March 25, 2007

Todd Fedoruk still hasn't recovered from his head injuries. How else do you explain his stupid suggestion that enforcers wear four-ounce gloves similar to UFC fighters under their NHL gloves? 

 

Jeff O'Neill was a healthy scratch last night. The bottom has dropped out on his comeback season. 

 

Scottie Upshall and Simon Gagne returned to the Philly lineup yesterday and picked up where they left off. Upshall now has 11 points in 15 games with the Flyers.

 

Ron Hainsey has bronchitis and is doubtful for tonight for the Jackets.

 

Eric Belanger left yesterday's contest early with a leg injury.

 

Andrew Ladd has nine points in his last nine games and is starting to be relied upon a lot more. His 13 minutes yesterday is a lot more than the nine or so that he's been getting all season. 

 

Jamie Langenbrunner left Saturday's game early because of the flu.

 

Andrei Kostitsyn has seven points in his last six games and is giving me full confidence that he will be on one of the top two lines to start next season and is an excellent candidate to grab as many as 60 points in his first full campaign.

 

Jiri Hudler has two points in two games despite Bertuzzi and Cleary being back in the lineup. Cleary picked up his first point since his return from a knee injury yesterday. Bertuzzi is still trying to find his timing.

 

With Cory Stillman reunited with Erik Cole and Eric Staal, not to mention the fact that he is finally healthy, we are seeing the Stillman of old. He has three points in his last two games and makes a great dark horse for next season to hit the 75-point mark.

 

The No. 11 guy on my fantasy prospects list Petr Kalus made his NHL debut yesterday. He had six shifts and played four minutes.

 

Despite playing over 18 minutes and having over eight minutes on the power play, Chuck Kobasew was pointless again yesterday for the Bruins. My patience is wearing thin with this guy…and I don't know how Dave Lewis' patience is doing.

 

Martin Straka returned to the Rangers lineup yesterday.

 

Patrick O'Sullivan's seven game point streak came to an end yesterday. He was also a minus-2. His main weakness as a prospect is his consistency. 

 

Both Miro Satan and Richard Zednik missed yesterday's contest for personal reasons. Satan is expected back in the lineup today, while Zednik is doubtful.