Paul Stastny underwent an appendectomy today. Things like this only happen "suddenly", so you couldn't see this one coming. Just plain bad luck. He is gone for two-three weeks. TJ Hensick has been recalled and I think he and Ty Arnason could be co-No.1 centers. Now is the time that these two guys will produce.

Patrick Sharp signed a big four-year contract extenstion. Sharp is on pace for 65 points and I think he will end up there. I also think that he will pretty much peak there. However, this contract tells me of the hawks' confidence in him and therefore I would expect that he will be pretty steady at 60 to 70 points throughout his career. 

Mark Bell underwent surgery on his face and will be out for eight weeks. This is of no fantasy signifcance although I haven't given up on him completely yet. He needs a fresh start – right from camp – and he needs 80 games on a team that gives him second-line minutes. Then I think he can post 55 points and lots of PIMs. 

Kimmo Timonen had a goal and two assists in the Flyers’ win over the Capitals on Sunday and he repeated that performance with a goal and two assists in Philadelphia’s 5-3 win over the Panthers on Wednesday. Timonen is the first Flyers defenseman to score at least three points in each of two consecutive team games since Garry Galley did that on Jan. 23-24, 1993.

Boyd Gordon is the new second line center in Washington. I still don't believe he holds any fantasy value, however, unless you need a 40-point guy.

Chris Clark (groin) and Brian Pothier (concussion) will not play tonight.

Radim Vrbata (groin) will miss tonight's game and is considered day to day. 

Joffrey Lupul has been cleared for no-contact practice. He is at least three weeks away from a return.

MA Fleury has been practicing in full equipment, but his ankle still won't allow him to bounce up and down like he needs to. He is still two to four weeks away from a return, and they will take their time with him because Conklin is doing so great.

Everyone's favorite rumor-monger, Bruce Garrioch from out of Ottawa, writes that his sources are saying Bryan Murray will be right on the phone as soon as he hears Marian Hossa is on the block.

Josh Harding tweaked his groin during warmup last night and Backstrom was the last minute starter as a result. Harding is not expected to miss time, but keep an eye on the situation. 

Manny Legace left the game last night after suffering a 'bruise' in a collision with Patrick Sharp. Marek Schwarz came in and allowed five goals on 13 shots. Legace is expected to start on Saturday.

Chris Campoli left last night's contest with a shoulder injury late in the first period. It is unknown the extent of the damage.

Dustin Byfuglien snapped out of a two points in 12 games funk with a three-point night yesterday. Of course, I dropped him in the expert league earlier in the day after seeing his ice time drop and zero penalty minutes. He played 20 minutes last night. Difficult to say if that's the ice time to expect for the next few games, as this outburst came out of nowhere.

Kris Versteeg left last night's contest with a bruised shoulder. He'll be on the shelf for the next two games at least.

Patrick Lalime has won two games in a row and will get the start again Friday.

Jack Skille had his second two-point effort in five games last night.

Atlanta assigned Jim Slater to Chicago of the AHL for conditioning.

LA assigned Peter Harrold back to Manchester before he could get into a game. He is an offensive defenseman to watch.

The Islanders sent Jeff Tambellini back to Bridgeport.

The Senators sent Ilya Zubov to Binghamton.

The Canucks sent Rick Rypien and Mike Brown to Manitoba and recalled Mason Raymond. He had three points in three AHL games during his brief span there.
Fredrik Modin could return to the Columbus lineup tonight. He will be a gametime decision, but he is getting closer.

Nik Antropov left Tuesday's contest after blocking a shot with his foot. X-rays were negative, but he is questionable for tonight's contest.

Some time over the next 12 hours, the site will be down. Probably twice and probably for a couple of hours. I will know about the time as it approaches. The forum may be down even longer. But it is just as I change hosts. Once I change hosts, the site will be more reliable. Changes should be finalized by this afternoon. There is a tiny chance that you may lose a post or two in the forum, but we will try to avoid that.