It’s been a long summer. If you’re a hockey fan anyway.

The off-season can feel like two parts. The first is like a bolt of lightning before a storm. That describes the beginning of free agency. In one word, chaotic.

The second is more like a long journey with nothing but peace and quiet. Think being at an isolated park or beach where people are fishing. We have such a cool place not far from here that I frequent.

Most of the big moves have been made. We’ve seen players move as usually happens. None bigger than Erik Karlsson, who will wear his trademark number 65 in a Penguins jersey. That’ll take some getting used to. Especially for division rivals.

There was the Vladimir Tarasenko never-ending saga. First, he was signing with the Hurricanes. Then, the change in agents. Then, nothing but crickets. Finally, he landed in Ottawa to offset the departure of Alex DeBrincat, who chose to go home to Detroit.

The Devils were quite busy early. Tom Fitzgerald got both Jesper Bratt and Timo Meier re-signed to long-term contracts. It’ll be interesting to see what a full season of having Meier with Jack Hughes presents. You should also see the younger brother, Luke Hughes, patrolling the blue line following the departure of Ryan Graves (Pens) and Damon Severson (Blue Jackets).

It’ll still come down to the tandem of Vitek Vanecek and promising youngster Akira Schmid, who played the first round hero in the Devs’ seven-game series win over the Hudson rival Rangers.

Speaking of the Rangers, they couldn’t break the bank on anyone. Instead, Chris Drury brought in savvy vets Blake Wheeler, Nick Bonino, Tyler Pitlick, and Erik Gustafsson. He replaced Jaroslav Halak with former Conn Smythe winner Jonathan Quick, who’ll look strange wearing the Broadway Blueshirt after helping defeat them a decade ago as an LA King.

After getting K’Andre Miller signed to a two-year deal, Drury still has to re-sign restricted free agent Alexis Lafreniere. The former top pick has no leverage. He’s yet to live up to lofty expectations. That’s partially due to how he’s been used. Former bench boss Gerard Gallant rarely gave Lafreniere any top six or power play duty due to established stars, Artemi Panarin, Chris Kreider, Mika Zibanejad, and Adam Fox.

If the 2023-24 Rangers are to be successful, it’ll come down to new coach Peter Laviolette having more trust in Lafreniere, Filip Chytil, and Kaapo Kakko. Of course, it must be earned. However, they must have better defined roles.

They’ll look to help provide stronger support for Igor Shesterkin, who can’t carry them alone. He’ll need better defense, including improved back checking from forwards and stronger communication.

While they’ll wait until the very last minute to sign Lafreniere, the Rangers will have to contend with the improved Pens, who should have a better regular season. If the Hurricanes and Devils are the class of the Metropolitan Division, then the Rangers and Pens should be next in line competing for a top three spot.

Sidney Crosby remains the face of a rivalry that dates back to the 90’s. The ageless wonder turned 36. He’s still among the game’s elite. What if he didn’t miss so many games due to injuries? Crosby would be a lock for 2,000 points. He’s totaled 1502 in 1190 games.

The Lightning might’ve subtracted key Stanley Cup contributor Alex Killorn to Anaheim. But they locked up key forward Brandon Hagel. He signed an eight-year contract extension that’ll pay him an average of $6.5 million per cap hit starting in 2024-25.

That’s a hefty raise for a good player. Acquired from the Blackhawks over a year ago, Hagel set personal bests in goals (30), assists (34), and points (64). He also scored a career high seven power play goals and was a fixture on the penalty kill.

Is he worth it? It might be a slight overpay. But Hagel is turning 25 this weekend. It’s wiser to pay a younger player who’s on the upswing than overpay an aging veteran who could see a decline. I like the investment.

I’m curious to see how the Bruins will do without Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci. Boston fans were spoiled for over a decade with two superb centers, who played the game the right way. I’ll miss Bergeron, who one day should have the Selke named after him. Krejci often got overlooked. But he was a smart, play-making pivot who made teammates better.

If they get the goaltending again from dynamic duo Linus Ullmark and Jeremy Swayman, they should still be formidable. They feature the game’s premier power forward in David “Pasta” Pastrnak. Brad Marchand is expected to take over as captain. He isn’t getting any younger. However, the Rat, as he’s affectionately known, still has something left. Boasting one of the game’s best defensemen in Charlie McAvoy should help.

We’ll see how coach Jim Montgomery handles a lineup that also lost Taylor Hall (Blackhawks), Nick Foligno (Blackhawks), Tyler Bertuzzi (Leafs), Garnet Hathaway (Flyers), and Dmitry Orlov (Canes). Undoubtedly, Charlie Coyle and Pavel Zacha will be asked to play bigger roles moving forward. They still have a solid foundation.

It wouldn’t be the summer without some cruel jokes. Enter NJDevil00, who owned poor Zibanejesus in an epic reply.

That’s what makes the rivalry fun. A little ribbing between rivals can bring laughs even when it stings. I say, let’s beat them when it counts.

Finally, we’re still waiting on Connor Hellebuyck and John Gibson. It isn’t easy to move goalies. We’ll see what transpires with Hellebuyck, who’s a former Vezina winner that wants no part of a Jets’ rebuild. As for Gibson, what value does he have?

Are the Flames ever gonna trade some of their big names? Stay tuned.

That’ll do it for now. Pretty soon, prospect tournaments will be in full swing. Training camps will follow. There’s still some time left. Enjoy it.