With that goal last night, the offseason truly began. Just like that, the season was over. Yes there will be celebrations and such for Chicago and “what could have beens” for Philly but the bottom line for the rest of us is the offseason is HERE. Today on the schedule we will have the last FH 101: These Three Turkeys. Do not fret, there will be a Turkeys Of The Year post coming sometime in the next week or two.
Also to all of the writers and media that covered last night’s events…..did you even sleep at all? Numerous stories are floating in a little later than usual. The time difference cannot be blamed. At any rate, rumors of excessive partying were the norm but reports indicate that Chicago is still standing. WGN caught this near Wrigley and the crowds were big but there was no real substantial incidents or arrests. To the victors go the spoils but how long is that really going to last? Chicago will eventually have to face the offseason like everyone else and that includes the near impossible task of trying to fit as much of the team under the salary cap as humanly possible. As you can see by NHLNumbers, these figures do not lie and they almost seem to multiply.
Obviously Chicago is not the only team in salary cap purgatory. Boston, Philly, San Jose, the NY Rangers, and several other teams are going to have some pretty decent migraines come the summer trying to add and subtract then fit under the new cap which is expected to be between 58 and 59 million (keep hearing 58.8). Even teams like Washington and Montreal (with 11 UFA’s) face some very interesting decisions in the summer. With the NHL Draft just days before the Free Agent Frenzy, expect some rights to be traded and maybe an offer sheet tossed about. Oh and of course, a slew of draft weekend trades that will rival the NHL Trade Deadline. Will Tomas Kaberle finally be moved? We keep hearing yes but until I see it, I no believe it.
This is all despite the fact that the FA pool is probably not all that deep as far as quality. After guys like Kovalchuk and Marleau, there is some pretty good talent but nothing that screams “Oh WOW! That’s a low price!”. Sorry Staples guy! I am waiting to hear the other guy go I KNOW but that is not going to happen here. Like I have said before when a guy like Paul Martin is highly ranked in any UFA primer, you know the hockey FA world is in some trouble. Hell even Sergei Gonchar is in a lot of Top 10’s. Yes Gonchar is valuable but his best years are behind him some.
The rosters are going to go under some kind of major upheaval in several cities. But just think in four months, we will all be back at this again…when the games count. There will be no Olympic Schedule to drive us nuts either. There will be no condensed schedule and hey there will even be an All Star Game. Sure there will be two “Winter Classics” but the most important thing is probably a normal schedule next season except for that whole “Eurotrip” thing. Last night will become a gradually fading memory for most but for Chicago fans last night will last a liftetime. Who knows if it will be another 49 years before they see the Cup again that up close and personal.
Either way, maybe this summer’s offseason will be a little less hectic than last year’s. Besides we do not have the circus to worry about in Tampa Bay. Two summers of that made most any writer’s head spin in ways never thought possible. Maybe late July and August will be a bit restful for a change. Maybe it will be a time to reflect on everything and look ahead towards training camps and the such. Fantasy Hockey people will be feverishly looking for players to fill their leagues. Articles will be written. Really there is no such thing as an offseason anymore. It is sort of a “less active” season.
Hopefully everyone finds that time to relax in whatever way that makes them the most happy. Au revoir NHL season and allo to the “more relaxing season” or something like that. Up later….the turkeys make a curtain call!
