If you need something to listen to on the way to work this morning, why not give the Dobber Nation podcast a listen? Grab it here.

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Pick up the updated Fantasy Baseball Guide here. And don’t forget that DobberBaseball has content flowing daily. Let them know what you think of the new team of writers over there – leave a comment!

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Brendan Gallagher, on giving his No.73 back to Michael Ryder: “I hear Rolex makes nice watches.” (per FAN590)

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Here’s an interesting dark horse for your bench – Mats Zuccarello. The Rangers are looking at bringing him back next month.

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Casey Wellman ended up being the guy called up yesterday, as I guessed in the ramblings. He was called up to help serve drinks in the press box, unfortunately.

Mathieu Perreault has seven points in his last seven games. John Carlson has four points in five games and is plus-2. Add in Ovechkin’s big game on the weekend and the Caps players are quietly helping their stats catch back up to where they should be.  Nicklas Backstrom has four in his last three games, too.

Mike Green was back and he played 22 minutes – great sign. And Carlson getting two points (and six shots) in a game that Green played in was also a nice sign.

Alexander Semin led the Hurricanes in shots with four against his former team.

Ryan Murphy had a lot of weight on his shoulders in his first two NHL games, seeing 49 minutes of ice time and going minus-4. But the last two games he has seen 35 minutes and an even plus/minus. That’s a much more realistic ice time number for a teenager just getting started.

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New Jersey recalled goalie Keith Kincaid, as Martin Brodeur is ineligible to come back until Monday.

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Defenseman Grant Clitsome has quietly put together a three-game points streak and he’s plus-4 in that span.

But he’s got nothing on Evander Kane, who has points in each of his last eight games (10 in all).

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So right after I note that Cody Eakin could be hurt by this Ryder trade, he goes out and gets two points without him.

Antoine Roussel, not known for his scoring, has five points in his last five games to go with seven PIM.  He also had four hits last night, which is more what he is known for. Great option for leagues that count hits.

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Ryan Johansen is minus-8 in 12 NHL games. More time in the minors, please. I know the pickings are slim, but you’re killing this guy’s confidence.

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My THN article yesterday takes a look at some guys riding the coattails of their superstar linemates – the Top 10 Coattail Riders.

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One game after getting his first career goal, Beau Bennett picked up his first career assist. Could the Penguins actually have developed a winger for their stud centermen? That only took 20 tries (Stone, Filewich, Armstrong, Tangradi, Caputi, Jeffrey, Veillieux…so many failures…)

After his four-point game last night, Tomas Kopecky has six in his last four games

Jose Theodore and Thomas Vokoun got the hook in their game.

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Richard Bachman got a win for Dallas, but he still allowed four goals. The Stars aren’t getting the goaltending from either of their backups. Word is that Kari Lehtonen is back Thursday or by the weekend.

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Get this – Paul Bissonnette is on a three-game points streak. His PIM are down though, so he’s not giving much of a bonus if his core stat is low.

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Rick Nash and Michael Del Zotto were still a ‘no go’ for the Rangers, but Dan Girardi was back – and he played 28 minutes and blocked three shots. Nash did attend the morning skate and practiced in full.

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Brendan Ross takes a look at the Jones vs. MacKinnon vs. Drouin debate over at THW.

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Cal Clutterbuck will miss at least the next four games with a thigh contusion.

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With Ryan Malone nearing a return, one of Richard Panik or Alex Killorn will be sent back down. My money is on Panik. Killorn is NHL ready.

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Both Andy McDonald and Alex Steen left practice with an injury yesterday. Both men are Band-Aid Boys, so any news like this is of some concern for sure.

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Matt Duchene missed yesterday’s contest with a groin injury. No word on when he will be back, but you could probably have bet that Jamie McGinn would go pointless. And you would have won that bet.

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The Coyotes will not talk contract with Mike Smith during the season because nobody owns the team yet. I’m guessing that Smith is outtie.

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The Ducks have recalled Emerson Etem and have sent Peter Holland back down.

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Val Filppula missed Detroit’s practice with an injury. Johan Franzen played in his spot with Brunner and Zetts. Filppula is looking doubtful for tonight’s game.

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Interesting piece here on how Barry Trotz is looking at Craig Smith at center behind Fisher and Legwand.

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The shootout last night between the Avs and the Sharks