The Bruins have sent down Vladimir Sobotka, which makes sense because he is a prospect who needs to play.

Scott Walker has been activated off the IR. It will be interesting to see how this impacts the ice times of Samsonov, Ruutu and Eaves.

Martin Gelinas has signed to play in the Swiss League. 

Teams could have snagged Michel Ouellet via re-entry waivers and they passed. It would have meant paying him just $650,000, so it shows how far his stock has fallen. He is leading Manitoba in scoring right now, but will suit up for the Canucks. Watch him – he's streaky.
 

Breaking News: Martin Brodeur is out for four months. He will undergo surgery to repair the distal bicep in the left elbow. Jump on Weekes right now!
 

Interested in joining the DobberHockey team? We are accepting auditions for Notch's weekly Saturday Picks column, as he can no longer do it. If you pick winners regularly, check out this thread for details . 

Brian McCabe is hoping to return to the FLA lineup Thursday. He hasn't played since the first game.

Three of Oscar Moller's four goals have been on the PP.

Marian Gaborik will miss at least the next three contests with his groin injury. They say it's lower body still, but we all know it's groin.

Brent Burns did not practice yesterday. He may not play tonight with his upper body injury still bothering him.

Max Afinogenov has zero goals in 12 games this year.

Remember – last year Niklas Backstrom had fewer than 10 points in his first 21 games. He'll come around. He has four in 10 right now.

Interesting – Dallas has signed Mark Parrish to a one-year deal. Initially – this will hurt Fabian Brunnstrom's ice time. It's a two-way deal though, so I would expect him to eventually be sent to the minors barring some big-time play. 

Jochen Hecht (broken finger) will be back Friday.

With three more points last night, Patrick Sharp makes the perfect 'sell high' candidate. I love his chances to top last year's career high and he should top 70, but his 109-point pace is ridiculous!

Ryan Miller now has back-to- back shutouts after last night's 24 saves.

Craig Rivet (knee) returned to the BUF lineup last night.

Interesting how the NHL named three "first stars" last week – Getzlaf, Selanne and Perry. The trio combined for 28 points in four games.

RJ Umberger, one of the streakier players in the league, is heating up. He is on a three-game point streak and has four points in that span.

Derick Brassard missed last night's game with the flu

Rostislav Klesla missed last night's contest because of a wrist injury. 

Erik Ersberg will get the start tonight for Los Angeles.

The Kings have sent Matt Moulson down to Manchester.

Derek Dorsett, who had been playing well and was showing signs of being this year's Carcillo, has been sent down to Syracuse. The Jackets have activated Fredrik Modin from IR and had to make room.

The Wild have placed Owen Nolan on IR and have recalled Krys Kolanos.

Anssi Salmela played 19 minutes last night – nearly 10 on the power play – yet was pointless and minus-1. He had a team high four shots on goal, plus three more attempts blocked.

Phoenix has traded Drew Fata to Ottawa for Nikulin. They may give Nikulin a look this year – they pretty much have to, actually, given his KHL threat. Still, I wouldn't expect much in the way of offense from him in the NHL this year.