NEWS » confirmed McKinnon will watch Saturdays g

It is finally time to exhale after the long journey that is the NHL season.It started what seems like a million years ago with preparation for training camp back in September. And now, thanks to new wrinkles in the collective bargaining agreement that allow free agents to discuss potential new homes with teams before the opening of the free-agency bazaar, the 2015-16 season, for all intents and purposes, ended on July 1.Did we mention exhaling?There still isnt much of an offseason in the traditional sense of the word. And, to be sure, plenty of teams need to get their collective houses in order before training camp rolls around in two months. Several teams, however, already find themselves in a pretty darned comfortable position heading into next season, having -- at least on paper -- assembled the deck chairs in a pleasing manner. Heres a look at some of the clubs that fall into each category as summer, true and proper, is upon us.Teams that can take a breatherNew Jersey DevilsThis isnt to suggest that the Devils, who have missed the playoffs every season since surprisingly advancing to the 2012 Stanley Cup finals, are a lock to finish in the top eight in the Eastern Conference next season. But you have to admire the work done by general manager Ray Shero in wheeling and dealing and finessing his lineup into a position where a postseason berth is very much a possibility.First, Shero did what is so difficult to do in the NHL: add guaranteed offense via trade. By acquiring one of the NHLs top left wingers in Taylor Hall, the 2010 first-overall draft pick who should be pretty motivated to prove the Edmonton Oilers wrong, Shero has provided a critical scoring catalyst. The Devils were dead last in goals per game last season, yet they hung around the playoff fringes until March. So if you figure in 30 goals from Hall, all of a sudden New Jersey is a different team.The deal cost the Devils top young defenseman Adam Larsson?-- and they also lost the useful David Schlemko (see below) to San Jose -- but they brought in Ben Lovejoy, whom Shero knows from their days in Pittsburgh. Lovejoy was an important cog in the Penguins defensive machine, which helped spur them to a Stanley Cup championship in June. Add in a nice complementary player like Vernon Fiddler, and you have to like how the Devils are trending.San Jose SharksIts been quite the renaissance for San Jose GM Doug Wilson, who seemed to have lost control of the ship a couple of years ago after the Sharks choked up a 3-0 first-round series lead against the Los Angeles Kings and then missed the playoffs the following year.This season, however, the Sharks reached their first Stanley Cup finals, and Wilson isnt resting on his laurels. He signed the aforementioned Schlemko to bolster a defense that wasnt quite good enough against Pittsburgh -- and did so at an affordable $8.4 million over four years. The Sharks also added a healthy dose of speed up front by signing free-agent winger Mikkel Boedker to a four-year deal that will pay the 2008 eighth-overall draft pick $4 million annually. This is a calculated risk for Wilson, as Boedker has never hit the 20-goal mark. But the native of Denmark will play with a talented forward group in San Jose, which bodes well for his goal production.Boedker, 26, is also familiar with Sharks coach Pete DeBoer, having thrived while playing for DeBoer in the OHL. San Jose also locked up?Tomas Hertl, who was injured for most of the finals. The Sharks signed the 22-year-old to a two-year bridge deal worth $2.8 million in the first year and $3.2 million in the second year, for a team-friendly $3 million cap hit. Hertl had a strong postseason before his knee injury. If, as some believed, the Sharks were vulnerable to taking a step back after their memorable run to the finals, Wilson seems to have assured that wont be the case.Tampa Bay LightningThe Lightning werent among the team that waded into free-agent waters on Friday, but by the end of the day they might have accomplished as much, maybe more, than any other team in the league.After ending months of suspense -- and more than a little angst for Lightning fans -- by signing captain Steven Stamkos to an eight-year deal worth $8.5 million annually on Wednesday, Steve Yzerman solidified his status as a GM deity by locking up defenseman Victor Hedman to an eight-year deal with a cap hit of $7.875 million per year on Friday. Both Stamkos and Hedman left millions of dollars on the table in terms of what they could have earned by becoming unrestricted free agents -- Stamkos could have hit the market on Friday, while Hedman would have become an unrestricted free agent next summer. But both committed long term to a team they believe is championship-caliber.Then, as if he hadnt already done enough, Yzerman locked up goalie of the future (or the now?),?Andrei Vasilevskiy, to a three-year extension at a very manageable $3.5 million annually. The contract does seem to suggest that the Lightning will be looking to move Vezina Trophy finalist Ben Bishop, who is entering the final year of his contract. But, regardless, the Lightning have secured the kind of building-block players that suggest more deep playoff runs are in the offing.No vacation for youNew York IslandersOn Friday, I took issue with the relative lack of activity by the New York Rangers as they enter a period of uncertainty regarding their lineup. Speaking of New York-area teams that dont seem to have a plan in place yet: The Islanders very early on indicated they werent interested in keeping winger?Kyle Okposo. So Okposo signed a seven-year deal worth $42 million with the Buffalo Sabres.Center?Frans Nielsen also