(UPDATE 1:11 PM)- Greg Thomson from Sportsnet has suggested on Twitter that the San Jose Sharks are now out of the Nash sweepstakes.  Long believed to be one of the favourites, word is they weren't willing to meet the asking price set by Howson. Interesting.

(UPDATE 10:35 PM)- Things seem to have gone quiet for the night.  Going to keep my blackberry and computer near by but I get the sense the excitement will have to wait till tomorrow. Sens remain very much in the mix for Nash but the biggest question remains- does he want to come here? With other names like Hjalmarsson and Ryan still floating around, it should be a fun day around here tomorrow. Oh ya, and apparently there is some sort of Draft?

On the day before the NHL Draft from Pittsburgh, rumours and speculation continue to surround Bryan Murray and the Ottawa Senators.

While there is a chance it’s a straightforward draft weekend for the Sens, it really does sound like they are trying to address a couple of needs this weekend.  Add in the excitement of the actual Draft and it should be a fun weekend for Sens fans.

The NHL held their annual awards in Las Vegas and it was a second consecutive milestone day for Senators defenceman Erik Karlsson.

Roughly 24 hours after signing a contract that will keep him in Senator colours for the next seven seasons, Erik Karlsson was named the Norris Trophy winner, which is given out annually to the league's best defenceman. That's right- Erik Karlsson is the best defenceman in the National Hockey League.

(UPDATE 8:31 PM)- MacLean fell short in the Jack Adams vote and Pacioretty took the Masterton.  Daniel Alfredsson will not go home empty handed as he was awarded the King Clancy Award for leadership and community contribution.

(UPDATE 7:13 PM)- The Professional Hockey Writer's Association got it right! After an outstanding season, Erik Karlsson has been named the league's best defenceman and been awarded the Norris Trophy. Incredible couple days for the kid!

(UPDATE 6:26 PM)- The deal with Erik Karlsson is for 7 years/$45.5 million. An annual cap hit of $6.5 million a season. Appropriate.

(UPDATE 6:06 PM)- And now the Ottawa Senators have made it official.  Defenceman Erik Karlsson has been signed to a seven year extension. No terms were immediately available.

With the NHL Draft week now officially underway, the action is expected to really pick up around the National Hockey League.

Rick Nash is a member of the Columbus Blue Jackets but it certainly sounds like that could change by week’s end.  And in a podcast posted on the Jackets official website, Columbus play by play guy Jeff Rimer confirms what I’ve been saying on here for a couple weeks- the Sens are one of the team interested in Rick Nash.

(UPDATE 5:48 PM)- Just a quick Sunday update to pass along.  It appears as though the Senators are interested in bringing back UFA to be Matt Carkner.  Word is an offer either already has been or soon will be made to the rugged defenceman.

In his first media address of the off season, Ottawa Senators GM Bryan Murray covered a number of topics including the upcoming Entry Draft, free agency and negotiations with RFA Erik Karlsson.

Listening to Murray talk, it's pretty clear he has his plate full this off season and we can expect the announcements to come fast and furious in the days leading up to the Draft in Pittsburgh.

With Monday night's Stanley Cup clinching win by the Los Angeles Kings, the National Hockey League off season is officially upon us.

And even though the thought of a hockeyless summer may seem daunting for fans, there is plenty to look forward to.  The NHL hands out its yearly awards a week from now in Las Vegas and then just two days later the Entry Draft will be held in Pittsburgh.