Dobber’s weekly Puck Daddy article is here.

The Leafs have recalled Viktor Stalberg. Since they have two lines rolling along offensively, I don’t see him getting a lot of minutes.

Mike Green skated in practice today.

Michael Grabner is inching closer to a return – when he is healthy expect him to play a few games with the Moose on a conditioning stint first.

Alex Edler took part in Canucks practice today and is slated to return on Sunday against St. Louis. Schneider will most likely be scratched – he has been very underwhelming so far this season, and Shane O’Brien (giveaway last night notwithstanding), has been much improved over the past few games. Aaron Rome will draw in for Schneider tomorrow night.

Wade Redden and Ales Kotalik are healthy scratches tonight. There is also a rumor making the rounds that if the Rangers lose tonight, Sather is done. Frankly, I don’t put much stock in one-game ultimitums for GM’s. What is he supposed to do, quickly make a bunch of trades?

Here is how I would fix the Rangers: Waive Roszival, bury him in the minors. He is useless and at times a liability. Call up Grachev. Play depth forwards more instead of leaning on the top guys so heavily (only a matter of time before Gaborik breaks down playing 20+ a night). Demote Drury to the fourth line and remove the C from him. He,like Roszival, is close to useless. Drury can win faceoffs and kill penalties, and that is about it. Play Anisimov more. Play Lisin more.

Nikolai Khabibulin will have to wait a few weeks just to see how he feels after undergoing some spinal procedure to loosen the muscles in the area. Article is here. To me, sounds like he is done for the season in all likelyhood, but that is just premature speculation.

Chicago has allowed 67 goals through 32 games. The next best team in the West is Phoenix, with 78 against in 34 games.

Ian Mendes is reporting that Pascal Leclaire will return to the Sens lineup sometime next week. Even with Elliott's shutout tonight, expect Leclaire to play a lot.

I am so pumped for the World Juniors – far and away my favourite hockey tournament. The passion and energy is unrivaled. Canada has a strong team this year, but is not far and away the favourite like in past tournaments. I’d argue both Sweden and Russia have better teams on paper. The American team is going to be a heavy underdog in Saskatoon. I have already written articles on Sweden and Canada, and will have previews on the Americans and Russians before the tournament kicks off on Boxing Day. Not to discount the Czechs or Finns, but they don’t have the names of the other four countries.

I really enjoyed watching the Sedin twins battle Getzlaf and Perry all game head to head. Both duos play very similar styles, which involve heavy puck control, quick passing, and consistently isolating opposing defenders in mini two-on-one situations. Willie Mitchell praised Perry before the game, saying he thinks Getzlaf overshadows him a bit. Both are locks for the Canadian team – Perry can do things with the puck that I can’t even comprehend at times.

Fantastic news – David Booth has been skating lightly the past few days and yesterday he suited up for the first time with his teammates. He is still a while away but this is a great sign. Check out the story here. I really like Booth and hope he can return this season. He essentially carried the Panthers offensively last season, something he wouldn’t have to do if Weiss and Horton can keep up their torrid paces. The biggest disappointment for Booth is the Olympics, though. He was essentially a lock for the team, but I doubt he will be back in time to suit up in Vancouver.

As Dominik Hasek proved in 1998, the Olympics can be won on the back of a hot goalie. I don’t want to compare anyone in the NHL to who I think is the best goalie to ever lace them up, but Ryan Miller may be able to steal this thing for the Americans if he can carry his hot play in to the tournament.

I am hoping the Habs move Halak, as I made a move yesterday in the Industry Experts League to get him. I dealt from a position of strength (LW), moving Kostistyn the Good and Brunette for Halak, Avery, and Letang. Avery hasn’t done much of anything this season, but Letang helps me out on the back end.

After posting only six points in his past 10 games, Mike Ribeiro broke out with three helpers last night in a loss against Carolina. Ribeiro is a great buy low candidate right now, as he is well below is typical 75+ point pace.

Ales Kotalik has two points in his last 13. Vaclav Prospal has three in his last 10.

Like Ribeiro, Morrow is a great buy low candidate. He also had a good game, recording a goal and an assist. Dallas will be a scary team offensively if they can get Morrow and Ribeiro going in addition to the Richards line.

