from Pierre LeBrun of ESPN,

In all seriousness, the NHL hasn’t announced it yet but sources suggest to ESPN.com that the annual awards gala will not be held in Sin City, as has been the case the last few years. The NHL owes two more years on its current contract with the folks in Vegas and will honor those starting again next season.

But for this year, because of the lockout-shortened season meaning there's a lack of available dates in June -- the Stanley Cup finals should go well into the month -- the awards are going to have to have a different look.

Just what that look is remains to be determined. The league is still mulling over different variations, such as a made-for-TV event in July or perhaps a preseason gala in September. It’s all up in the air at this point, except for the fact there won’t be any fun in Vegas this year.

read on for a possible draft date and GM meeting location...