departed, signing a six-year deal worth $5.25 million annually with the Detroit Red Wings, and forward?Matt Martin signed a four-year deal to serve as mentor and protector of some sort for the young Toronto Maple Leafs.Letting them escape was one thing, although you do hate to see your former guys stay in the same conference. Still, Im not sure how replacing those players with 30-year-old Andrew Ladd, at $5.5 million per year for seven years, and 37-year-old Jason Chimera, who signed?a two-year deal worth a total of $4.5 million, represents forward progress. I love Ladds dressing-room presence, but hes two years older than Okposo. So at the very best its a wash. I likewise love Chimeras ageless enthusiasm and durability, but given his advanced age, its hard not see this as a team thats tracking sideways at a most inopportune time, considering that the Islanders are coming off their first playoff-series win since 1993.Furthermore, are they content heading into next season with Thomas Greiss and Jaroslav Halak as their goaltending tandem -- especially given that Greiss, who was stellar in the playoffs, has never been a full-time starter and Halak is perpetually one step away from the disabled list?Anaheim DucksJuly 1 was a very quiet day for the Ducks, who saw Jamie McGinn, David Perron and Chris Stewart depart the nest, as it were, for the?Arizona Coyotes and St. Louis Blues, respectively, but did little else.That doesnt mean that GM Bob Murray, who earlier this spring rehired Randy Carlyle for a second turn as Ducks head coach, wont be busier later this summer. In fact, theres lots left on Murrays plate as he tries to figure out what to do with his glut of NHL-caliber young defensemen and looks to fill a hole or two up front.I know that defenseman?Cam Fowler has been in play for some time now as he heads into the final season of his contract. Its possible the asking price for Fowler will come down as the summer progresses. But Murray is going to have to move assets to make this all work. Hampus Lindholm and Rickard Rakell need new contracts as restricted free agents, and the team is without a backup goalie after trading Frederik Andersen to Toronto earlier this spring. That leaves youngster John Gibson as Anaheims lone, NHL-ready netminder.The Ducks remain a team that should be considered a Western Conference power but, unfortunately for Murray, he still has work to do before he can put his feet up and take a summer break. Vladimir Radmanovic Jersey . "I dont know that were close," said general manager Alex Anthopoulos. "I just think, right now, the acquisition cost just doesnt work for us right now. I dont know if I can quantify how far off or things like that that they might be but I would say we continue to have dialogue. Jim McIlvaine Jersey . Here are his mid-season NBA awards. MVP: (KEVIN DURANT-Thunder) - Has been sensational this season and more importantly, the most consistent player in the league. Considering that his team has been without star guard Russell Westbrook and with the free agent departure of sharpshooter Kevin Martin, hes had to carry the majority of the load to not only keep his team afloat but more importantly, at an elite level. https://www.cheapthunder.com/1301h-xavier-mcdaniel-jersey-thunder.html .com) - The Montreal Canadiens will try to halt their longest losing streak of the season when they host the struggling New York Islanders in tonights clash at the Bell Centre. Shawn Kemp Jersey . Houston won 3-0 to advance to face New York in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Last in the game, Di Vaio and Romero got into a shoving match with several Houston players. Romero appeared to elbow and kick Houston defender Kofi Sarkodie. Paul Westphal Jersey . - Chris Tierney snapped a tie with a power-play goal late in the third period as the London Knights rallied from a 3-0 deficit to beat the Erie Otters 5-3 in Ontario Hockey League action on Wednesday.Dundee United have confirmed Ray McKinnon as their new manager on a three-year contract. McKinnon resigned his position as Raith Rovers manager on Tuesday and had been in negotiations to succeed Mixu Paatelainen, who was sacked last week.That came after Sky Sports News HQ reported on Monday that discussions were underway after Raith accepted the offer of compensation from United on Sunday. McKinnon in action for Dundee United during his first spell at the club McKinnon told the clubs website: This is a wonderful opportunity at a club that is close to my heart and I am looking forward to taking on the task of rebuilding the club and developing the talent required to get us where we should be.There are a lot of challenges ahead and it is important that we give ourselves every opportunity to succeed. We will work hard to build a team that the United fans can be proud of.An ex-United player, the 45-year-old Dundonian made 122 appearances for the Tangerines, scoring thirteen goals in two spellss at the Club.ddddddddddddUnited, who were relegated from the Scottish Premiership and docked three further points for fielding ineligible players, confirmed McKinnon will watch Saturdays game away to Kilmarnock from the stand. McKinnon salutes the Rovers fans after the play-off defeat at Easter Road McKinnon guided Rovers to an impressive fourth-place Championship finish before their promotion hopes ended following a 2-1 aggregate defeat to Hibernian in the play-off quarter-final.McKinnon added: I want to thank everyone at Raith Rovers.I really enjoyed my time there and I am grateful to them for being so understanding of my desire to become manager of Dundee United. Raith Rovers are a fabulous, proper club whom I wish all the best. Also See: Raith accept McKinnon offer