Dobber big miss No.2 – Martins Karsums blew his big chance. A one-way contract and he still manages to get cut. He even cleared waivers. All things considered, my foresight has been very good this year – with only Stoa and Karsums (okay…Turris too, but who saw that one?) as the surprise cuts.

Mat Schneider will miss the first 10 games of the season as he recovers from shoulder surgery. He has been placed on the LTI reserve.

Sergei Shirokov (knee) will be back in preseason action tonight. He practiced with Kesler and Samuelsson.

As you read these ramblings, and surf the ‘net for other fantasy tidbits, you should consider multi-tasking. Read your info and listen to even more of it by clicking here. The Dobber Nation radio show has great insights from Val Filppula (why he broke out in the playoffs, who he is playing with, what he expects), myself (I discuss a whole slew of young players and what you can expect), Proteau (young players on the bubble in camp, Olympic impact, etc). TONS of exclusive info you won’t get anywhere else. Listen here.

My take on the Minnesota roster – they have 24 players and need to get down to 23. John Scott will probably be sent down and either Craig Weller, Colton Gillies or both. If it is both, then they will sign Andy Hilbert. Jamie Sifers will remain on the team, winning a spot. That’s how I’m reading it based on some scenarios run by Michael Russo here.

Chicago will take all 29 of their players to Europe with them, including bubble players Rob Klinkhammer, Jake Dowell and Radek Smolenak.

The Kings are down to cutting either Thomas Hickey or Alec Martinez. My money is on Hickey remaining.
Line combos for LA: Smyth-Kopitar-Williams (of course); Purcell-Stoll-Brown, Frolov-Handzus-Simmonds. Those lines will be together when the season starts, I am sure. The last line will be three of the following: Clune, Lewis, Westgarth, Richardson, Schenn, Harrold. I think Westgarth and Schenn get cut. Harrold is a hybrid W/D so that’s pretty handy for the team to keep.

One question I didn’t address in Dobber Nation, but I meant to, is “one year: Price or S.Mason”? Put me down for Carey Price. Granted, he has a backup who will take more starts away from him, but I truly think Price is a stud. He was a stud last season before suffering a high ankle sprain and when he returned he wasn’t the same – and his numbers sunk. But prior to that injury, he was continuing on with the gold that he had show as a rookie and as an AHL Calder Cup champ. Now that he is under Martin’s system, he’ll flourish. Mason will flourish too, so by no means is the call an easy one. I just prefer Price. Disclosure: I own Price in one of my four leagues. I own Mason in zero of them.

Rangers may not go with 14 forwards – they may go with 13. Up in the air is Grachev vs. Boyle vs. Voros up front and Del Zotto vs. Semenov (camp invite) on the point. If the latter two are both kept, then one of the former three will need to be cut. Just in case you thought the Rangers were all set.

One 18-year-old who could make the team is John Moore on Columbus. The rearguard has four points in the preseason and is still around. Amazingly, he seems more prepared than Kris Russell.

Danny Syvret is looking like he’s the beneficiary of a Randy Jones waiver (that’s still not official yet).

My preseason pick to make the Sharks roster, Jason Demers, is having a strong camp. It looks like he’ll make it. Go with my call on him in the Guide.

Interesting article by Adrian Dater on the DirectTV vs. um, versus, battle in the US.

Here are some more cuts of fantasy interest –
Johan Backlund, PHI
Radek Smolenak, TB – he had to clear waivers and he did not. Chicago claimed him.
Matt Climie, Brent Krahn, Ray Sawada, Ivan Vishnevskiy among others. DAL – team is down to 25, still two cuts to go. Looks like one forward and one D. I would guess Andrew Hutchinson and Luke Gazdic go, which means Jamie Benn should make the squad.
M-A Cliche, LA