Rumors out of Vancouver today that Hamhuis has been suffering (to put it lightly) from a ruptured testicle. I was told it was mid-section/rib related last week, and after hearing this I hope it is. I can’t even begin to fathom how painful a ruptured testicle would be.

Again, just a rumor, but would explain his lack of skating (and talking to the media, I think an octave or two higher would be a dead giveaway).

Two-year extension for Grant Clitsome – $1.25 million per.

Justin Bourne breaks down the game tonight – solid analysis.

One week from today – DobberHockey will be having an event in Toronto at Yonge and St. Clair at the Sports Centre Cafe! Come meet Dobber, Goldman, Lancione and talk some fantasy hockey/ enjoy some pops on a nice Friday evening after the Cup is won…

The old adage “you are never in trouble in the playoffs until you lose at home” may be tested tonight in Vancouver.

The Bruins will win if:

• They continue to turn the series into a physical, chippy, dirty, post-whistle affair.
• Tim Thomas sees the puck as well as he has over the past two games (thanks in large part to strong defensive clears on rebounds)
• Vancouver’s defense continues to keep a Red Sea-like gap on defense (they need to step up much faster on the Boston forwards and force them into making plays)
• They win the special teams battle.

The Canucks will win if:

• They get their once lethal PP back on track, and actually punish the Bruins for taking physical/undisciplined penalties
• Roberto Luongo rises to the occasion as he has done multiple times this spring
• They ignore the post-whistle stuff, the hacks and whacks that Boston is employing so effectively.
• They get traffic in front of Thomas and make him move. Pucks to the net won’t do the trick, in fact it may do the opposite and get Thomas comfortable.
• Their defensemen HIT THE NET with point shots.
• Someone steps up on the back end. Kevin Bieksa doesn’t look like himself without Hamhuis. Edler and Ehrhoff have both been struggling.
• Someone other than Sedin/Kesler get invovled. Sedins have been shut down, but they are going against a Vezina and Norris finalist on each and every shift.

Dean Youngblood, one of the most respected forum contributers for both his knowledge and his passion, has put together a mock draft for 2011 – his top 10 selections. Or his full mock (and still being added to) right here.

Goldie Says: My latest on NHL.com looks at Luongo’s crumbling confidence. Great deal for Reimer and his owners. I take a look at his potential next season as well.

Fantasy Prospects Report – buy it here.

Gates Imbeau and I will be rolling out a comparative Top 10 Keeper League Peripheral Players List. We will be ranking the top 10 hits/blocked shots combo players. I hope/think that these two stats will find their way into all leagues within the next few years.

Hits isn't a perfect stat, and the number is skewed from arena to arena (some statisticians are more liberal with handing them out). However, unlike PIM, it actually measures something positive.

Some questions from the Dobber Sports Facebook page yesterday…

I’m interested in a comparison of Sam Gagner and Kyle Okposo in a standard roto league. What do you think their two year high/low looks like. Is a breakout coming for either of them? Does Okposo receive a huge edge in any stat other than PIM?

Gagner – I thought a breakout was coming this past year. His production at the NHL level has been impressive considering his age and the lack of talent around him. I still think he will become a solid 60-70 point center.

Okposo – probably a second line player on the Islanders, 25-30 goals depending on PP time. Hard, heavy shot, and a very responsible defensive player. I'd give him the edge in SOG and G as well.

Is Markstrom still the top goalie prospect long-term given what Robin Lehner has done lately? Is it just hype for Lehner? In any case, what is the gap in upside, certainty and general fantasy value between Markstrom and any other goalie prospect?

I'd put Markstrom in that top group with Lehner and Eddie Lack. The three are interchangeable to me. Markstrom's season stats aren't impressive, but he got better each and every month. So much depends on opportunity, as well. Look at opportunity (Reimer, Bobrovsky) compared to skill (Schneider, Bernier). Takes both to take off.

I’d like to know which of the disappointing top end dual eligibility wingers you see bouncing back next year and why or why not (off the top of my head I can think of three that fit the category: Heatley, Nash and Kovalchuk).

Heatley – zero confidence in him. Injuries seem to have derailed his star offensive upside. Nash – finally has a center in Johansen, but how long will he take to become an NHL talent? Kovalchuk – everything that could have gone wrong did. If the Devils sign/trade for a legit puck moving defenseman, I like Kovalchuk to bounce back.

Brayden Schenn vs. RHN – which prospect would you prefer on your fantasy squad?

RNH. Schenn is the best drafted prospect in the world, but he won't be for long.

Some GMs view their teams as fluid, and act more like penny stock traders than investors. So my question is when a GM should start selling competent but older stars like Martin St. Louis for optimal returns?

I have never believed in a full-scale rebuild. Using my golden rules for trading (quality over quantity, don't overrate unproven players, use a maximum of a three-year scope, and don't sell low or buy high), and you should be in contention each and every season.

In a 12 team keeper (keep 6) G A PPP SHP FW SOG +/- GWG. I own Getzlaf, Perry and Hiller. Was thinking about offering up my D Sedin for Bobby Ryan to own all 3. Is that a good idea or foolhardy. I know Sedin will outperform Ryan for the next year or 2 but those 3 are a machine.

Not a good idea. Don't overpay in general, but especially don't overpay to load up on one team. Hasn't proven itself to be a beneficial strategy, and Sedin is about as money as it gets at the LW position.

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Could be the first thing Stan Fischler has ever said that I agree with!

StanFischler @TheGoalieGuild “Enjoyed” is an understatement. That was as brilliant an analysis as I’ve ever read about a goalie in the finals. Congrats.