GREGSKY'S FREE AGENT FRENZY PREDICTION GAME

   As we approach the start of the free agent period on Sunday, I thought it would be fun to take a look into the crystal ball and use my amazing “Kreskin-like” abilities as a prognosticator to see just where some of the top free agents will be landing.

*DISCLAIMER* - Keep in mind that this exercise is intended for entertainment only. That means it is purely for fun and should not be used as a guide or strategy for any gambling purpose or money making endeavor. Especially since all predictions are made from someone suffering a coffee induced haze and all thoughts within are channeled through the brain of someone so hyped up on caffeine he can feel his hair growing.

Now on to the fun…

Ahh…yes…the picture is becoming clear…I see Alex Semin skating alongside Pavel Datsyuk…yes so it shall be…Semin becomes a Red Wing.

Hmmm…the crystal ball is still seeing red…it seems that the Wings are not done dipping into the pool…WOW!!! …what a splash!!! The Red Wings sign Ryan Suter!!!

Now I see that the Avs want to get in on the act…they snap up Juri Hudler in a quick move

What’s this? It seems that Sami Salo is now a Penguin…the crystal ball has shown this to be so

The Dallas stars so it seems…yes…it is the Stars pulling P.A. Parenteau from the pool

Uh-oh…so many tears…what can this possibly mean? Oh I see it clearly now…Zach stays a Devil

Oh my…say it’s not so…well it must be…the crystal ball wouldn’t steer me wrong…would it? It is telling me that Shane Doan is now in a Dallas Stars sweater!!!

Good news for Leafs Nation…Matt Carle signs with Toronto!!!

Looks like Ray Whitney is putting on a familiar sweater…nothing could be finer than to be in Carolina!!!

My crystal ball is showing me an old goat…what can this mean? Oh…I see it now…Jagr re-ups with Philly

The Avs are getting back into the fray…well…look at that…they sign Dustin Penner

Okay crystal ball…you have shown some interesting UFA signings…but can you show me any trades?

Yes…that’s it…well it’s a little fuzzy…can’t see the returns…but it looks like Rick Nash is wearing a Sens sweater…wait…something else is coming through…Luongo going back to the Panthers…wow…what’s this? …one more? …oh…okay…it looks like Bobby Ryan in a Rangers sweater

Well…the crystal ball has gone dark…I guess that’s as much “frenzy” as it is willing to show. I guess we will just have to wait and see how accurate these predictions come Sunday…here’s hoping your team snags everyone on your wish list.

GREGSKY'S RANDOM THOUGHTS

   Because my brain is scattered due to the amount of coffee I’m pouring down my gullet I guess now is a good time to revisit an old staple in GREGSKY’S RANDOM THOUGHTS…

Okay Kings…let’s not get the FBI involved in the search for the missing Stanley Cup winning puck…please

Will Sidney Crosby still be an elite player in the final years of that new contract extension or will he spend those years drooling in his oatmeal thinking how great it is to be Batman?

Just a thought…maybe Tim Thomas is a better fit in Toronto than Roberto Luongo…we all know how B.B. loves those American players

Justin Schultz better be as good as he thinks he is…I guess offer sheets isn’t the only loophole that needs closing in this next round of CBA talks…just sayin’

Who’s a better fit in Boston to round out the forward corps…Ray Whitney or Shane Doan?

Who’s a better fit in Carolina to round out the forward corps…Ray Whitney or Shane Doan?

Here’s hoping that Jonathan Quick isn’t the new Rick DiPietro

Here’s hoping that Cory Schneider isn’t the new Andrew Raycroft

Brad Richards posing nude…is that really necessary Brad? Really?? …’nuff said moving on

Sitting here wondering if Sunday will bring us a “frenzy” or a flop

Given the situation both teams are in…a deal highlighting swapping Nash for Ryan would be ideal…given that the Ducks aren’t on “Nash’s list” makes it improbable…so when the ransom for Nash weakens and he finally moves on…so should Howson

I love this year’s HOF class…so much talent…so many memories…so deserved

Best of luck to Adam Oates and Kirk Muller in their first full years at the helm…the Southeast will be fun to watch…can’t wait

Sitting here wondering if anyone will pick the Sharks…again

I love what you’re doing in St. Louis…keep it up

Sweet Lou will find a way to keep Zach in a Devils sweater…it’s a perfect fit

THE MEANING OF LIFE, THE UNIVERSE AND EVERYTHING...FOR LEAFS NATION

   Don’t panic.

  No, this isn’t the beginning of “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” rather a couple friendly words of advice to all of die-hard “Leafs Nation”. I know you’ve heard those two little words before many, many times in the past. Completely understood is the fact that the prospect of facing yet another year of underachieving mediocrity when you were promised “truculence” would most definitely send even the most optimistic of fans into sheer panic mode. But try not to panic, not just yet.

