is he lands with the Wild. Although Austrian, Vanek went to university in Minnesota and likes the surroundings.

F Jarome Iginla, Bruins: Coming off a bonus-loaded $6 million salary. At 36, there’s always a risk, but Iginla scored 30 goals and played a key role for the best regular-season team in the East. Talks continue with the Bruins.

D Matt Niskanen, Penguins: Coming off a $2.5 million salary. At 27, he’s one of the youngest UFAs to hit the market. One imagines a big pay hike for Niskanen, who came of age this year as a puck-moving defenceman.

D Andrei Markov, Canadiens: Coming off a $5.75 million salary. At 35, Markov showed little sign of decline in his game. He was looking for a three-year, $18 million deal with the Habs. He might well be moving on. The Penguins and Red Wings typically make good use of a player of Markov’s ilk.

G Martin Brodeur, Devils: Coming off a $4.5-million deal, Brodeur is 42. The Devils don’t want him back but he still wants to play. It will be interesting to see if any team wants to take a chance on a sure-fire Hall of Famer.

Restricted free agents

The two to watch are Ryan O’Reilly of the Colorado Avalanche and P.K. Subban of the Canadiens.

With more money to spend, the pressure will be in places like Colorado and Montreal to spend more on those players.

Both teams tried to hold the line on the so-called “bridge” contracts on these players two years ago, rather than go long-term.

O’Reilly cashed in for $5 million when Calgary made him an offer that Colorado was forced to match. Montreal held the line on Subban at $2.87 million.

Now these players are more valuable to their teams than ever and closer to unrestricted free agency. But these two may want short-term deals now and cash in big time in a couple of years.