Dobber here – With Erik Cole out 2-3 weeks and LaRose out 3-4 weeks, the ‘Canes have recalled Jiri Tlusty. He’ll get top six minutes to start and if he rolls with them (under old coach Maurice) he could flourish. A hot start is essential though.

Angus here. Celebrating the weekend with a rambling of epic proportions! I am headed off to Whistler today for the weekend, and the big man is going to cover for me tomorrow and then take over on Sunday as regularly scheduled. Read on!

Fitting that I end up missing most of the game between the two teams that I am following the most right now (Vancouver, for geographical reasons, and Atlanta, for fantasy hockey reasons). I managed to catch the third, though.

Rick Rypien's legend continues to grow. He went toe-to-toe with Boris Valabik last night, and had the upper hand in the fight by the time the dust had settled. For those counting at home, Rypien is 5'10" and weighs in at 175 lbs. Valabik is 6'7" and 250. Rypien, in his career, as now defeated Hal Gill, Douglas Murray, Zach Stortini (twice), and Valabik among others. Of course, video is supplied for you to enjoy!

** Correction – Rypien lost to Douglas Murray, a fight I had confused with his vs. Ole-Kristian Tollefson when he was on Columbus. Forgive me. **

For your viewing pleasure, a link to Rypien's entire career of fights – All of the NHL ones have videos to go with.

Stats for the Oiler goalies this year: JDD is 7-4-2 with a .917 save percentage. Khabibulin is 7-9-2 with a .909 save percentage.

Rotoworld says Rinne is a great buy low option. Um… isn't that about six weeks late?

Tuukka Rask continues to show why the Bruins could have made a very shrewd move and let Thomas go this past off-season. He had another gem of a game, shutting the Leafs out through two before allowing two third period goals. It would have been a gusty move for the B's to let the reigning Vezina winner walk, but it also would have opened about $4 million of cap space to deal with. Hint, hint.

Hockeypoolgeek with one of the best posts I have ever read over on the message boards. Sums up what fantasy hockey (and the Dobber community) is all about. Read it here!

Tim Connolly is battling a bit of a sore hip, but it sounds like he won't be missing the game tonight. The Band-Aid Boys board meetings have been short a few members this season, most notably Connolly and Gaborik. It is only a matter of time…

After having the worst plus-minus on San Jose last season, Christian Ehrhoff is second in the NHL (only trailing Zach Parise) with a plus-16 rating. Go figure.

Ryan Miller leads the league in shutouts (tied), save percentage, goals-against-average, and is third in wins (tied). Hart, Vezina… anything else?

Phil Kessel was pointless once again playing in Boston, and once again he was bood mercilessly. Shawn Thornton was quoted on Boston radio earlier in the day that the locker room doesn't really miss Phil, making it sound like he wasn't the most liked guy there. I can't imagine how hard it must be to try and fit in with an elite young sniper who can take over games!

Another guy I really like for keeper leagues is Blake Wheeler. He is huge and has a lot of talent – just needs to continue to develop and get a consistent power play shift. I think he has the upside and potential to be a quality 70+ point winger in a couple seasons. He's on pace for a 20 goal, 20 assist season (approximately), so now is probably a good time to inquire about his services in keeper leagues.

Alex Goligoski was pointless in his return, but saw over six minutes on the power play (second among defensemen only to Gonchar). The points will come…

John Stevens sure was the problem in Philly… the Flyers laid another egg against the Senators, losing 2-0. Brian Elliott was technically very good, but it was an embarrassing effort by the Flyers once again.

David Schlemko is averaging a surprising 18:36 through 14 games with the Coyotes. He only has a few points to show for it (although five points in 14 isn't bad at all for a rookie d-man), but he is seeing significant ice time. In addition to Yandle and Lepisto, does Phoenix have another young offensive d-man to watch?

Anton Volchenkov, a guy I don't really mention much, was an absolute beast. He is fearless defensively and throws some massive, massive hits – great player to watch, not so much to own. (Unless your league counts blocked shots!)

Claude Giroux saw 15 minutes of ice time. He needs to be getting 18+ to really flourish. Throughout Philly's recent struggles, he has been their most notable forward night-in and night-out (him or Danny Briere).

Mark Recchi is quietly on pace for a 40+ point season. Another one of these ageless wonders. His hands around the net and on deflections are still absolutely lethal.

