It is pretty funny actually. My job may seem quite different from the norm, but at the end of the day it is actually just a matter of terminology. For me, the Stanley Cup Final is one of three yearly conventions I attend for my business. For the All-Star Game, The Draft, and the The Final I get to meet up with like minded businessmen three times a year. The major upside is we don't talk quarterly reports. We talk hockey.
It is always a blast to get to hang out with so many hockey reporters whom I respect and read all year long.
Feeling a bit reflective this morning I do have to admit that life doesn't get much better than this year for a guy like me. The Olympics were the experience of a lifetime, and now the team I grew up watching is in the Cup Final and I am getting to cover it. Either of these experiences would have been enough to make this year my favorite. The fact that both happened a few months apart is just unreal to me.
I love Chicago, but I must admit, part of me can't wait until this convention comes to my town. I am looking into hosting a get together/party in Philly for my writer and NHL friends.
Anyway, even though my mind is very into this Final, I also never forget that for 28 other team fan bases you are in rumor mode with the draft and July 1 only about a month away...So I am spending probably about 70% of my time and energies on the Rumor Mill.
Here are some quick hits and adjustments I have made to the Chart...
* There are some who feel Jaroslav Halak may actually be the goalie to move out in Montreal. I have heard some varying reports on this, but I am actually surprised how many people have told me this.
* The Kovalchuk sweeps are getting hazier and hazier. For the longest time the Kings have been considered the most likely team. Now I am hearing more and more of the Blues, Canucks, and the Canadiens. One source added that "Plekanec will not be brought back because they are going after Kovalchuk."
* The Kings may actually be turning their eyes towards Patrick Marleau. It is mostly speculative at this point, but one source brought it up to me yesterday and after making a few calls I was a bit surprised to find more to it.
* The Capitals are very serious about Volchenkov. The loss to Montreal showed the need for a shot blocker.
* One of the teams in the Final is scouting a possible signing of a player on the other team. Pretty funny, but we are close to that time.
More to come...
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