Some SHOP notes:

No longer for sale is an Ultimate Fantasy Pack. Instead, I have a “Mini Pack” that has the Midseason Guide and Playoff List for $12.99. This package, plus the Keeper League Package, adds up to $29.49, which is actually cheaper than the Ultimate Pack was. I think it’s easier and more flexible for you that way. I also have package pricing for each of the Dobber Sports sites, essentially offering you the Midseason Guide, the Interactive Playoff Draft List, plus a membership at Frozen Pool or Goalie Post for an additional $1.00 (Wha? Yep, you heard me), or the Midseason Guide with Hockey Pool Geek membership for $14.99

Brendan Smith ‘may’ play tonight, but only if Brad Stuart can’t go. If he can go, then Smith goes back to the AHL.

Niclas Bergfors has cleared waivers.

Brenden Morrow is out with a UBI. All I can dig up is that it is day to day.

Alex Semin’s exile lasted one game. He’s back next game and Joel Ward will be scratched.

An update on Travis Zajac – he is targetting two weeks from now to return to practice. From there, I’m sure it’s about 10 days to game action. So let’s rough it at December 20 against the Rangers, or the 16th against the Stars (the latter is the first of back to backs, so I’m more inclined to say the 20th).

Elliotte Friedman’s 30 Thoughts gives DobberHockey a mention here. Give his 30th thought a gander…

Craig Smith has just one point in his last five games and his ice time slipped below 14 minutes last night. I think this is just a slump, given that he was an even player when most of the team were minuses. Just hope that the ice time doesn't slip further.

Just when you think Dwayne Roloson shows signs of turning things around, bam he allows 10 goals in two games and gets the hook in the second one.

Joe Colborne has points in three of his four games. Excellent start to his NHL career, although I don't believe he will be a top sixer next year. The season after that – yes. But not next year. Also – he's playing well enough to remain with the big club, but he'll still be sent down as the injured file back in.

Tim Connolly has six points in his last three games. Surprisingly, he has just four shots in those games (two goals). This is while 'not' being on the first line.

Clarke MacArthur scored 41 seconds into his return to the lineup. He's had a tough season so far – that was his first point since November 3 and his third point this month. He had been pointless and minus-9 in five games prior to Tuesday.

Showing signs of life – Cody Franson is still not getting the ice time, but he has three points in his last three games and will remain in the lineup while Mike Komisarek is out. That's all he needed – a way to stay in the lineup. He has four points in eight games, so as far as points-per-game goes he is on track.

How do Phil Kessel and Joffrey Lupul lead the league in scoring a quarter of the way through the season? Remarkable. I wouldn't bet on Lupul staying healthy all year, but ride it for a couple more weeks and then kick some tires and see what you can get for him. As for Kessel, I think you have an 85-point player on your hands. Think about it – if he gets 55 points in his last 60 games, he'll end up with 85. In the last 29 games of last campaign, he had 30 points, so his hot run didn't just begin in October.

The line on Jake Gardiner after I dropped him Sunday to make room for Ian White in a trade – two assists, plus-4, 8 PIM. D'oh!

Marty St. Louis was a minus-4 last night. He has just two points in his last six games.

Give Kris Russell three points in five games with his new team, and a plus-2 to boot. His ice time topped 20 minutes for the first time since joining his new team.

Andrei Loktionov has two points in four games since being recalled. He's an NHLer, the Kings just need to find room. And right now, I know Terry Murray is just thinking – 'man, I'd rather have this guy in my lineup over that bum Penner.' But politics are politics and contracts are contracts.

I'm pretty sure Jaroslav Halak won't get the next start. Not a horrible game, but not a great one either. And Hitchcock is going to the other goalie pretty quickly. So Elliott has a chance to keep rolling along.

Seriously Patrik Berglund – one point in 11 games. Really? Is he going to be the heir apparent to Vinny Prospal? Remember Prospal's legendary good-year/bad-year trend? Berglund is getting the ice time needed to thrive, but he's not thriving.

TJ Oshie did end up playing and he managed an assist. He saw 18:51 of ice time.

The Oilers continue to roll (and score), actually chasing Pekka Rinne out of the net. The kids went nutty again – RNH, Hall and Eberle combined for seven points. Ryan Smyth added two more points, and he is completely reborn in Edmonton.

Matt Lombardi will be out of the lineup for a few weeks thanks to his UBI, possibly a dislocated shoulder that will require surgery. If so, he could be out for the several months.

Niclas Bergfors has been placed on waivers.

Jochen Hecht will be back in the lineup tonight for the Sabres. Not sure who will be scratched to make room. Tyler Ennis apparently suffered a "setback" in his return from an ankle injury.

Ian White is also back. We'll see if the Wings send Brendan Smith down.

Jaromir Jagr is set to return to the lineup as well. But Pronger, Timonen and Simmonds missed practice yesterday. Pronger will not play against the Isles.

Brayden Schenn is ready to play, but will do so in the AHL. Possibly for conditioning, or possibly to stay for awhile.

Brendan Morrison is set to return for the Flames. Paul Byron may be sent back down soon – Morrison will be back within the next two games.

Both Brent Seabrook and Michal Frolik were back in practice for the Hawks.

DobberBaseball Fantasy Prospects Report – released Monday – be sure to drop by the site and pick that up if you're in a baseball keeper league. Also, the FORUM over there has had an injection of new members so if you're a fantasy baseball fanatic in the summer, give it a look.

Pelley vs. Matthias…