   Don’t get me wrong though, it sure won’t be easy for Brian Burke to right the ship especially the way it is listing at the present time, but he does deserve one more chance. Unfortunately for Burke, this may be his last chance to do so. This is Toronto we are talking about where every single move is scrutinized to death and where the local media has no problem calling out anything it deems moronic regardless if it is or not. Since his arrival, Burke has been hammered over everything from bringing on board the wrong coach with the wrong system to selling the farm for…Gasp!!!...Americans. Not that any of that matters at all to Mr. Burke as he makes quite clear his disdain for those who criticize his actions in a most entertaining way. You have to give him credit in that aspect at the very least. Everyone likes a guy who is willing stick to his guns and “Burkie” is that kind of guy. Besides, you have to admit that your team is better today than it was under J.F. Jr., right? I mean at least scoring is up and the team is younger now. Okay, so the back end leaves a lot to be desired and the goaltending situation is in need of a serious upgrade, but rest assured that fact isn’t lost on Burke. He above anyone else knows that the defensive side of his roster has more gaps in it than Dustin Brown’s smile and it needs to be addressed this offseason.

   The pressure is definitely on for Burke to at the very least make this club a playoff contender and back up the promises he made coming in. However, if you look closely at what he has already done and how he has set the table going forward you’ll see there is a method to his madness. Given the uncertainty of how the next CBA will pan out, wisely Burke has positioned the franchise to be able to pick and choose how it fleshes out the roster under the new agreement. With seven forwards due to become UFA’s in 2013/2014 tremendous amounts of flexibility is in the hands of management due to Burke not handcuffing the franchise with overpriced long term contracts. As long as he shores up the back end this year and there is no doubt that he will your beloved Leafs will be poised to come roaring back into relevance thanks to Burke and his colorful yet crafty way of conducting business. I only hope that he will be allowed to be around to enjoy the fruits of his labor.

   So relax Leafs fans, the universe is not coming to an end…don’t panic.

CAROLINA DRAMA...OR...COOL YOUR ENGINE BEFORE IT STAALS

   You know, it’s funny how life takes us on a journey of twists and turns. Such is the case for me, as I find myself newly relocated in North Carolina less than ten minutes from the PNC Arena in the heart of “Cainiac” country. What is funny is that I grew up spending the majority of my weekends following this franchise when they were known as the “Whale” in downtown Hartford, Connecticut. Remembering how awesome it was to see the Howe family skate together on the same team. It almost seems fitting that this is where I find myself being that I never truly took my eye off of this team even after they packed up and headed South. A part of me was even quite pleased when the raised the Cup back in 2006 as I had waited what seemed to be a lifetime to see this franchise win a championship.

   With all of that said, I have started to settle in here in this beautiful part of the country familiarizing myself with my new surroundings and checking the pulse of this “Southern Fried” hockey fan base. I have to say that the heartbeat is strong and very passionate, so the term “Cainiac” is quite appropriate. Although the fan base may not be as well schooled as some traditional hockey markets, the fire, passion and support these fans feel for their Hurricanes rivals that of any NHL city. That fact is extremely apparent just by giving a quick glance into the chat rooms, message boards or any social network platforms where hockey talk dominates. Even more apparent as of now, due to the latest Draft Day drama that took place the other night in Pittsburgh. Where we saw possibly the biggest trades of the off-season instantly send shockwaves through this sleepy southern community as well as the rest of the hockey world.

   The rumors had been swirling for days leading up to the draft as the writing was on the wall and it was no secret that something had to give in regards to the situation Jordan Staal and the Penguins found themselves in.  Also well known was the desire of the Carolina Hurricanes to add Staal to their roster, but at what cost? Therein lay the drama that has caused “Cainiac’s” worldwide hearts to racing either with excitement or disbelief. The cost of landing Jordan Staal in a Hurricanes sweater alongside his brother Eric was indeed quite steep as the price was the number eight pick in this year’s draft, young gun Brandon Sutter and former B.C. Eagle d-man prospect Brian Dumoulin.

   As the dust starts to settle and the reality of the deal starts to sink in, reaction is a mixed bag of emotions for Hurricanes fans. Some applauding Mr. Rutherford for doing whatever it took to land the star forward, some calling for his head for giving up so much for a player who could end up being no more than a one year rental along with some who just don’t know what to make of the entire situation but are happy that the team is doing something active be it good or bad as well as those who think the franchise is doomed. I can understand the mixed feelings amongst the hometown fans as losing an opportunity at drafting another top ten prospect for the future along with a standout such as Sutter is an awful lot of sacrifice, but on the other hand Jordan Staal, who won’t turn 24 until September, brings a ton of upside to a Hurricanes roster for years to come if they can entice him to sign long term. What I believe brings the most anxiety to Canes fans is if Rutherford could have waited a bit longer he just might have been in a position to obtain Staal without having to part with Sutter. The problem with him waiting until Jordan became an UFA next year is the same lack of guarantee that he would come to Carolina as it is whether or not they can sign him. The plus to that is at least now they have a year with him as a Hurricane to get that accomplished which is the better of the two scenarios.

   So my “Cainiac” friends, before you throw yourself into the eye of the storm or call for J.R.’s head on a platter or give up completely on hockey before the season even starts, try to see how this move actually makes your team stronger. How the move actually puts them in a good position to be active in pursuing and enticing bigger name free agents to head south and enjoy what we all already know to be a wonderful place to hang our skates.