Mike Cammalleri is probably too one-dimensional for Team Canada, but that dimension (offensive wizardry) is damned fun to watch. He is an absolutely spectacular offensive player. He's on pace for over 40 goals and close to 70 points, and both are totals I would expect him to hit. Everyone on Montreal should get a boost offensively (save for Roman Hamrlik, maybe) when Andrei Markov returns. Few can work a power play like he can.

Kristian Huselius has 15 points in his last 14 games. He may be soft and a bit inconsistent, but he is a solid offensive contributor. He had 56 points last season, and should improve on that mark this season. I'd expect at least 65 out of him.

Martin Erat is scorching right now. He scored again last night, making that six goals in his last four games. He was a big-time sleeper for me two seasons ago, but never really developed past a decent second line 50-60 point winger. I don't see him breaking 60, but the hot streak is a nice reward for those who have been patient with him after a slow start.

Carey Price is in the zone right now – his focus is insane. He stopped 38 of 41 shots in the loss, and did all he could besides score a goal to keep Montreal in this one.

After a strong game by Steve Mason last night, the Jackets went back to Garon tonight. He was decent, and actually lost a shootout for once. I don't have the stat handy, but Garon is far and away the best shootout goalie in the league right now. Sullivan beat him in the fifth round with a nice snap shot.

Brassard played 13 minutes, Vermette played 23 and Umberger played 18. It is obvious who Hitch trusts more right now. Brassard was only 20% on the draw, while Vermette was 71 and Umberger was 44, respectively. Vermette is really fitting in nicely with the Jackets – he is a very strong skater, and plays hard defensively every shift.

The Sedins absolutely torched Atlanta, combining for five points. Daniel had a hat trick in the first two periods, and Henrik added two assists. Henrik is now third in scoring in the entire NHL with 38 points, trailing only Thornton and Gaborik.

Daniel's line: three goals, plus-2, 10 shots on goal, and seven shots missed. Ovechkin-like numbers there.

73 points last season… on pace for barely over 30 this season. Todd White has to be one of the biggest (potential) drop-offs in production, no?

If Steve Bernier had any sort of hands, he would be a 30-goal scorer easy. With his size and skating he is getting in great positions to score, but often fumbles the puck at the last moment.

Kyle Wellwood was a healthy scratch after an awful stretch of games. He needs to play with way more intensity on a consistent basis if he wants to stick around in the NHL much longer.

Alex Burrows, in addition to recording two helpers, played over three minutes on the PK. He does so many little things that go unnoticed (and a lot of dirty things that don't).

The Kovalchuk line with Antropov and Afinogenov was pointless (at even strength, thanks for the correction) and a combined minus 6.

Ondrej Pavelec allowed four goals, but he was very, very sharp all game. The Thrashers were tired coming off a loss last night in Calgary, and it showed. Pavelec held them in this one as long as he could. His consistency has been the real surprise to me, as it is a lot to ask a young goalie to come in and start every single game for a team with playoff hopes. Starting one game or even a period in relief is one thing, but playing every game and facing the world's best on a nightly basis is a lot to ask, and Pavelec has handled himself very well.

Shane Doan is on pace for less than 20 goals and barely 50 points. Buy low – he is way too good to continue such a dreadful pace.

Jack Johnson has seven points in his last six contests. I don't like him as a fantasy player for the short-term, but maybe he is going to prove me wrong? He got by on the lower levels with his skating, size, and skill, but didn't always think the game at an elite level. He is working on that now.

Wayne Simmonds really is a guy to watch for in multi-category leagues. He is on pace for over 20 goals, close to 50 points, a plus-32, and over 100 PIM. Has significant keeper value if those numbers represent any sort of upward trend.

With Cody Hodgson out of the upcoming WJHC tournament, expect it to be the Jordan Eberle show. Eberle has 59 points in 27 games for the Regina Pats, including 28 goals. I'll be shocked if he isn't the leading scorer at this tournament. If you read my article a few weeks ago, that means its time to snatch him up and then sell high after he gets tons of airtime on TSN over the winter break! All fantasy hockey really is (besides bragging rights and the "fun" stuff) is analyzing values and going for profit-making situations.

Rick Rypien vs. Boris Valabik: