What an underrated team the Slovaks are. I’ve always been a fan of this team, whose only weakness had been in goal over the years. Now that problem is solved with Halak, although they aren’t quite as deep as they were up front in the past. Easily the fifth best team in the tourney and those in the Top 4 better be looking over their shoulder.

So how could Canada only manage two goals against Switzerland, but Norway manages four? And they seemed to score seconds after giving up a goal.

I agree with Angus that Jaromir Jagr will be in the NHL next year. I think it was three issues ago in the The Hockey News where Ken Campbell wrote a fascinating piece on him and I came away under the strong impression that we’ll see him next year and he’ll play another two or three years yet. And I also agree that his upside is still a point per game. I think you can probably expect 70 points out of him though.

We don’t always agree though, Angus and I, and we sure don’t see eye to eye on Jonathan Toews on the big line. He played the second half of last game on that line and all I kept asking myself over and over again was ‘why’? And now apparently they are practicing with Mike Richards on that line. Why all the line scrambling? Jarome Iginla played well on that line – granted, against Norway – but I think he has earned a longer look. It’s a short tournament and I don’t think you can afford to not settle on lines. That’s what you have practice for. And whether it works or not, you sink or swim. Changing lines every period just seems panicky. For what it’s worth – I don’t mind Bergeron there, or Iginla, and I think Perry is a good fit as well. But pick one and stick with it. Let the guys get comfortable.

Mike Babcock would be blamed anyway if Canada fails to win gold… but I wouldn’t have blamed him. This line combo uncertainty is something that would cause me to place blame there – warranted or not.

TSN is reporting that Mikhail Grabovski was involved in an altercation in a Vancouver bar and was taken into custody. He was later released and the investigation is ongoing. Bears watching.

71 poolies chose the current Olympics scoring leader in the DobberHockey Olympics Pool – Sergei Kostitsyn – out of about 2400 entries.

Player who could emerge from this tourney with an NHL job – Patrick Thoresen (Norway – PHI, but will be UFA in the summer) and Roman Wick (Swiss – Ottawa). Thoresen, 26, could be a decent second liner on a weak team. Wick may never come over because the Swiss league pays so damn well. I also think Hnat Domenichelli has it in him to play in the NHL, but apparently is very happy right where he is with his Swiss wife.

Mike Comrie proposed to Hilary Duff last week and she accepted. Expect a big surge in his production as he rides this high – just kidding. I don’t know what the hell this will mean. Probably the opposite, if anything.

James Reimer is 8-2-1 for the Marlies, 2,21 and 0.930. If Gustavsson decides not to sign in Toronto (I think he will), then Reimer will be the backup.

Great news for the March 21 Marlies game. My luxury box sold out quickly here – $35 got you in the box with myself, Russ Miller, Brent Lemon and Steve “Notch” Johnson, food included and beer available. Well, they gave me a second box beside this one even though this game is completely SOLD OUT (it will be on CBC – they play Abbottsford). I have eight SEVEN tickets now up for sale to watch hockey in style – and talk fantasy hockey with the experts. Buy it HERE. Also, still with the Marlies – I have sold 36 tickets for the Marlies game on March 27 for charity. That’s right – 36 kids via the Children’s Aid Society will get to watch Toronto and Rochester thanks to your generosity! For just $15 you can help me reach my goal of 50 kids going to the game. Buy one HERE!

Luca Caputi is on fire for the baby Pens. FIRE. He has 20 points in his last 14 games for WBS as he inches closer to NHL readiness and a spot on Malkin’s wing. I wouldn’t bet a TON of money on that happening in the fall… but I would probably bet SOME money on it.

Jonathan Bernier has eight AHL shutouts this season to lead the league. He is 24-15-5, 2.01, 0.939. If the Kings truly need him, he is ready. But given the play of Quick they will be content to let Bernier season for one more year.

Chicago prospect Jack Skille has 34 points in his last 33 AHL contests. He’s also averaging about four shots per game, which is exactly what the Blackhawks want out of him. His progress should help with the decision to trade Dustin Byfuglien by the summer to free up cap space for next year.

Coming later today – the Top 100 Goalies. DobberBaseball already has the Top 150 Pitchers up.