NHL News and Injuries: GM of the Year Finalists, Kings, Avs, Stars and Canucks

The winners of the Jim Gregory Awards of the Year are…

Lia Assimakopoulos: The three finalists for GM of the Year are Jim Nill (Stars), Patrik Allvin (Canucks) and Bill Zito (Panthers).

DJ Smith returns to the Kings

David Pagnotta: Los Angeles Kings GM Rob Blake has confirmed that DJ Smith will return next season.

NHL Injury Notes

Evan Rawal: Colorado Avalanche forward Artturi Lehkonen will undergo shoulder surgery next week and could be ready for the start of training camp.

Forward Casey Mittelstadt's injury is not a long-term problem.

Corey Masisak: Several Avalanche players have bumps and bruises but all should be ready for the start of camp. Lehkonen will be a “closer” at the start of camp.

Corey Masisak: Avs forward Gabriel Landeskog said mentally he was close to returning but physically he wasn't that close.

• Corey Masisak: Landeskog said it's no use putting anything out of date when he returns to practice and runs at game speed. He added that he has not had any hiccups in the past two months and is feeling good.

Mike Heika: Dallas Stars forward Roope Hintz is able to skate while dealing with an upper-body injury.

Defender Jani Hakanpaa is seen in the distance.

• Elliotte Friedman: Hintz wasn't ready for Game 1 but is nearing a return and they hope to be ready for Game 2.

Brendan Batchelor: Vancouver Canucks goaltender Casey DeSmith said that in Game 3 against Nashville, he felt a thump in his groin. He held Game 4 as a defensive measure and not by choice.

Jeff Paterson: Canucks forward Brock Boeser said in Game 1 against the Oilers that he blocked a shot that led to an injury that led to a foul that led to a layoff.

• Brendan Batchelor: Boeser said his constipation problem will not affect his offseason training. You'll just need to be careful not to get cut or hit on the head. He uses blood thinners.

Thomas Drance: Canucks forward Elias Pettersson said he's had a bad knee since January and added “The longer it goes on, the more it hurts.”

His knee will not require surgery this offseason and should heal with rest.