Now that the 2008-2009 NHL has come to a close, it's time to migrate over to a new thread. This will be the official 2009 NHL Off-Season thread.

Congratulations to the Pittsburgh Penguins who are 2009 NHL Stanley Cup Champions.

But now it is time to look forward and see what changes are in store for our league and our respective favorite teams.

Things to look forward too this offseason

• NHL 2009 Draft held in Montreal during June 26–27, 2009 (New York Islanders have the #1 pick as of now)
• The NHL Off-Season Free-Agency madness (The Swedish Twins, Hossa, etc....)

Headline - "Hossa signs one year deal to the Penguins for better chance at stanley cup championship"

Was wondering when someone would state something like that...mentioned him for that purpose. Oh Hossa, wonderfull for endless critisism .

To quote the Yahoo Puck Daddy Blog from the Red Wings Eulogy -

"Marian went chasing a Cup last summer like a drunken cougar at a wedding, only to watch his beloved run off with the best friend who he'd knocked out of the way for the bouquet. Hossa's playoff performance reminded me of myself and my method for meeting women. Basically stand around and hopefully someone else will do the work for you, and you can just pick up the prize."

This draft could end up being something special, with rumors flying around about Pronger, and Heatley. LA has been linked to both names, and I really think they're going to do a lot during the draft and free agency. They might even trade the 5th overall, or Johnson. If they could sign a good goalie (or if Quick/Ersberg/Bernier progress quickly), they could be favourites for next year.

Anyone else going to watch the draft? I usually watch it (at least most of the first round) just for the trades. I hate Bettman being up there though........I hate seeing his face every few minutes. And hearing his voice.......it's annoying to me. When the draft was here a couple years ago, everyone was booing him. That was pretty awesome.

I'd be dissapointed if he wasn't booed. San Jose has been linked/named in the Heatley trade rumors, i don't know why (we would obviously have to give up a bit to still fit under the cap). I'll have the draft on in the background if i'm not working that day

I've seen Heatley for Marleau and a draft pick bandied about (the draft pick since Marleau is a UFA after next season). But, in this day and age, it's not often that you see a captain traded. Last one I can think of off the top of my head is Jason Smith (summer of 07?) and even then he had become a much slower player then (although, still quite gritty). Marleau's play hasn't deteriorated, but perhaps they're looking to change the culture in the locker room?

Hossa will re sign with the Wings, don't worry. As for watching the draft, no way, that is like the most boring thing to watch ever, especially the NFL draft.

Good if Hossa re-signs...........they'll have the "Hossa curse."

And you sir disappoint me regarding the draft. It's quite exciting at times (at least the first round).

I usually watch the top 20 in every draft, NHL, NBA, NFL, etc. After that I could care less and can see on ESPN.com.

Finally some "news" about the Sedins. Rumored to be looking for 12 year/63 million dollar contracts for each of them (cap hit 5.25M/yr). To me, the cap hit fair, but for a contract of that length, it should be cheaper, something in the neighborhood of 4.5 million/yr.

They compared themselves to Zetterberg (who signed a 12 year/73 million dollar contract for a cap hit a touch over 6 million, when he could have easily gotten 7 million on a shorter term contract, which would have been fair). They aren't at Zetterbergs level, and seeing as how he sacrificed money for security, I think the Sedins are in the same boat as well.

Hopefully this is just the starting point, and negotiations are still on. I'd hate to lose these 2 players. The things they do on the ice are something special.

http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=282198