Jussi Jokinen has been placed on waivers by the Lightning. A team would be crazy not to pick him up – he's young, is strong at both ends, and has 65-70 point upside.

Not confirmed, but strongly hinted: Derick Brassard suffered a shoulder injury and will be on the shelf for 3-4 weeks. I traded him in both leagues I owned him in, back when he had 20 points in 20 games because I feared this very thing. Fluke or no – the guy gets hurt a lot. Mike York was an emergency recall. Ifhis shoulder is indeed separated, then yes he is shelved for 3-4 weeks – but you know how injuries are in the NHL this year in terms of disclosure…

Jonathan Filewich has been traded to St. Louis for a conditional sixth rounder in '10. He holds no fantasy value there – he was only mildly interesting in Pittsburgh because he was a winger, and all wingers in Pittsburgh interest me.

Sami Salo is on the shelf for four weeks with a broken rib.

Ryan Whitney was hoping to get in an AHL game tonight before playing Toronto tomorrow – but the Wilkes-Barre contest tonight is cancelled due to inclimate weather. Over here in Toronto – the snow is relentless. We really got hit hard. Here's hoping the wife doesn't go into labor tonight!!!

The Blue Jackets had recalled Alex Picard and not Filatov as I had earlier speculated – this was a silly speculation on my part because, of course, Filatov had been released to play in the WJC.

The Kings have recalled Trevor Lewis to replace Moller in the lineup. Moller will play for Team Sweden at the WJC.

The Predators are 5 for 58 on the power play (8.6 percent) over the past 14 games.

Do not be surprised if Ryan Whitney makes his season debut tomorrow against the Leafs.

Eric Brewer will undergo back surgery today and could be out for the season. 

Last night's 2-1 loss was certainly not Dan Ellis' fault. But how many times has that sentence been said this year? How many more times will it be said in the future? The bottom line is, Ellis is 9-12-3 this season and 1-3-2 in his last six. Meanwhile, Pekka Rinne is 6-1-0. Eventually coach Trotz will forget about trying to find a reason for the losses and start trying to avoid them. I'm still confident that Rinne will emerge as the starter within about six weeks.

Pascal Leclaire got hammered for five goals on just 17 shots. The perfect cure for some slumping Dallas Stars.

Steve Ott was back in the lineup and played 13:38. He picked up four minutes in PIM's. Everything that I said about Avery when Ott and Morrow was out I say now about Ott with Avery and Morrow out – Ott will see more PIMs and offense now that he is the only agitator in town.

Mike Green and Alexander Semin left last night's contest. Green aggravated his shoulder and is "questionable" for Saturday. Semin's injury looked quite serious as he was crosschecked from behind by David Backes. If he is out for an extended time, I have no option but to certify his Band-Aid Boy status.
Boston is just amazing – they are a goal-scoring juggernaut. Equally as amazing and surprising, but for the opposite reason, are the Ottawa Senators.

David Krejci and Loui Eriksson each had their first career hat trick. It gives Krejci eight points in three games and 23 in 13 – unbelievable. For Eriksson, he has five goals in two games now.

Jeff Halpern scored in his season debut, giving him 19 points in 20 games as a member of this team. He played with Malone and Szczechura, who remained in the lineup. Artyukhin was made the scratch to make room.