March 13, 2008

 

The hot run is over, Ryan Shannon is now pointless in three games. Time to drop him in roto leagues – he was a valuable depth winger for awhile there and he will be again, but I see a prolonged slump now as his ice time is cut. 

 

Martin Havlat is officially done for the season. He will undergo shoulder surgery today and will need four months to recuperate.

 

Nikolai Khabibulin is expected to practice today and hopes to start next Wednesday.

 

Ryan Smyth is a late-afternoon decision as the doctors need to clear him to play tonight.

 

Peter Forsberg is doubtful for tonight's game…but will be a gametime decision.

 

Dominik Hasek hurt his back in practice Wednesday and will not be able to start tonight. He is expected to start Saturday – but I wouldn't count on that. Jimmy Howard has been recalled.

 

Mats Sundin pulled his groin last night and left the game. He expects that he will play on Saturday.

 

Dallas goalie prospect Tobias Stephen signed a one-year extension that is a two-way contract. I think he could have negotiated a one-way contract, given his competition is Holmqvist… but anyway, as a result of this it is unlikely that he will be a backup in the NHL next year.

 

Chris Conner also signed a one-year two-way pact. He is another one who should have made it one-way. At 24, he's old enough to start pushing harder for a full-time NHL job.

 

Dallas prospect Sergei Korostin was signed to a three-year entry-level contract. He is ranked 228 on my prospects list, but he is the Dallas prospect with the most offensive upside in their system. He is a good four years away, though, which is why his ranking is so low.

 

Joffrey Lupul was back in the Philly lineup and played 16:12 last night. He played with Thoresen and Upshall.

 

How does Philadelphia keep losing to Toronto? Flyers' fans – do you know how bad a team the Leafs are? This is a testament to the coaching of Paul Maurice and the goaltending of Vesa Toskala.

 

Steve Bernier was back in the Buffalo lineup and played 16:19 and notched an assist.

 

Nathan Paetsch left last night's contest with a concussion. He will be out for at least a week, likely closer to three.

 

As I warned you yesterday afternoon, Crosby did not play last night. His ankle was sore and since they don't play until Sunday he felt that it would be best to rest it. The team won 7-3 without him, and Malkin only had one point.

 

Rick Nash was named Columbus team captain now that Foote is gone. Very deserving.

 

Three more points for Eric Staal last night, 12 in his last five games and 18 in his last 10.

 

Martin Gerber will get his seventh consecutive start tonight.

 

Daniel Carcillo will be back in the lineup tonight.

 

The Rangers signed undrafted 20-year-old UFA Justin Soryal. He has 37 points and 140 PIMs in 56 OHL games for Peterborough this year. From what I gather, he appears to be more fighter than agitator.