Tuomo Ruutu had a great game, scoring three goals. He has some upside offensively, and will play a big role in any resurgence that goes on in Carolina.

Bryan Rodney is a great darkhorse to keep tabs on right now. He had two helpers and played over two minutes on the power play. The Canes like to play Cullen on the first unit in addition to Pitkanen, but Rodney should see steady second unit minutes. He now has four helpers in eight games with Carolina.

Even though he was off to a brutal start, Spezza out of the lineup still creates a giant hole in Ottawa's lineup. The immediate benefactors were Jesse Winchester (19 minutes of ice time), and Peter Regin (14 minutes of ice time). Neither has much value, but could bear watching for a short-term fill-in if they start producing.

Dwayne Roloson had a great bounce-back game for the Islanders, allowing only one goal on 26 shots. Rick DiPietro recently left his second conditioning start with Bridgeport after experiencing leg stiffness. Roloson has been fantastic for the Isles this season and they have no need to rush DiPietro back.

Bobby Sanguenetti was called up but healthy scratched for the Rangers.

Scott Gomez is on pace for approximately 35 points. That works out to approximately $215,000 per point. Ouch.

Jack Hillen had a helper, but the offense isn't really there for him this season. However, the ice time is. He is consistently seeing heavy minutes, and was second only to Mark Streit last for the Islanders last night.

One word to describe Toskala's game last night? Stinky. He allowed five goals on only 28 shots and was flopping around all game. The Leafs were horrendous defensively, but he didn't stop anything.

Martin Hanzal really impresses me every time I watch him play – he had three assists last night in just over 15 minutes of ice time. He is a great checking center and may unfortunately get pigeonholed in that role throughout his career. However, he has some decent hands and is an absolute giant out on the ice.

Phoenix blocked 27 shots last night. Absolutely amazing stat.

Keith Yandle is amazing to watch. He is big, fast, and very skilled with the puck. He had three assists against Toronto and possesses monster keeper league value.

They don't come much hotter than the duo of Weiss and Horton right now. They combined for four points and eight shots on goal last night. Horton is on pace for around 80 points, and Weiss is on pace for a hair under 75. Nice to see two former junior stars finally playing to their potential. Especially in Horton's case, this production is a long time coming.

Great news for those of you out West – Bettman confirmed interest in a second outdoor classic, and all signs point towards a game in Calgary between the Flames and Canucks.

Chicago is really rolling right now and is such a stingy team defensively. Huet had a shutout, making back-to-back shutouts for Chicago goalies.

Brian Campbell scored his first goal in over 30 games – a very prolonged slump for such an offensively talented defenseman.

Dan Sexton really impressed me last night with his speed and confidence. He looks like he has the second line wing spot locked up until Selanne returns.

Sticking with the Ducks, their three big boys up front were simply dominant. Bobby Ryan in particular was toying with the Canucks at times.

Hiller was amazing in the third period, stopping 16 of 17 Vancouver shots.  He has been inconsistent this season, but is probably the long-term solution in Anaheim. Too bad Giguere has another year left on a nearly untradeable contract (I hesitate to say any contract is untradeable after Gomez was moved this past off-season).

Jarkko Ruutu should be suspended for drilling Patrick Kaleta from behind. As dirty and agitating as Kaleta is, this was completely over the edge. I'll post a vid when I see one…

Tim Connolly is still healthy.

My Team Canada is always changing (the three different rosters I have put out are a testament to that). My latest lineup:

Nash-Crosby-Iginla

Marleau-Thornton-Heatley

Perry-Getzlaf-St.Louis

Toews-M.Richards-Staal

I don’t buy that Canada HAS to have a checking line picked. Of those 12 forwards, most of them are fantastic defensive players if they need to play that role. Marleau could easily slide down to play with Toews (who can play wing) and Richards. Staal is so dominant one-on-one, as he showed last spring against Chara in the second round of the playoffs. Iginla and St. Louis are interchangeable here, but Iggy is a right shot and Perry/Getzlaf both are as well.

On defense…

Pronger, Niedermayer, Keith, Bouwmeester, Weber, Boyle. Extra is Doughty.