Daniel Carcillo has been suspended for two games. That opens up even more ice time for Ville Leino to prove himself. It’s a small window to determine a career, but that’s what we’re talkin about here.

The Pens have signed Kris Letang to a four-year deal worth $14 million. I think Letang will be a 55-point defenseman, perhaps as early as next season.

Brent Burns has six points in his last seven games. The problem is, those six games were split around yet another injury (hip this time). That will often be the problem with him. But he’s found his mojo again at least.

Anaheim prospect Nick Bonino, ranked 98 on my fantasy prospects list, saw over 14 minutes and scored in his second NHL game. He centered Corey Perry and Bobby Ryan, and makes a reasonable pick up as long as Ryan Getzlaf is out.

The Sabres recalled Nate Gerbe. He played 14 minutes and is a plus-1. He is ranked 26 on my prospects list because of his elite upside, but I don’t think we’ll see it for another three years or more.

With Chris Clark out for the season, the Jackets recalled prospect Tomas Kana. He makes a decent dark horse for penalty minutes, as he is a bit of a pest and may be looking to make his mark on the NHL.

Besides Bobby Butler, the Sens signed top goaltending prospect Robin Lehner and they are close to signing defenseman Patrick Wiercoch, who is ranked 23 on my fantasy prospects defensemen list.

Tarik El Bashir is reporting that Brooks Laich probably will not return before the weekend, which means we will probably see Mathieu Perreault in another game or two. I think he’ll make the most of it, too, in case your league has daily transactions and you need a depth center.

So it will be Taylor Hall and the Windsor Spitfires against Tyler Seguin and the Plymouth Whalers, kicking off Thursday. The winner gets picked first overall in this summer’s draft. Well, not really, but… actually, yeah. If it’s as close a race as they say, one of them stepping up more than the other this series will determine it. Think about it – the winner will get to keep showcasing himself to scouts.

Marian Gaborik is in a funk in New York, according to this interesting column by Larry Brooks.

Evander Kane (broken foot) will get back into the lineup within the next three games.

Carolina rearguard Jamie McBain, who has six points in eight NHL games, was pointless last night but he logged 27 minutes and saw both PP and PK time. He’s a keeper.

The Rangers have lost both Ryan Callahan and Sean Avery to knee injuries. Neither will be in the lineup against the Isles. Corey Locke has been recalled and I would expect Aaron Voros to put up some nice PIM numbers. Last game he saw a season high for ice time.

Sergei Gonchar is probable for Wednesday. Evgeni Malkin – not so probable. The post-gazette is saying that the Pens will be extra cautious with him.

The Preds finally gave Pekka Rinne a rest, giving Dan Ellis his first start since March 11 and his fourth start in six weeks. He carried a shutout into the third. I would guess that Rinne has got it going forward, unless they have their spot secure with a game left, in which case I’m sure Ellis will come in again to give him another break.

With two points last night, Steve Sullivan actually took over the team lead in points with 49. He has 10 in his last 11. With five games left, it is likely that no Nashville player will have 55 points.

Tim Kennedy – six points in his last eight games now, or 25% of his output for the entire season in 10% of the games. He is playing with Derek Roy and Drew Stafford, and as long as he is being treated like a top sixer (I think he will), he should get in the high 40s or low 50s next campaign.

The Kings have recalled Jonathan Bernier and he will get the start tonight against Nashville. Erik Ersberg is out with a strained back.

Baseball season is just a week away – pick up the DobberBaseball Fantasy Guide today!

BGJ makes a great statement in the comments yesterday – he’s keeping David Booth because his value is too low. And that’s exactly how you should play it. Nobody wants a player who could be out again next hit. So sit on him through the summer, watch him get off to a good start (say 15 games). Then when people forget about the issues, you deal him. I’m in a similar boat with Patrick O’Sullivan in one of my keepers. I won’t be trading him, because the return would be terrible. All I can do is hope that the fifth year will be his coming out party. If it’s not, then I doubt he’ll ever have one.

Beauty of a goal by David Krejci, who has 13 points in his last 10 games: