Free agency: my least favourite time of the year. Since joining the NHL equivalent of the Ducks, Charlie and I have watched teammates come in and out each year. It always tends to hurt more the longer someone's been on the team. Last time I was on the free agency market was 6 years ago - naturally, I got a pretty decent extension. This year, I'm back on the market. I'm not worried - Charlie and I are founding members and we've done so much for the organisation.
An upside to the off-season is finally having some downtime. Sure, you have to train, but it's not as intense - at least at the start. Every year, Charlie, Russ (who is a commentator for the Ducks) and I spend the first couple of weeks at one of our places (it alternates every year). This year, I'm hosting.
It's about a week into this tradition and there's been a lot going on - we've already lost a couple of guys. Just the other day, Charlie re-signed for another 8 years at 9 million a year. Who's the cake-eater now? I should be doing the same thing any day now - just maybe not quite as much money.
So far, we've had many pool parties as a trip because it's hard to get the other original Ducks here. Movie nights in my cinema room, a concert after Charlie signed his contract, rollercoasters on day 1, golf - more mini golf because we can't take it seriously like other players. We also did a couple of shifts in the drive thru of our local In-N-Out (another tradition). It brings in a lot of customers and it's great meeting everyone.
Today has been one of the more chilled out days - probably because we're still recovering from the concert. We went out to lunch and ran into a group of fans, which was probably the most eventful part of the day. Since getting home, we've played some games, watched a movie and ordered in takeout for dinner - not sticking to our usual hockey diets. Music plays quietly as we chat and eat, sitting on couches and armchairs alike.
"Who's getting off-season tattoos?" Charlie questions in a lighthearted tone.
"Half the team." I joke and take a swig of my beer. "Including me."
"Man, your artists gotta make big bucks from hockey players." Russ recalls how a large amount of players get tattoos when their season is over because there's actually time for it to heal.
"Nobody makes more money from hockey players than dentists." Charlie laughs.
"Amen." We all chuckle as cheers our glasses.
"Hey, what time do we need to be at Paul's place tomorrow?" I ask.
"Uh, 9, I think." Charlie answers with uncertainty. "I'll text him."
"What's this now?" Russ has clearly forgotten about his obligations.
"We've got to record something for one of the team podcasts at Paul's studio, remember?" I remind him.
"Oh, that." It clicks.
"Yeah, it is 9." Charlie confirms as he looks up from his phone.
"Why can't it he at a reasonable time?" I complain.
"Blame Frenchie, he's got a key to the studio."
"And we all know that Paul will be surfing way before 9." Russ sums up the retired superstar.
We continue chatting and going on too many tangents to count - it's probably the only reason we haven't inhaled the food and choked. A few minutes pass by before my phone starts ringing and interrupts the conversation. I get Russ to cut the music as I read the contact name. This is the call I've been waiting for.
"Hey, Pat." I greet the Ducks GM as the others watch on in anticipation.
"Hey, Y/N, how're you doing?"
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The Mighty Ducks Imagines
FanfictionI may be late to the Ducks, but its better late than never. Enjoy the imagines that keep me occupied and distracted from reality. There's a lot of Fulton stuff.
