While there is still another month of post-season fantasy hockey to be played, many managers have already hung up their skates for the summer and are anxiously awaiting the start of the 2009-2010 fantasy hockey season. Those managers looking to gain a competitive edge should consider a steady stream of off-season activity to gain a competitive edge over opponents.

Of course, The Sauce will keep you up to date on things taking place around the NHL in the off-season, but it may be advantageous to explore some of the following events or actions:

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NHL Entry Draft (June 26th/27th, 2009)

While it’s unrealistic to sit down and analyze every player in all 7 rounds of the NHL entry draft, it could be worth watching the first 2 rounds to get familiar with some of the talent that we could end up seeing in the next year or two. Granted, a lot of the players in the draft we may never see in the NHL, but there are those prospects in the upper-echelon of talent that could impact your fantasy team in the upcoming season. Also, experts analyzing the first round or two of the draft will revisit previous picks and tell how they are/will impact their respective organizations. It’s these little tidbits that could give managers a head start next season. Consider checking out a round or two this summer; it could pay dividends come fall.

Also, if you get the chance, check out a NHL Draft Party in your hometown. Many NHL organizations will open up their arenas or commandeer a local restaurant for fans to come and hang out, watch the draft, and interact with players. It’s a great way to support your team as well as the sport of hockey.

UFA/RFA Day (July 1st)
Second in excitement only to trade deadline day, July 1st is a day in which free agency opens in the NHL. Leading up to this day, rumors will swirl and potential deals will be in the works; a very exciting time indeed. Certainly keep an eye on this day as there very well may be some big names moving around to different teams in the NHL. If you are unfamiliar with some of the big names that will draw attention on July 1st, Sports City has put together restricted and unrestricted free agent lists that are up to date and accurate. The Sauce will be sure to keep you up to speed on how major signings will impact fantasy teams this fall all summer long.

Another way to enjoy the summer and still stay in-tune with what’s going on in the hockey world is by creating a ufa/rfa pool. It’s easy to make a list of 20-30 players, get a group of hockey enthusiasts together and have each one predict where the players will end up at summer’s end. It’s very DIY but a lot of fun. Plus, it keeps you in the loop about players and gets you thinking about fantasy implications.

Prospecting
There is going to be a group of rookies making their debut in the NHL next season from both this year and last year’s entry draft that will surely make an impact in the 2009-2010 season. Stay up to date with prospects by using the Hockey’s Future website. Each prospect is given a grade and a write up to tell you what kind of player they are and what to expect from them at the NHL level. For fantasy purposes, it is advantageous to have a look through some of the bigger names, especially for managers in deeper fantasy leagues or keeper leagues as the later rounds of the draft is where some serious damage can be done. It’s also beneficial to weed out the bigger names who may not have much value in your specific fantasy hockey league. Sometimes there are some names that gain attention on draft day but will have little impact on most fantasy teams. Do your homework.