Like it or not, the Caps offseason is here. And with the offseason comes several important events for the Caps organization. Most notably, the Capitals Development Camp, which brings in the organization’s young prospects to Kettler Capitals Iceplex for a week to show off their skills for the coaching staff. Development Camp is an important summer event, and helps determine which prospects will stay in juniors, or move up to the AHL and possible NHL.

This year, Caps Development Camp will take place from June 26 to July 1. All practice days are open to the public, and the week ends with a large scrimmage event on the first day of free agency (July 1). More details and a list of participating prospects will be announced closer to the event.

The Capitals’ Mike Vogel also announced other key dates for fans to mark on their calendars. Notable events include:

• The deadline for teams to submit protected list for Las Vegas expansion draft is June 17. The Caps can protect either seven forwards, three defensemen and a goaltender or eight skaters and a goaltender.
• The NHL Awards Show will be held in Las Vegas on June 21. The league will also announce the players selected to go to the Vegas Golden Knights via the expansion draft.
• The 2017-18 regular season schedule is expected to be released on June 22. The new year will officially start on October 4.
• The 2017 NHL entry Draft will take place in Chicago on June 23 & 24. Psssst. The Caps have no draft picks before the fourth round.
• Finally, the first day of free agency is July 1. AKA: Half the Capitals UFAs sign with different teams and we all cry.

See the full list of key dates on Dump n’ Chase

While we don’t know exactly what will happen, a bunch of changes are expected in the coming weeks for the Caps. Good or bad, this year’s offseason is bound to be both thrilling and nauseating.