Draw for Musty Putters customized (designed by YOU) putter – drumroll – the winner is – CHUK! Chuk, flip me an email and I’ll put you in contact with the Mr. O’Donnell

I just floated this idea on Twitter, thought I would mention it here. We all know the new All-Star game format. Regardless, it’s not a “real” game. So why not have Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux as the captains? Who wouldn’t pay/tune in to watch those two play one more time with and against NHLers? Discuss.

Not mentioned Monday, but uh – Linus Omark scored five goals. In one game. He also scored the shootout winner. Tallying five is pretty special, even at the AHL level. He looks to be a player. He’ll be an Oiler next year, and he’ll get some looks this year. He was also named the AHL’s player of the week.

Ottawa prospect Bobby Butler tallied a hat trick Sunday for Binghamton. He has nine goals and 14 points in 12 games. Methinks he’s adapting to the pro game just fine. Robin Lehner had his first career pro shutout in that same game.

Also with an AHL hat trick Sunday – Mats Zuccarello-Aasen. I think, what you saw with Ville Leino these last three years, you will see with MZA. That kind of NHL time and production, except more goals.

Brent Johnson will get the start tonight for the Penguins. Each strong start he has delays Fleury’s next chance at having back-to-back starts by a few days. And until MAF has back-to-back starts, he is a fantasy liability.

To give new writers an opportunity, I will be giving a section of the forum to one. The five finalists have been decided, you can read more information and place your vote HERE.

Brooks Laich picked up three points against the Rangers – not bad, considering he was probably playing hurt. He had three points in a game five times last year, and three of those times he followed up with points in at least the two games following that.

Brian Boyle is pitching Cy Young numbers – seven goals and no assists. His last five games have seen him well over the 16-minute mark, including plenty of power-play time. In the 10 prior games he never saw 16 minutes of ice time in a game. With Marian Gaborik due back soon, this will cut into his PP time. But then again, would Torts cut the ice time of his second leading goal guy?

John Carlson has just two points in his last 10 games. I still believe he’ll get 50 this year, or at least close to it.

Nikolai Khabibulin got the hook last night after giving up four goals on eight shots. Dubnyk came in and was still peppered with shots, but fared better stopping 31 of 34. He’s certainly earned a start. Let’s give ‘Bulin a rest!

It was a 7-1 loss to Carolina and Sam Gagner was a minus-4. With four goals scored in seven minutes, I think the EDM coach showed some mercy and kept Taylor Hall on the bench. Eberle, too. The two of them combined for 20 minutes of ice time.

Eric Staal and Jeff Skinner combined for seven points. The two have been going nutty since being put on a line together several games ago.

Erik Karlsson has nine points in his last nine games.

Chris Mason got the hook last night. I know it’s from being rusty – Mason needs to play consecutive games to get rolling – but the fact is that Pavelec came on in relief and did well, probably earning another start.

After going pointless in his first three games with Atlanta, Dustin Byfuglien has 14 in his last 12. No, I don’t think he’s that productive. I think his upside is in the high 60s and I think he’ll be hard pressed to reach a number like 62 for this year.

What a great coaching job Craig Ramsay has done on Niclas Bergfors. Even though Bergfors has two points in three games, Ramsay caught the lackluster play and called him on it, scratching him for a game. He returned for one game and in Ramsay’s eyes did not learn his lesson so he was scratched for two more. Since then, Bergfors has eight points in eight games and is playing a consistent game. Nine out of 10 coaches would never have scratched Bergfors so soon, and I think that had he not been scratched he would have about seven points in 15 games instead of 10 in 12.

By the way, I’m actually last place in the Expert’s League. I noticed that a couple of days ago and it’s embarrassing. I’ve missed several lineup and bid deadlines, so it was time to take action. I landed Brassard and Pavelec, among others. We’ll see if it helps. But I’m guessing that anyone who owns Ilya Kovalchuk is in the bottom quarter of their league right now – he’d have been a first-round pick in most formats and to have your first round pick suck it up so badly, with a horrible plus/minus… anyway, throw in my Michael Leighton, Pekka Rinne and Antti Niemi goalie troika and I’m in a lot of trouble.

Dan Ellis is 3-0-1, 0.78 and 0.971 in his last four starts.

Mike Smith is 1-2-0 in his last four starts, although his other stats haven’t been that bad. But Ellis is slowly working his way in as the No.1 in TB.

And the band plays on, for Jarome Iginla…. eight points in 14 games.

Saku Koivu has five points in his last three games. He saw over 21 minutes last night.

Keith Ballard was a healthy scratch for the Canucks. He is pointless in eight games and a minus-3.

Kyle Quincey has a concussion, effectively extending the stay of Shattenkirk and Cohen. It also increases their PP time, as Quincey was a member of that unit. One or both of them could start to post some decent numbers and are worth watching.

TJ Galiardi has a broken wrist after taking a hit from Jarome Iginla. Look for Ryan Stoa to get recalled and immediately get placed in the top six.

According to the Bruins Blog, Michael Ryder left yesterday’s practice with an undiclosed ailment and Jamie Arniel has been recalled.

Steve Downie was indeed scratched from last night’s game with his back injury. He wanted to play, but the team decided to shut him down for his own good. The back has really been bothering him.

Scott Parse is one to keep an eye on – he has been playing with Kopitar and Brown and the line ie expected to stay together.

The last time he played the Canucks, Carey Price got the hook in a 7-1 loss. This time around – he shut the door on them.

Brendan Morrison played just 5:54 last night. What did I say? Decent numbers early and then a gradual fade. Coaches don’t seem to like the post-surgeries Morrison the way they liked the pre-surgeries Morrison.

Ryan Suter was back in practice for the Preds, as did Martin Erat. Saturday is possible for Suter’s return, but the game after that is more likely. As for Erat, the Tennessean was less certain.

Later this afternoon, I will be drawing from 10 names to pick the winner of a free putter from Musty Putters. This putter will be customized to your design and has a retail value of close to $300. I already have eight of the names, so expect two final contests to give me the two final names. Musty Putters has also offered everyone a deal for $25 off, simply contact them and mention my name and it’s a done deal.

There is a big DobberHockey Event in Vancouver on December 9. Yes, finally, we are escaping Toronto for a night of trash-talking and pop-drinking. Angus and I will both be there, as will Marcus “Crazynuck” Schalle and the DobberHockey graphics designer Glen Hoos. I’m interested to see who I’ll get to meet. The time? From around 6:30 to around 10:30. The place? Considering either Riverrock Casino (Richmond), or Ceili’s Irish Pub. Comment below for your preference…