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The Interactive Playoff Draft List (get it here) has been updated based on the standings as of today, plus Columbus (still in it) as well as injury notes up to the minute. Get it with the Keeper League Pack, use coupon code ULTIMATE, get $3.00 off.

 

Sign up for Saturday’s Draft Street contest for a chance at winning cash. Details here.

 

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The Florida Panthers have clinched the worst record in hockey and now have the best shot at getting the first overall pick (not a slam dunk – don’t forget, the draft lottery system was changed and now all 14 non-playoff teams have a shot at the top pick).

 

Assuming Florida gets it, who do they take? Can you imagine a Huberdeau-Bjugstad-Drouin/MacKinnon line in a few years? 

 

How about Seth Jones on the back end with Gudbranson, Kulikov, Robak, and Petrovic?

 

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In real estate news, Ryan Miller has put his Buffalo area home on the market. Coicindental timing as the season concludes. Me thinks not….

 

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According to Kirk Muller, Alex Semin has a concussion and will miss the final two games of the season.

 

Some ice time and opportunity up for grabs this weekend. Could be the final push you need to win your fantasy league, so keep an eye on who slides into the Carolina top six.

 

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Unfortunately, Alex Chiasson's shooting percentage (46%) is unsustainable. Gee, ya don't say?

 

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A deep sleeper for the future – Texas Stars forward Justin Dowling. He was a nobody at the beginning of the season, and is now one of their go-to offensive players.

 

Here's a good read on Dowling. He was an ECHL All-Star before getting the call up to Austin.

 

Coach Desjardins immediately slotted him between Mike Hedden and Scott Glennie to replace the recalled Antoine Roussel on that line. A few games later, Glennie injured his hand and was replaced by Alex Chiasson, who the Stars were looking to put in a more prominent role in the top six.

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TJ Oshie will be ready to go soon, but will the Blues play him on Saturday against Chicago or save him for game one?

 

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Sergei Bobrovsky was fantastic last night for the Jackets. He is a lock for the Vezina in my eyes. Oh, and in other goaltender-related news, Ilya Bryzgalov was “kind of exhausted” before the Mason trade.

 

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The Abbotsford Heat Calgary Flames generated only one goal of offense last night.

 

Mark Cundari had four shots on goal and a lot of PP time – a good audition for next season, perhaps?

 

He established himself long ago as Calgary's best defenseman, and TJ Brodie has been a rare bright spot this season for the Flames. Love his game – very poised, reads the play well, makes great outlet passes. Point upside very dependent on PP ice time.

 

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Nice goal from Matt Read a few nights ago:

 

 

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PK Subban had two assists, four shots on goal, and over 25 minutes of ice time last against the Jets.

 

Brendan Gallagher scored a goal as he closes his rookie season out strong. Really impressive what he has contributed in 2013.

 

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Tuukka Rask is in top form heading into the postseason – he stopped 30 Lightning shots last night, and several were of the high quality variety.

 

Alex Killorn only has one point (an assist) in his last seven games. He's getting second line minutes, but has hit a wall offensively.

 

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No, this is not déjà vu – Detroit's big guns stepped up last night in a huge way – Datsyuk and Zetterberg shredded the Predators (a combined five points and seven shots on goal).

 

Brendan Smith played close to 20 minutes – no PP time, and a lot of SH time. I was a year or two early with my sleeper pick projection – the talent is there, but the opportunity isn't. At least not right now.

 

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Leo Komarov had a goal and six hits – a pretty rare stat line in most fantasy hockey leagues. Komarov is a hitting machine, but the Leafs don't play him in offensive situations all that much.

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Ryan Callahan had a monster multi-cat night – one goal, one assist, six SOG, and four hits.

 

Derek Stepan played almost 24 minutes and finished with two points – Torts loves his game and has really rewarded him with the opportunity to play top line minutes this season. I'm a big Stepan fan. Thinks the game at an elite level, production is coming as he now plays with more confidence.

 

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Erik Karlsson had a decent return last night. 27 minutes of ice time and two assists. Wait, what? Pretty incredible turnaround time for a recovery from a torn Achilles.  

 

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Jared Staal made his NHL debut last night – he could have a future as a fourth line grinder/banger, but the high-end game isn't there compared to his brothers. He played 12 minutes and didn't have a point. He kind of looks like a blend of all three other Staal brothers, too.

 

Carl Hagelin was selected as the fourth line RW on my 2013 Prime Cuts team for his strong play this season – two more assists last night (as well as four SOG).

 

 

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Jake Voracek had seven SOG last night – he would be on pace to shatter the 190 SOG he recorded (career high) in 2011-12. More SOG = more goals, all else equal.

 

 

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An underrated UFA this summer – David Clarkson. With all of the positive things he brings to the ice, I could see him fetching upwards of $5 million on the open market. Will that be in New Jersey? He's one of the better power forwards in the game, and his offensive ability has improved significantly over the past two or three seasons.

 

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Sidney Crosby has been cleared for practice and will skate with the Penguins today.

 

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Today's team to analyze – the Columbus Blue Jackets

 

 

Sleeper for 2013-14: Ryan Johansen

 

Johansen is a well-known commodity to DobberHockey readers, as many of us have been building his hype for the past few years. His NHL adjustment has taken time, but over the past few weeks he has really started to play good hockey at both ends of the ice. He is showing more confidence, and has really excelled defensively against some of the West's best centers, too.

 

When his offensive breakout comes, it will be immediate. He has top line talent, and he will probably follow a similar progression to Patrik Berglund (who we are still waiting on… but his game has improved – the Blues are simply a really deep team).

 

Longer term sleeper:  Jonathan Audy-Marchessault

 

JAM (a lot easier to write) has had a phenomenal 2012-13 season for Columbus' AHL affiliate in Springfield. He's an undersized but extremely talented winger who thinks the game at an elite level. The Jackets are deep on the wing (for the first time in… ever), so he will be in tough to earn a spot at camp this fall (even with Prospal and Comeau set to hit the open market).

 

He plays with some jam, too (pun intended) – 65 PIM in 74 games, to go along with 21 goals and 67 points. He will probably spend another year in the AHL, but he has the tools to be a really good NHL player, even with his lack of height (5-9).

 

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Here are my picks for NHL hardware. Your thoughts? Any oversights?

 

For the Hart:

 

Toews is the best player on the best team in hockey. He really is a jack-of-all-trades player. He can check, defend, and play on the penalty kill. He is one of the best faceoff men in hockey. He's big and strong. But most of all, he is an offensive catalyst for the Hawks. He'd be closer to the scoring leaders if he didn't take such pride in his defensive play, but he is always the first man back and the deepest forward in the defensive zone.

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