Interesting data on back-to-back games from our friends at On the Forecheck. Florida has the favorable schedule, playing 15 sets of back-to-back games, yet facing 24 opponents on the tail-end of their own back-to-back set.

The Preds have signed Mark Dekanich to a one-year deal. It’s a two-way agreement, meaning he is not assured the backup job – but he is my favorite unless the team signs another one.

Kovalchuk has been denied. The arbitrator has sided with the NHL and Kovalchuk is a free agent again. If he wants that kind of money he needs to go to the KHL. I suspect that he will go after a one-year deal somewhere a la Hossa.

Teemu Selanne has re-signed with the Ducks for one year. He will make $3.25 million. Do not expect a full season from him, but he’ll still get six or seven points for every eight games he plays, with some sizzling hot streaks thrown in the mix. Dan Sexton just lost a ton of value.

One thing that I like about Mike Santorelli is that he overachieves. He is counted out by the experts, and then forces the matter. Other players who come to mind like that – Rich Peverley, Mathieu Perrault, Cal O’Reilly, Paul Stastny, Chris Drury (10 years ago, that is), etc. These are players projected as adequate NHLers (Stastny) who become superstars, or career minor-leaguers (Peverley) who become solid top sixers. Through brute willpower and underrated skill they overachieve. Santorelli is a poor skater – so much so that he has no business even getting a cup of coffee in the NHL, according to an agent I spoke to several years ago. Well, he initially made the Preds last year and he’s made the AHL his bitch for two years now. The Panthers are deep – they have about 10 players who could play on the second/third line, which is where Santorelli would fit in. However, the Panthers are also the most injury prone team in the league. Their list of Band-Aid Boys – from Booth, to Stillman to Olesz to (although he played 80 games last year) Weiss – is a long one. Santorelli would just have to produce during those opportunities. But there will be opportunities. Not draftable, but I don’t write this overachiever off.

Chris Chelios has retired, as I’m sure you’re aware. His last big fantasy season was eight years ago, in 2002 when he finished with 39 points, 126 PIM and was plus-40. He also had a couple of mind-boggling seasons – 1992/93 when he had 73 points and 282 PIM; and 1995/96 when he had 72 points and 140 PIM. He had 60 points seven times and 150 PIM seven times. He even had a 20-goal season.

Milan Michalek says he’ll be good to go for the start of Ottawa’s training camp. He is a very high injury risk to own, but is certainly in a “buy low” position right now and if you get lucky on the injury front, it would certainly pay off nicely.

The big Kovalchuk decision is expected today. I expect his NJ contract to be upheld, but the NHL has fired their warning shot and I doubt you will see anything like this next summer.

Fantasy Guide – on sale here. It will be updated after the Kovalchuk decision.