So close to looking forward

So 5 games into this Stanley Cup Final, and we have been on a roller coaster ride. The first four games saw domination by the home side, but with the visitors still keeping the game interesting. But then came Game #5, and Chicago grabbed this series by the balls. Pronger had his worst game of his career (literally though), Leighton looks like he is out to lunch, and Chicago's big men have woken up. Kane is back, Byufglien is in Prongers' head (yeah, I said it), and even though he only had an assist, Toews has his jump back. As much as I don't want Chicago to win a cup on the road, Philly let Chicago up off the mat.

Series over.

As the Finals come to an end we look forward to what will be a very interesting off season. Here is what we are looking forward to:

- Let's start with the draft: Taylor Hall or Tyler Seguin? Who will go #1 (I'm picking the guy who rhymes with Tay gin)

- Speaking of the draft, what happens with Mr. Kaberle in Toronto? 3 possible ideas cross my mind. #1) New Jersey desperately wants Kaberle, too bad they have no one to send back. #2) Buffalo? Coming back is Zach Kassian and their 1st round pick (23rd overall). Rumour has Drew Stafford in that package as well. #3) Kaberle to Columbus for the #4 pick which will probably turn into Brett Connoly (hmmm interesting).

- Continuing with the Toronto trend. The other 2 questions come in the form of will Kulemin re-sign and for how much? Also, the talks about Patrick Sharp/Kris Versteeg or Bobby Ryan wearing the blue and white next season are real possibilities. Considering the Anaheim need for defence. But Bobby Ryan means that Burke makes the Leafs look like more of an American national team.

- In Montreal, Carey Price or Jaroslav Halak? Easy decision, expect Halak to get big money and Price to be dealt or see him sign a deal somewhere else. Tampa Bay, Dallas, and Philadelphia are all looking for serious #1 goaltenders. If there is ever going to be a time when Steve Yzerman can move Lecavalier's contract, this is it. Lecavalier to Montreal for Price and Gomez? I would make that deal with Halak set as #1.

- The decline of previous great teams. Baring a bounce back, The Red Wings, Devils, and Flames are all looking old and thin. Without a major re-tooling of these teams they will all end up in the cellar.

- Anton Volchenkov= Out of Ottawa to Washington. Also the Capitals aren't re-signing character guys like Joe Corvo and Scott Walker. So wait, letting go of character and paying Volchenkov $5 million a year? Sounds like another Russian type thing to do. (Prediction #1 for 2010-2011: Washington will not go deep in the playoffs.)

- There are interesting RFA's available all over the league. As you can see here:

http://www.sportscity.com/nhl/2010-nhl-restricted-free-agents-by-team/

- Biggest Question: If you are Doug Wilson, do you blow up the San Jose Sharks? Because I do! Nabokov and Marleau are UFA's and Joe Thornton will be next year. Here are my instructions to Doug Wilson: #1). Get a grenade #2.) Walk into the dressing room #3.) Pull the pin, watch it all go up in smoke, rebuild.

- The saga that is the Pheonix Coyotes and their ownership scenario. Today the group led by Jerry Reinsdorf officially pulled out of the running to own the team. Meaning only one thing, it's Ice Edge or bust when it comes to keeping the Coyotes in Arizona. The NHL supposedly also has an alternative schedule made for a team in Winnipeg, operating in the Northwest division. The Northwest is a PERFECT division to throw Winnipeg into, imagine a 5 team division with 4 Canadian teams (Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, and Winnipeg) with hockey crazy Minnesota added in? Now that's what we like to see! The move apparently moves Colorado into the Pacific with San Jose, Los Angeles, Anaheim, and Dallas. Colorado traveling to these places 20 times a year sounds a lot easier than traveling above the 48th parallel. I call a win-win for everyone. (except Pheonix and Gary Bettman)

- Finally, going forward (maybe too far forward to talk about), what does the future hold for sites like Quebec City, Hamilton/Southern Ontario, even Hartford? If it weren't for revenue sharing of the current CBA, franchises like Atlanta, Nashville, and Florida could be moving back to places once holding teams. Because let's be honest, Southern Ontario could hold more than just the Leafs. The hot bed for hockey IN THE WORLD (Sorry Quebec) could hold AT LEAST 2 NHL franchises, if not 3.

End of Year Review after the finals!