Preparing for the Post-Olympic Frenzy

NHL hockey fans across the USA and Canada are well into a weeks worth of Olympic hockey. There's still plenty more to go in what may be known as some of the greatest hockey games in recent memory. This also means that these same fans are sitting and watching their beloved superstars and itching to return to NHL action.

Furthermore, that same wait time is in effect for the NHL General Managers, who cannot make trades until the NHL trade freeze is lifted following the conclusion of the Olympics. GM’s can talk all they want, but can’t submit a single thing to the league until the clock strikes 12 midnight on March 1st.

I can only imagine what the GM’s are going through right now, because it simply has all NHL fans at the edge of their seat. They might be watching Olympic hockey, but all are wondering where certain players are going to end up as a result of the tight 65-hour window following the Olympics. The anxiety is surely building.

If you’re a Maple Leafs fan, you're wondering if the reports are true of Tomas Kaberle possibly sticking around in Vancouver a little longer then anticipated prior to the Olympics starting.

If you’re an Oilers fan, you’re preparing your goodbyes to maybe a half a dozen players, or more?

Florida Panthers fans are just starting to digest the letter sent from the Panthers ownership group. I think it’s fair to say, this ownership group is refreshingly honest and seems to have a real plan in place now. However, was this letter intended to prepare the Panther fans for a shocking Stephen Weiss or Nathan Horton trade?

Pittsburgh Penguins General Manager Ray Shero’s had the green light from owners Ron Burkle and Mario Lemieux to max out on the salary cap. He has done just that, and has a Stanley Cup ring to show for it. However, the Penguins need a shut-down defenseman and a winger for Evgeni Malkin, but first need a partner to help them clear some room. Who leaves Pittsburgh mid next week for cap purposes? Who is on Ray Shero’s radar? Penguin fans are beyond anxious and ready to find out.

Rumor mills are beginning to explode, reporting every single time two GM’s are seen together sipping coffee in Vancouver. These websites are having an effect apparently, because it has people debating feverishly on team message boards. Some of the most off-the-wall deals are being mentioned as potentially taking place when the freeze is lifted. Funny thing is though, there might actually be legs to some of them. It leaves a handful of people really itching for that 65-hour window to start.

The best way to go about this is to sit back and enjoy what’s about to take place in Vancouver. Herb Brooks is surely looking down and asking everyone to do the same. I can promise you an incredible ending to what has been an outstanding Olympics for NHL and KHL players.

Following that, we will get our answers to so many questions around the National Hockey League in a very short period of time. Deals are going to happen as soon as Monday March 1st.

All of that being said, rumor mills don’t have much longer to entertain the NHL fan base. Fans themselves can start the count down. Big ticket players around the league will need to hurry back from Vancouver to start packing. It’s going to get crazy, and I don’t know about you, but I am looking forward to the breaking news to start coming through.

Enjoy the rest of the Olympics, and may the NHL General Managers bring you what you wish for.

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