I am not sure if NJ can get the salaries to work… but how about a Bieksa/Clarkson swap?

 

A great point brought up in the comments section below – Pittsburgh has received an abnormally high number of power play opportunities early on this season, which has positively affected the production of their offensive defensemen.

 

Dave Poleck’s “Looking Ahead” column will be posted this weekend. A must read for roster planning.

 

Dobber: Here’s the long-awaited Chesnokov article in Puck Daddy on Alexander Radulov. His extension is for another two years, basically he wanted to cover off the end of the NHL CBA to avoid any possible lockout (and secretly hope that his current contract with Nashville can be voided so that he can return to the NHL in three years as an unrestricted free agent). He’ll be 27 when his KHL contract expires. I told you the KHL wouldn’t let this guy go. Not after getting MVP last year and absolutely exploding with offense this year.

 

Bryan Murray calls out one of my favourites – Erik Karlsson.

 

Brent Burns is off to a strong start with three goals and five points in six games. He was one of the better sleeper picks back in 2007-08, but two straight years of serious injury issues has put a damper on his fantasy value.

 

He isn't seeing first unit PP time (Zidlicky and Cullen play the points there), but he can create offense at even strength. Injuries have to remain a concern, but keep an eye on his production over the next two or three weeks. If he keeps this up I'd try and scoop him up (more so in one-year leagues than in a keeper).

 

Jack Johnson's first game without Drew Doughty in the lineup – minus-3, pointless, and one shot on goal in 25:10 of ice time.

 

Brown, Williams, and Simmonds all averaged between 15 and 17 minutes for the Kings. The Kings would love one of them to step up and take a stranglehold on the top line RW position.

After going pointless in four games to start the season, Simmonds now has three points in his last two games.

 

Ekman-Larsson played close to 24 minutes for the Coyotes, second only to Aucoin in terms of ice time.

 

Andrew Ebbett scored a goal for Phoenix. He was called up to take Martin Hanzal’s roster spot.

 

With 10 points… your Eastern Conference leading New York Islanders? They are tied with the Penguins at the top. There is a big discrepancy with the games played across the board, but still interesting to note!

 

Make sure to check back throughout the day for rambling updates – Thursday was busy and there were a lot of games. I’ll share my thoughts on tonight’s games as well.

 

Am I surprised with Frolik's slow start (two points in six games)? A bit, but not really. Florida doesn't have the talent up front or on defense to score consistently, and at this stage of his career Frolik isn't good enough to take over a line on his own. He needs help.

 

Lecavalier was pointless and played just over 17 minutes in his return to the lineup last night.

 

Simon Gagne's offensive struggles continue. He failed to record a point once again against the Islanders. Great buy low candidate.

 

Blake Comeau is pointless in his last three games. I hope you didn't sell the farm for him! I still think he will have a strong season (45-55 points), but like any mid-level offensive player, there will be a lot of highs and lows throughout the season.

 

The difference between a 20 and a 40 goal scorer (aside from skill) is consistency. Groundbreaking, I know.

 

New Jersey PP watch:

 

Taormina – one goal, 4:03 of PP time

 

Greene – no points, 0:57 of PP time

 

No other defenseman saw even one second of PP time for the Devils.

 

The Canadiens fired 29 shots on Martin Brodeur. Gionta and Cammalleri combined for 12 of them.

 

Jason Arnott had a goal and an assist last night after going pointless in his previous three games. I am not sure what to expect from Arnott this season – he has lost about five steps with his skating, but he can still hammer the puck.

 

David Clarkson – no points in seven games, minus-6, and only 12 PIM. Something needs to change or I will be dropping him very soon. Simply not enough ice time to go around.

 

Olivier Magnan-Grenier made his NHL debut for the Devils (he replaced Alex Urbom). He played over 16 minutes. I know absolutely nothing about him – anyone with some insight to share?

 

Luke Adam has 10 points (five goals) in six games so far with Portland. He was Buffalo’s 2nd round pick in 2008.

 

Adam had 49 goals in only 56 games with Cape Breton of the QMJHL last season. He’s a big boy with soft hands.

 

Crosby and Malkin have combined for 17 points in the past five games.

 

Drew Doughty is out for at least one week with a concussion. The Cole hit was very dirty. Doughty had moved the puck about three seconds before getting hit, and Cole definitely had him lined up. At the low end, it was interference.

 

Video of the Cole/Doughty incident posted below.

 

After dumping San Jose's goaltending in my latest column, Antero Niittymaki turned in a great performance last night, stopping 29 of 31 shots. He has had health issues in the past, but I feel he is vastly superior to Antti Niemi. Niittymaki will get the bulk of the starts if he can stay healthy.

