Just so surreal to be going to both locker rooms today here in Tampa, but you have to catch up with folks when you see them.
Got a chance to talk with Mike Smith, Jeff Halpern and Jussi Jokinen in the Bolts' room. All are doing pretty well, and all are looking forward to playing their old mates tonight. I'm really curious to see Smitty and Marty Turco across from each other. For Halpern, I'm sure this has all been different. The guy spent his entire life in the Washington D.C. area, played for the Capitals, thought long and hard before signing with the Stars because he wanted to win the big one, and then gets traded to Tampa. Just takes us all back to that day last February, when the Stars' traded boys were in shock at what had transpired.
As far as Jussi... who wants to bet this game goes to a shootout this evening? Obviously the Stars have loved going past regulation lately, and it would just seem so appropriate to see Jokinen back out there for one. We'll see.
Brad Richards, not surprisingly, was holding court with the Tampa/St. Pete media this morning after the Stars' skate. I'm expecting him to get his share of applause at introductions tonight. There's no doubt how much he's still loved down here.
OK, kids, I'm hitting the trail. See ya tonight.
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