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Dobber’s latest for Puck Daddy – check it out.

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My fantasy hockey mailbag is open for a few days – ask your questions here.

 

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Roberto Luongo was great last night making the surprise start – he stopped 40 Calgary shots (letting in only one goal against).

 

 

Cory Schneider was a game day scratch with the flu, which meant that the Canucks had to call up an emergency goalie from the University of Calgary….

 

 

Mikael Backlund led Flames shooters with six shots on goal, and was probably the most noticeable forward.

 

 

Ryan Kesler looked rusty – he did finish with two assists, but he wasn't skating or reading the play as well as he was in his first game back (against Phoenix on Monday.

 

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Some non-fantasy hockey stuff – Chris Higgins and the art of the (penalty) kill – a look at his shorthanded prowess.

 

 

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Ryan McDonagh isn't too far off from getting some Norris attention – two points last night, three takeaways, and 27 minutes of ice time. He is the most important Ranger to their success (after King Henrik, of course).

 

 

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Gregory Campbell is sure making the most of the Bergeron injury (Bergeron has started skating again, FYI). Campbell had two goals last night and now has four points in his last two games while skating with Marchand and Jagr.

 

 

Speaking of Marchand, he left the game and didn't return:

 

 

 

 

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A new keeper league option? U of Calgary goalie Dustin Butler:

 

 

 

 

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Check out the free DraftStreet contest going on for this Saturday – with a shot to win a share of $300. Details here.

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Islanders forward Jesse Joensuu has taken a few detours en route to the NHL. What does his future hold?

With so much talent on the wing, he may have to start off on the fourth line (he's big and likes to hit, so it could be a good role for him). However, he has the ability to be a productive NHL player.

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The Blues have called up prospect Dmitrij Jaskin. Jaskin was a high 2nd round pick back in 2011 – he had a productive QMJHL season in 2012-13 (which ended a few days ago) with the Moncton Wildcats. Dobber mentioned Jaskin yesterday as someone to keep an eye on, and I agree (I agree that this also speeds up his progress, even if he only gets a game or two in).

He's 6-3, 200 pounds, and 19 years old.

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Pascal Dupuis’ current run: 17-12-7-19, plus-17, 8 PIM, 71 SOG #Penguins #NHL #SidneyWho?

— Dobber (@DobberHockey) April 11, 2013

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Detroit prospect Teemu Pulkkinen is coming over to the AHL (for the remainder of 2012-13, at least). He probably needs a year or two of AHL adjustment time before getting time with the Winged Wheel, though.

After a very productive 2010-11 season in Finland, Pulkkinen's numbers have dropped a bit since. He's a shoot-first winger (a bit like Damien Brunner – both are righty shots, too).

He doesn't have the upside of Calle Jarnkrok, but Pulkkinen could be a good top six winger at the NHL level.

 

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An interesting and in-depth look at the recent struggles of Jamie McBain. McBain has a ton of upside, but for a variety of reasons his development has stalled a bit over the past year and a half.

 

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Alexei Emelin is out for the season with a knee injury. He suffered it after attempting to hit Milan Lucic. Emphasis on "attempt."

Dan Hamhuis tore abdominal muscles in the 2011 Final after hipchecking Lucic. I think NHLers are going to figure out that it is best to avoid Lucic in the open ice….

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Chris Stewart points to a diet change – namely cutting out rice – as a reason for his strong play this season. Diet is a huge part of the puzzle, and it is amazing what improvements/changes can be made when removing foods that are creating bad situations (in Stewart's case, he has an allergy to it).

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For the next 30 days (of my ramblings, so 10 weeks), I am going to profile a different NHL organization – one sleeper for 2013-14 (and beyond), and one really deep sleeper.

Today, is of course, the Anaheim Ducks.

My sleeper – defensive prospect Sami Vatanen

Vatanen came over to North America with a lot of hype last fall. He made the top 10 defensive prospects list I put out last year. At the time, I compared him to the ageless Kimo Timonen, who is still going strong as he approaches 40. Vatanen is undersized, like Timonen, but he has a fantastic skater with elite mobility.

The transition to the North American game hasn't been an easy one – he is still a bit of a defensive liability at the AHL level, but he has been a positive difference-maker on many nights for Norfolk as well. The 21-year-old has eight goals and 44 points in 56 AHL games – phenomenal production for a defenseman of any age.

We know that development is nonlinear for most young players – Vatanen still has high value because of his AHL production, but many hoped he would be a productive NHLer this season.

Looking at Anaheim's depth chart for 2013-14 – Souray, Fowler, Beauchemin, and Bryan Allen will all be around. Lydman and Lovejoy are free agents. Souray, Beauchemin, and Allen are all capable of logging tough defensive minutes, which should allow Vatanen the opportunity to earn a sheltered/offensive role as a rookie.

Deep Sleeper – LW Steven Whitney

When the Ducks sign a college free agent, by ears perk up. This is the same team that has signed undrafted gems like Kunitz and Penner, and they have also found players like Dan Sexton, too. Whitney plays a lot like Brendan Gallagher – he is 5-7, 170 pounds, and very tenacious. He scored 26 goals this season for Boston College (the second highest total in the country), and will finish 2013 playing for Anaheim's AHL affiliate in Norfolk.

The Ducks have a number of talented wingers, and Whitney will be in tough to earn NHL minutes. Etem, Smith-Pelly, and Maroon are all ahead of him on the depth chart. Matt Beleskey has really found a home under Bruce Boudreau, as has Andrew Cogliano.

I like Whitney's chances to find his way as a 20-goal, energy winger in the NHL. There is some risk involved (size, competition for ice time), but don't discount scrappy undersized wingers with offensive ability.

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A good discussion on the Steve Mason trade, as well as his future in Philadelphia.

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A solid primer from Red Line Report on college UFAs to watch for (many of which have inked NHL deals at this point).

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A good read from Brandon Worley on Alex Chiasson's strong play as of late (I nabbed him in my keeper league a few days ago – love the way he plays – smart, sound with and without the puck, great hands).

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My latest fitness post – Supplements 101. Many supplements out there are a huge waste of money, but there are some important/essential ones. Read on for more information.

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Derek Roy has had a very positive impact on the Canucks through the first few games of the trade. And he will free up Ryan Kesler to produce more. Why? Read this.

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Detroit losing Darren Helm (who managed to suit up for only one game in 2013) for the rest of the season is a huge blow. He isn’t a huge fantasy producer himself, but he makes life a lot easier for the Datsyuks and Zetterbergs. Residual fantasy value (you’ll see me use this term from time to time) – Helm’s ability to eat up PK/defensive minutes against top opposing stars frees up Detroit’s scorers to focus less on checking and more on scoring.

 

 

 

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A beauty goal from Ray Whitney near the end of this clip:

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