 

JM Liles has emerged from the dog house in Colorado. He now has a goal and eight assists in only seven games. He isn't known for his defensive play, but he plays sound positional hockey and can often cover for his mistakes with great skating and mobility. I have always been a huge fan.

 

Early season miss – I saw Chris Stewart slightly declining. He has five goals and nine points in seven games. He is well on his way to developing into one of the most dominant power forwards in the league.

 

Pittsburgh may have three defensemen finish with over 50 points. When was the last time this happened in the NHL?

 

Letang scored the OT winner and added a helper. Both Martin and Goligoski were pointless with two shots on goal apiece.

 

Pittsburgh was criticized for many because of their off-season. Their holes were at wing and not on defense, which made the Martin/Michalek signings a bit confusing. However, the strong defence has had a trickledown effect.

 

Better defensemen do a lot of things – they move the puck up the ice quicker, they make smarter readers, they give the forwards the puck in better situations, and they provide more offensive support in all situations.

 

I think at some point the Penguins will either develop or add an elite winger (Beau Bennett has the upside but he is a project), but until then expect the revolving door with a rock solid defensive group.

 

Atlanta has placed Nigel Dawes on waivers. That sure didn't take long.

 

Kevin Connauton scored twice for the Moose last night as they defeated Hamilton 4-3 in the AHL. Connauton has a good shot at cracking the Canucks roster for 2011-12. He is raw defensively but he skates and handles the puck like Keith Yandle. Like Yandle, he plays with an edge too.

 

Jordan Schroeder scored the shootout winner.

 

Cody Hodgson is pointless for the Moose. He is skating on a line with Schroeder and Aaron Volpatti.

 

My take: Neuvirth is the better and more consistent goalie, but the Caps management/team/coaches seem to like/have more confidence in Varlamov. It will be interesting to see how it plays out.

 

San Jose has assigned Thomas Greiss to the SEL (Brynas).

 

Check out the attendance in Phoenix last night. Where's Waldo?

 

Zach Parise talks about his fantasy hockey team. I wonder if he reads DobberHockey? Parise said he had a tough time deciding between Phaneuf and Pronger for his defense.

 

From Puck Daddy’s Dmitri Chesnokov: “Alexander Radulov extended his contract with KHL’s Salavat Yulaef for 3 more years until 2014.” Ouch.

 

The Canucks will move Kevin Bieksa sooner rather than later. Salo will probably be back around Christmas, but it wouldn’t surprise me if they move him before that point. He doesn’t fit in with the team anymore and his play has gone steadily down hill ever since his strong 2006-07 season.

 

Cory Schneider is playing tonight for the Canucks. It sounds like Jose Theodore will get the call for Minnesota.

 

Martin Brodeur is 2-4-1 this season. Both of his wins are shutouts. Thanks to Big Ev for the tip.

 

Sidney Crosby's stat line for my H2H keeper league – two goals, one assist, nine shots on goal, 11 faceoff wins, and two penalty minutes. He is so valuable in this league – seems to average 10-15 faceoff wins per game.

 

Great point mentioned in yesterday's ramblings by 'KarbinKopy.' Here is what he wrote:

 

"Dallas is going to keep Benn as their third line Center until they start losing games. Brad Richards (UFA) or Mike Ribeiro (trade) are gone next season and they want Benn to be the second line Center. Since he’s been a Left Wing for most of his hockey career, they’ll want him to get as much time at Center as he can. This sucks for poolies this year as their isn’t enough points to go around in Dallas for Benn to be hugely successful in fantasyland. Benn playing center is good for Dallas this year, but it sucks for us fantasy GM’s. I say if you have Benn in a keeper league hold onto him, but in one year leagues drop him like a hot potato and pick him of the waiver wire if Richards or Ribeiro get injured."

 

Speaking of Benn – three assists in his return last night. I trust my gut with players (in general I think I can spot talent – Parise, Yandle, Eberle is another young guy) and I have a great feeling about Benn. Maybe not for this year (reasons above), but long term I love his upside.

 

I remember when I first saw Benn live in the WHL. I had never heard of him (being a 5th rounder his name wasn’t really out there all that much). I definitely remembered his name after the game. He was completely on another level than any player on the ice that night.

 

Last night was Taylor Hall's best as a professional.

 

Dean Youngblood ranks the best players in terms of points per minute. Derek Boogaard finds his way into the top 30. You know it is early in the season when…

 

The Comish lists all of the current buyouts in the NHL (player and cap hit).

 

Tim Thomas was UNBELIEVABLE last night. I taped the game and watched it after work. He put a clinic on against the Capitals. Rask owners, get time to get worried!

 

The Tim Thomas show:

 

Check out this interesting goal from Johan Franzen last night:

 

Cole hitting Doughty: