*

 

Don’t forget to check out DobberBaseball – I used the draft guide thoroughly this year, as it was my first year in about 10 years playing fantasy baseball. The Kershawshank Redemption is off to a great start in 2013 (in case you were wondering).

 

*

 

Brandon Pirri (Chicago prospect) had three points last night for Rockford and is now sixth in AHL scoring. I could see him settling in as a 45-50 point second line NHLer in his prime, if all goes well.

 

*

 

Check out DobberHockey’s Studs & Duds from Friday.

 

*

 

Brandon Dubinsky had no points and was a minus-2, but he won 16 faceoffs and played close to 20 minutes. It wouldn’t surprise me at all to see him set career numbers next year. He has a ton of skill but got buried a bit in New York (especially after he moved to left wing).

 

Jay Bouwmeester had two helpers for the Blues, and he only played 24 minutes. Not many other NHL players could you say that about (“only” 24 minutes of ice time).

 

David Backes scored a goal – he’s been very underwhelming offensively this season – I’d look to buy low if possible. His roto value is crazy – he is consistently a top 10 forward in my league (with hits and PIM).

 

*

 

Rick Nash scored a goal and had seven shots on net – he was a beast last night for the Rangers. Tortorella is really riding him right now (22+ minutes of ice time), and he is making the most of his opportunities.

 

Ryan McDonagh is a top 10 NHL defenseman, and he showed it last night. 28 minutes of rock solid defense, and the Rangers controlled the play whenever he was out on the ice.

 

Jussi Jokinen scored a goal for the Pens – 15 minutes of ice time, and he will continue to play center if he keeps winning faceoffs like he did last night (he lost only two of the 15 he attempted).

 

*

 

Cory Conacher had zero points in 14 minutes of ice time in his Ottawa debut – he created some chances with his speed and hands. I think the move to Ottawa will be good for him, as he probably would have gotten buried in Tampa with their impressive collection of young talent (Ottawa also has a ton of good young players too, but Conacher has a better shot at finding a permanent home there).

 

Speaking of impressive young talent – Mika Zibanejad had two helpers, and Jakob Silfverberg had an assist and seven shots on goal. Those two Swedes are going to lead Ottawa’s offense for many years to come. Both play NHL games – very different players, but very good at what they do.

 

I made the point on Twitter yesterday – is Bryan Murray the best GM in hockey? He hasn’t been perfect, but the moves lately… wow. Trades, signings, and draft picks are all working out Ottawa’s way. He has a great read on his team.

 

Luke Adam, who at one time was a young offensive stud in Buffalo, scored a goal last night (10 minutes of ice time). He will see some minutes down the stretch as the Sabres will want to take inventory with what they have.

 

Brian Flynn had a goal in 16 minutes of ice time for the Sabres (more than Hodgson). Could be a nice waiver wire move for the final few weeks of the season.

 

*

 

Kris Letang is expected to play Tuesday against the ‘Canes.

 

*

 

The point has been made before – advanced stats/analysis are great, but they need to be taught or explained in a way that people can understand (and that directly correlates to success). Which is why visuals like this are so great.

 

 

*

 

Personal note – I am heading back to school! Accepted an offer to attend the University of Oregon for a two-year MBA program. I head down in September to start. Not sure what that means for my future here just yet, but I know I'll have to find a way to get TSN down there…

 

*

 

Should poolies (and Leafs fans) be concerned with Joffrey Lupul's health?

 

If it was impossible to say what had just occurred inside Lupul's body and brain on the third shift of just his 10th game of this NHL season, it was far easier to diagnose the presumed condition of Toronto's hockey fans at the same moment.

*

 

Zack Kassian on his bad dangle vs Oilers: “I saw the Pavel Bure clip during the TV timeout and, for some reason, I just decided to try it.”

— Elliott Pap (@ElliottPap) April 5, 2013

 

*

 

What is Ilya Bryzgalov's future in Philadelphia? Would it surprise anybody to see the Flyers buy him out this summer and make a move for Ryan Miller or Roberto Luongo?

 

Many observers take that to mean Bryzgalov is a prime candidate to be jettisoned this summer in a “contract amnesty” buyout. After this season, the Flyers owe Bryzgalov $34.5 million over the next seven years. If he is bought out, Philadelphia would be relieved of his salary-cap hit and he would become a free agent, but it wouldn’t be cheap: The buyout formula calls for two-thirds of the remaining money divided by double the term, meaning Bryzgalov would get $23 million divided by 14 years or $1.64 million per season until 2027.

*

 

Here's a good read on Jonathan Drouin, who has a shot at going number one at the draft in a few months (and he has a better shot at going number one in your fantasy pool).

 

The meteoric rise of Drouin began in Lac St-Louis (QMAAA) in 2011-12 when he scored 22 goals and 53 points in just 22 games. The incredible start forced the Mooseheads, who drafted Drouin with the No. 2 pick in the 2011 QMJHL entry draft, to create roster space for the 16-year-old midway through their season.

*

Mats Zuccarello learned from his first stint in the NHL, and he has been playing a more aggressive brand of hockey this time around. I'm not really sure if he has any fantasy upside – he definitely has the skill set to be a top six forward, not sure if that means on a regular basis or in situational duty. The Rangers picked up some depth in the Gaborik trade, and they are likely going to re-sign Clowe, too. And Kreider and JT Miller have to factor in to the equation.

 

Good quotes from the Norwegian winger:

 

"I feel more confident on the ice," Zuccarello told The Post yesterday before the Rangers embarked on a three-game trip that commences tonight in Pittsburgh. "The last time I was here I was way too worried about what would happen if I made a mistake.

"I decided that this time I would just give it my all and play with the mindset that I have nothing to lose."

*

A ton of prospects have inked deals over the past few days – I'll try and cover as many as I can.

 

The Hurricanes signed OHL forward Brock McGinn to an ELC. Limited upside from a fantasy perspective, though:

 

McGinn is probably a good few years away from making the NHL and should have a future as a solid checking line player if all goes according to plan. I’d expect him to take part in Charlotte’s training camp this fall but I would be surprised if he doesn’t end up in Guelph next year since he might be better off getting first line minutes there. I am excited to see what he can do for the Checkers down the stretch, though and hope he can become a solid player for this franchise.

*

Matt Duchene has been a bright spot for a miserable Avs team this season. His words to the media sound very "captain-ly" as well:

 

“A top pick would be great, but I think a positive feeling going into the summer from a great finish would be even better for us,” said Duchene, whose team hopes to beat the Detroit Red Wings on Friday night at the Pepsi Center. “I owe it to every guy in this room and to every person who buys a ticket, who pays good money to come see us and cheer us on, to try to do my best.

 

He was a minus-2 last night, but is nice to see Colorado giving Tyson Barrie the minutes he needs to develop (22 last night with three SOG).

 

PA Parenteau had a goal and three SOG – he has been one of the best UFA signings this year – definitely not just a product of Moulson and Tavares.

 

*

I'm not sure if I linked to this yesterday – if so, ignore it. If not, read it! A fantastic piece on Jaromir Jagr, who still has a passion for the game that few other players possess.

 

*

 

Scott Cullen from TSN ranks the top 50 AHL players – lots of fantasy value in this list here.

 

I've given up on my keeper season this year – with Schneider and Luongo as my starters, I simply haven't gotten enough starts. I took a gamble that Luongo would have been traded last summer, and it bit me in the rear end this season. Time to stock up on young guys and sort out my keeper list.

 

Oh, and here are my thoughts on some of the AHL players on Scott's list:

 

1. Tyler Johnson – the reason (or one of) that Tampa felt OK moving Cory Conacher. Johnson is small, but skilled and very smart. He has top six upside.

 

11. Linden Vey (Los Angeles) – a very skilled forward, Vey will probably have to wait a bit for a roster spot to open up in LA (and it looks like Tyler Toffoli is on his way to earning one).

 

27. Matt Donovan (Islanders) – Donovan is a smooth-skating two-way defenseman with some offensive upside. If/when Streit moves on this summer, he may get a look at helping offensively from the back end in New York.

 

*

 

NHL debut coming tonight: