Column on the way for tonight – Five Teams to Invest in For the Future. St. Louis is in the mix, as are the Oilers. Can you guess the other three? Factors used for evaluation – star quality, prospect quality, coaching philosophy, scoring depth quality, and prospect readiness.

Goldie says: Why Deeper is Better for Luongo. Things just keep getting better for his season’s outlook. Traffic and bodies in front won’t be as much of an issue this year like it was last year.

Goldie says: I think James Reimer is one heck of a patient goaltender…and it really showed in the 11-round shootout last night against the Flyers. Sergei Bobrovsky is ridiculously quick down low, but exposes way too much space up high. How that translates in the AHL is yet to be seen. Jack Campbell won his first start with Windsor yesterday as well.

The top teams (Washington, Chicago, San Jose, Pittsbugh, Vancouver) have already been covered in the previous column (Five Teams to Invest in For 2010-11).

The DobberHockey Wales Division Pro Draft occured this past week – check some of the discussion about draft strategy used by some of the league members here.

Derek Stepan will make the Rangers. I compared him to Paul Stastny in my top 10 keeper league center prospects article back in August, and after watching him play against NHL talent, I stand by it. He isn't a blazing fast skater, but he is solid at both ends of the ice, and he thinks the game really, really well.

If you have already drafted him, great work. If you haven't…. the cat is essentially out of the bag now.

Ilya Bryzgalov is one of the funniest players in hockey. Don't believe me? Check this interview out.

This is exactly why I avoided him in my summer drafts – Peter Muller is out again with a concussion. Mueller now has sustained three (diagnosed, so potentially more) concussions at the age of 23… not a good trend.

Watched the final frame of the Edmonton/Tampa Bay game. I haven't got a chance to watch many preseason games (work and a lack of interest), but I have kept my eye on injury news and the highlights. My thoughts from the game:

Dan Ellis was brutal.

Magnus Paajarvi is NHL ready. He's a powerful skater and he's got a wicked shot. Marian Hossa version 2.0

Linus Omark has a ton of skill when the puck is on his stick, but he isn't NHL ready. There probably isn't any room for him on the roster anyway, but he will definitely be in the AHL in 2010-11.

Thanks to mister_mcgoo for posting this in the hockey forums – Chris Pronger is healing well and is hoping to be ready to go at the beginning of October.

The Carey Price situation has to be controlled pretty quickly here. It has the potential to spiral out of control, especially if Halak gets off to a strong start in St. Louis.

Interesting note out of Anaheim – Bobby Ryan has been dabbling at playing the point on the power play in practice. He was a defenseman up until the age of 15. Anaheim has horrid depth, but a PP unit featuring Ryan, Visnovsky, Selanne, Getzlaf, and Perry has the potential to be the league's best.

The Ryan news is from Adam Brady, who covers the team.

Matt Stajan is out indefinitely with a separated shoulder. Music to the ears of Mikael Backlund owners, as he'll slide in on the second line behind Olli Jokinen. No word on how long Stajan will be out (yet).

David Booth scored twice last night – Booth-Weiss-Frolik will be under a lot of pressure to carry Florida offensively this season.

Not sure what I think of Toronto's new jerseys – I like the logo, but the nameplate and numbers look a bit off.

Nazem Kadri's shootout goal last night was absolutely filthy. Any video clips floating around? The rest of his game is leaving a lot to be desired, though.

A defenseman to have on your lists if your league counts PIM – Mark Giordano. I have him at 8-10 goals, 38-42 points, and 80+ PIM.

Interesting question posed to me on Twitter yesterday – when is the best time to sell high on a player? After a career season (Duncan Keith), after an impressive career as a prospect (Jordan Eberle), or potentially overhyped (Nikita Filatov)? Keith is just an example, as I don't see him being a one hit wonder.

Selling high is an easy concept to understand in theory, but very difficult to implement in practice. No one wants to get rid of a player who was extremely productive for them only a season before.

How do I see the winger situation playing out in Vancouver? Samuelsson will play with the Sedin twins.

On the second line, there are a few players competing for the right wing spot alongside Raymond and Kesler. Tambellini, Schroeder, Shirokov, Hansen, and Torres are all competing. The Canucks would love for Shirokov to step up and earn the spot, as it would allow them to keep Torres on the third line (where he belongs).

If Shirokov does stick, the third line will be Torres-Malhotra-Hansen. Size, a lot of speed, and great defensive play. A huge upgrade over Vancouver's third line from last season. The final line is a huge puzzle too – Brendan Morrison will probably center it, and two big bangers will flank him (my money is on Glass and Oreskovich or Rypien).

Morrison isn't gritty, but he brings decent defensive play, good playmaking, and skill that will make Vancouver comfortable with having the fourth line out there (which simply wasn't the case with Ryan Johnson, Darcy Hordichuk, and Rypien last season).

Peter Schaefer is a huge long shot, he's been decent but not great.

Mike Modano wants to score 20 goals and 50 points this season. Unless both Datsyuk and Zetterberg miss the entire season with injuries, that isn't happening.

Lars Eller will line up with Gomez and Gionta tonight. He has a great shot at playing in that spot a lot this season. I'm not a huge Pouliot fan, and I don't see him keeping a regular spot in the top six.