Top Shelf....Monday?

Th-th-th-that's all folks! The 2011-2012 season is over and we have ourselves a Stanley Cup Champion.

This means one thing for the NHL; transition time! Every year once the Cup is awarded and all the dust has settled, the focus shifts to the season ahead.

With no hockey to be played until pre-season action (sigh), clubs now focus on the NHL Entry Draft which is only days away.

Now that the NHL season is officially over, we will be looking at the biggest events around the league over the past week...er...two weeks.

Click read more!

• The Los Angeles Kings win the Stanley Cup

They gave most supporters quite a scare blowing the 3-0 series lead, but the Los Angeles Kings hung on to defeat the New Jersey Devils in commanding fashion. The Kings scored three(!) power play goals on one five-minute power play to put the game out of reach.

The Kings deserved the Cup this year and they showed it. During his post game interview, LA Captain Dustin Brown, said "We showed we can f*****g play". Of course you guys can Dustin. That big silver cup behind you seems to agree.

• The San Jose Sharks acquired the rights to D Brad Stuart from the Detroit Red Wings

Great move by the Sharks bringing back Stuart. Sharks GM Doug Wilson knew exactly what he was doing when he picked up the stay at home defenseman. Stuart's family still resides in San Jose and he returns to California during the off seasons. 

It looks like a deal will be reached between the two sides unless there is a massive falling out. 

"I don't know if it's going to be my final NHL contract, but I hope it is my final destination" said Stuart. The two sides have already had talks. Darren Dreger (Insider at TSN) believes this deal will be announced any day now so expect to see the big defenseman in teal come October.

• The Boston Bruins resign C Chris Kelly and C Gregory Campbell

Kelly put up career highs in goals and points and cashed in because of it with a four year, $12 million contract ($3 mil per). 

Campbell is a solid fourth line player that really proved his worth to the club on their Stanley Cup run over a year ago.

Neither of these guys will be big game changers but it just goes to show how thin this year's free agent market is.

• The Tampa Bay Lightning acquire G Anders Lindback from the Nashville Predators

To Nashville:

G Sebastien Caron

2013 3rd round draft pick

Two 2nd round picks in this week's draft

To Tampa:

G Anders Lindback

F Kyle Wilson

2012 7th round draft pick

With this deal Tampa adds a young promising goalie that they hope can improve their league worst 3.39 GAA this past year. While Lindback's sample size has been small (22 GP) the consensus is that he will develop into a solid long term goalie with the club. Look for the Lightning to add another goaltender before the summer is over as 42 year old G Dwayne Roloson is not expected to return.

• The St. Louis Blues resign D Barret Jackman

Cross another defenseman off the list. Teams have been locking up their assets that they think are irreplaceable. 

Jackman resigns at three years and $9.5 million over that term. 

Could he have gotten more on the open market? Probably. However, with St. Louis' recent rise in the NHL, staying with the Blues who will look to contend again this season was probably a smart decision.

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So there you have it. The biggest news from the past two weeks around the NHL. It has been quite a slow summer but expect to be seeing lots of headlines this week with the NHL Entry Draft on Friday. There will be trades and teams will be hope to be drafting an important piece to their club.

This week we should have an update on the big names available this off season as well as a Pre-Draft post that will get you up to speed on your favorite team.

Thanks for reading!