Goldie here – the Colorado Avalanche chose to NOT re-sign Peter Delmas. I’m very surprised by this, as I have witnessed a rise in Delmas’ speed and skill at every training camp since he was drafted. As such, he will re-enter the NHL draft and probably play one more year in the QMJHL.

Travis Hamonic has put pen to paper and signed an entry-level deal with the Isles today. He’ll be on the roster this fall.

Dean Lombardi is “not optimistic” about Alex Frolov’s return to Los Angeles. I’ll take “obvious statements” for $100, Alex.

Mats Zuccarello Aasen has officially signed with the Rangers (something that was originally reported four or five weeks ago). Hunch – he battles for the Calder Trophy. 25 goals, 30 assists.

I have made this point before, and I'll make it again. With so many coaching vacancies right now, keep an eye on which coach ends up where. AHL coaches love to bring a favourite or two with them to the NHL. Kevin Dineen (head coach of the Portland Pirates) is a contender for the Columbus job, but he is also very close with new Tampa Bay GM Steve Yzerman. Guy Boucher (Hamilton Bulldogs) and Scott Arniel (Manitoba Moose) should also factor into the coaching vacancies. Keep an eye on where they go. A player or two could follow and be given an opportunity to produce that they may not have gotten elsewhere.

A solid read on Boucher from the weekend from Aaron Portzline – check it out. "Blue Jackets center Derick Brassard, who played under Boucher at Drummondville of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League in 2006-07, was wowed by Boucher’s motivational tactics. “Every day was a new challenge for the players, and every player was accountable to the team,” Brassard said. “I’ve never played for a guy like him, a guy who is capable of getting the best out of every player. He was always in your head, always keeping you energized and motivated. It was always very motivating.”

Backstopped by Matt Climie, the Texas Stars completed the comeback last night in Hamilton; scoring four straight goals en route to a 4-2 win over the Bulldogs. Climie stopped 41 of 43 shots (and 90 of 94 in the final two games of the series), and after two periods, the Stars were being outshot 34-11. Climie will now face Michael Neuvirth and the Hershey Bears in the Calder Cup Final.

The 27-year-old Climie has played four games at the NHL level (all with Dallas). He was undrafted out of Bemidji State. He starred in the ECHL in 2008-09 with Idaho, and his numbers this season with Texas were very good (2.46 GAA, .919 save percentage, 21 wins). Climie probably has the inside track at the backup position next year in Dallas behind Kari Lehtonen.

Follow the DobberHockey crew on Twitter! Myself (@angus_j) and Dobber (@DobberHockey) are on it, as are @AlexSerenRosso , @HockeyScribe (Van Horne), @DobberBaseball, @notch4077, @TheGoalieGuild (Goldman).

Jamie Benn now leads the AHL in both goals (14) and points (24). Stevie Y is all class. "Steve Yzerman has never worked for another pro sports team besides the Detroit Red Wings, not as a prospect, not as a player, not as an executive, not for 27 years — until Tuesday, when he accepted the position as GM of the Tampa Bay Lightning, a place as far away from Hockeytown as it gets."

Sticking with the Stars, Perttu Lindgren was the first star of the game, finishing with three points, including the game-winning goal. 2009-10 was his second season in the AHL, and he finished with 14 goals and 47 points in 74 games.

DobberHockey wallpapers – two new ones to check out. Mike Richards and the Philadelphia Flyers.

My top 10 keeper league combo players list is up (as you can see by looking about two inches to the left). It took a while to compile, and the rankings don't mean all that much. Sean Avery (4^th on the list) isn't nearly as good as many of the players who didn't make the list. However, his potential as a combo forward is probably higher than most other players.

For my next list… thinking of doing a top 10 keeper league PP/PK players, to get the best of the best in terms of special teams production. I'll have to weigh short-handed points a bit more heavily, as for the most part the top scorers overall are the top power play scorers as well.

The Kings have signed winger Scott Parse to a two-year extension. He'll collect $900k per season. I was impressed with him last season – he's got good offensive instincts and is a very 'heady' (smart) player – Los Angeles obviously want to keep him around. He had 11 goals and 24 points in only 59 games last season. Don't be surprised if he hits the 20-goal mark in either 2010-11 or 2011-12.

I also like the Parse signing from a different standpoint. Kings GM Dean Lombardi could have let Parse walk in hopes that Brayden Schenn and/or Oscar Moller step up and earn a spot. But what good teams do (Detroit, for one) is force rookies to earn spots. The Canucks made this mistake three seasons ago with Mason Raymond, who wasn't ready for second-line duty, and it forced them to play the likes of Ryan Shannon and Brad Isbister (shudder…) in a scoring role.

It still sounds like the Oilers are leaning Seguin…

The Canucks have signed defensive prospect Yann Sauve. Sauve has had at least 30 points in each of the past two seasons with the Saint John Sea Dogs of the QMJHL. Expect him to play a year or two with the Moose before challenging for a roster spot. His offensive upside is minimal – he has a huge shot and is a great skater, but he lacks the vision and natural instincts to develop into an offensive guy at the NHL level.

Will Kane and Toews help Chicago win its first cup in almost 50 years?