Regarding the investigation into the Devils dressing 15 players, please understand – this is not the NHL. The NHL doesn’t care. It’s the union who needs to defend their players, and I think Zharkov, Tedenby and Josefson were ripped off one game of NHL salary. This is an NHLPA issue. Completely different from past issues with the Devils. If you were owed $5,000 from your employer, would you want your union to look into it? Well, I’m not sure the single game salary for Zharkov, but it’s somewhere in that neighborhood. And instead, he got paid an AHL salary (which would be what – $500 bucks?). I’m not really pro-union, under normal circumstances, but this is a situation where they are needed. So the league isn’t “out to get the Devils”. The League could care less, and want the matter dropped. But the PA are the ones looking into it, as well they should. Last year the Flames dressed 15 because they couldn’t get guys into the building in time. This time it was the Devils consciously choosing not to call up players. I don’t expect any repercussions, and frankly I don’t care. But much like 12-year contracts turn into 15-year contracts with the next superstar, as the GM’s bend the rules…I think 15 players on the roster for one game will be more widespread and for more games, as GM’s bend those rules as well. So that part of the equation is where I start to care. I don’t want seven or eight teams in the 2011-12 season rolling with 16 or 17 skaters for 10 games in a row, all so that the team can make room to outbid “my” team on the next Kovalchuk next summer.

Based on line combos in practice this morning, it looks as though Mike Comrie will be a healthy scratch tonight against the Leafs. Also, Bill Guerin is in the building in Pittsburgh…

Andrei Markov could be back as early as Saturday, though most sources seem to think he’s another week away yet. No that will not affect PK Subban negatively. Subban is a stud. Just like my point on John Carlson earlier in the week, you can’t hold stars down. They’ll shine regardless.

Rob Rossi reports that Jordan Staal was back on the ice for the first time. I think he’s still three weeks away, but at least now we know he is finally recovering.

With Brian Rafalski out for three or four weeks (knee), look for Nik Kronwall to slide onto the top power-play unit.

In case you missed it, Darren Dreger has a very interesting look at the NHL-NHLPA relations, specifically the hot-button “escrow” issue. The two sides have agreed to lower it from 18 percent to 17 percent, but Dreger floats a good conspiracy theory.

That stink that I was wondering about – the one I thought the NHLPA would raise over the Devils – is finally being raised…a little. The NHLPA is “investigating” why the Devils only dressed 15 skaters and why four of their members didn’t get called up to do their job.

And yes, I think Zharkov, Tedenby and Josefsson would have been the difference between New Jersey’s winning and losing their last game.

The Devils used some of their savings in not opening up enough jobs, by signing Adam Mair.

Some people on Twitter are extremely passionate about how James Wisniewski got a two-game suspension for a hand gesture, whereas Nik Hjalmarsson got the same suspension for a wicked hit from behind/the side on Jason Pominville. How does a dangerous hit get the same as a lewd gesture? Anyway, I find that every suspension creates an uproar. I stopped caring months ago. But when I saw what Wiz did, I thought he would be suspended. Two games is one more than I thought he’d get. Anyway, for those who don’t understand why he was suspended, show the replay to your five-year-old niece and see what she asks you. Not defending the NHL – I can’t make it clear enough how little I care – but if you’re desperate for a reason or some justification, I am giving you theirs.

With Andy Sutton out for 6-8 weeks after thumb surgery, I think Cam Fowler will actually stick around for the duration now. It’s funny – I had Fowler making this team in the first place (June and July). Then I had it 50/50 after they signed Sutton and at 0% when they signed Mara. But this changes things and I think we’ll see Fowler until at least 39 games (the second big contract-related deadline)

Anders Lindback will get his first career NHL start tonight for Nashville. Rinne will NOT be on the bench to back him up and is still day to day.

Martin Erat (back) will not play tonight. But on Thursday, Erat, Kostitsyn and Rinne could all be back in the lineup.

Most members of the Thrashers are minus players this year, but Chris Thorburn is a plus-4 with two goals. If you’re lacking in that category, he may be a guy to look at for depth on the wing. Just temporarily, of course, as his final number won’t be much higher than it is right now.

John-Michael Liles has five points already this year. That’s an eighth of what he’ll end up with already.

T.J. Galiardi is pointless and a minus-3 this season. He was down to 14 minutes of ice time last night.

David Jones tallied three points. Provided he stays healthy, which is highly highly doubtful, I believe he could be a 60-point guy this year.

Forward Mark Olver tallied his first career NHL point. He’ll need to continue to produce with minimal ice time if he wants to work his way up to a scoring line – and it would be the slumping Galiardi whom he replaces if he’s successful.

Daniel Cleary, Jiri Hudler and Mike Modano were a minus-3 against the Avs. Hudler is off to a horrible start, playing just 12 minutes a game and managing just one point. Before he went to Russia, his ice time was minimal yet he still produced.

Todd Bertuzzi is actually leading the Wings in scoring with five points. If I own him, I’m going to the Hudler owner and inquiring about a straight-up swap. See if he bites.

But then again, that would require me to be a Bertuzzi owner…which is crazy talk.

In Andrei Loktionov’s first game of the season he played 17 minutes, but was held off the scoresheet.

Alexei Ponikarovsky is not being used on the power play. His linemates are okay (Handzus and Simmonds) but the three are being used in a defensive, in-your-face role. That generally means each of them will be in that 40-50 point range. They are more effective in REAL hockey than fantasy.

The Pens have recalled Andrew Hutchinson. Besides Brooks Orpik, the team could be without Zbynek Michalek (shoulder).

Jiri Tlusty has been sent to the AHL on a conditioning stint. His career depends on a strong showing this year, else he becomes the next big bust. And by strong showing I mean 35-40 points. Not huge, just… something.

Matt Stajan is taking contact in practice now. I think he’ll be back in the Calgary lineup next game. Morrison practiced on his line as a winger according to the Calgary Herald.

The Leafs have finally bit the bullet and placed Jeff Finger on waivers, something they should have done…oh, the day after they signed him. Here is what Cliff Fletcher had to say about this great signing: