The Fantasy Guide can be picked up online (pdf) for $9.99 – it comes with an updated spreadsheet. Updates are all free, download as often as you’d like. Last update was Sept. 22. I’m so on the ball that I actually updated three times yesterday. I’d be shocked if a day went by over the next two weeks where I don’t do an update, so download the Guide when you need it and rest assured it will have all the latest cuts and injuries.

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The Blues have signed Brenden Morrow to a one-year deal. Morrow is unlikely to reach even 40 points, however his arrival will see to it that we rarely, if ever, see the likes of Ty Rattie or Dmitrij Jaskin this season. It may also cut into the ice time of sophomores Schwartz and Tarasenko.

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David Clarkson is looking at a 10-game suspension for leaving the bench in that brawl (shown below). Nice start in his new city!

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Sending these guys down would be nuts. Gustav Nyquist and Tomas Tatar are NHLers and it’s disturbing to see that the Red Wings have so many veteran forwards signed who are inferior players – and yet the ‘name’ and the ‘track record’ would, if push comes to shove, see to it that these vets get preference. These two are better than three-quarters of the forwards on this team. Two goals for Tatar, three assists for Nyquist last night. Not that it proves anything, since it’s preseason, but to me it adds an exclamation mark to the above point. As a mere fantasy owner, I would like to see the likes of Dan Cleary or Todd Bertuzzi in the press box while these young guns get to have at ‘er on the ice.

As it stands now, Bertuzzi is actually a frequent linemate of Nyquist. I’m just saying that if push comes to shove and you have to make room, look to the broken-down vets and not the kids on the cusp.

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Pekka Rinne owners can breathe a sigh of relief as he has recovered from his hip ailment and made his preseason debut Sunday. He played well, shutting the door for two periods against the Isles before Carter Hutton came in.

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A quick plug for Fantrax, a fantasy manager site that has steadily improved over the years – it can now handle my points-only keeper league (count top XX). Worth a look if you are in the market for a new pool manager.

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Speaking of goaltending, I’d consider drafting Jeff Zatkoff in the ‘bench’ or ‘reserve’ rounds of your draft. With Tomas Vokoun out (blood clot) and M-A Fleury sucking, you just never know. A great No.4 goalie to own at this point, and it’s easy enough to drop him in late October if it looks like Fleury has righted the ship.

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Just one game, so small sample size, but Seth Jones led all Predators in Corsi and adjusted Corsi last night (plus-9). He was on the ice for 17 shots for and just nine shots against. Craig Smith also had a strong game and was on the ice for 14 shots for and eight against.

In that same game, Ryan Stromewas a minus-4 for Corsi. As you’d expect, he was on the ice for an impressive 13 shots for, but not-so-impressive 17 shots against. As is the case most of the time when discussing fancy stats, all this does is reinforce what you already know or what you already observed from watching the game or even just looking at the regular stats – Strome is an offensive dynamo but needs work in his own zone. Does he make the team? I have to think that he gets a couple of games in, but he’ll get some precious AHL time.

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Defenseman Connor Carrick is making a strong case to make the Capitals as a 19 year old. He was a fifth-round pick last summer. Here is Carrick’s fantasy profile and outlook. But as a rookie, I wouldn’t expect more than 20 points and maybe 50 PIM over a full NHL season.

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Some chemistry for Damien Brunner as he clicked well with Patrik Elias and Jacob Josefson. The thinking in fantasy circles, if my poll is to be believed, is that Brunner will definitely play hockey in the NHL this season. But poll respondents are split as to whether or not he reaches the 40-point mark. I think he does. And if Josefson can stay healthy, he’s the real dark horse from all this.

More Devils news. Jaromir Jagr has yet to suit up for a preseason game, but the coach is confident that he plays in Game 1. How did the Devils not know this was going to happen? I won’t be drafting Jagr in any league. Not worth it. And I get the feeling that oftentimes we’ll get the heads up that he won’t be playing…about an hour before game time. It will hurt more than help.

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Zach Kassian will appear in person for a disciplinary hearing with the NHL for this high stick on Sam Gagner. An in-person meeting likely means something along the lines of five or 10 games suspension.

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It’s looking more and more as though Boone Jenner will make the Blue Jackets. Right now he’s clicking very well on a line with Brandon Dubinsky and Marian Gaborik, making him a fine dark horse. That being said, my money is on him playing a handful of games before things fizzle out and he goes down to the AHL for a season. See Jenner’s fantasy profile here.

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I’ve been impressed with prospect Josh Leivo of the Maple Leafs. He was cut from the team a few days ago, but then was called back up and looked great Saturday despite sub-par linemates. He scored again Sunday. He’s not NHL-ready, but he’s a lot closer than I thought he was a week ago. Read Leivo’s fantasy profile here.

Carter Ashton has also had a strong camp, just when I had about written him off as a potential top six forward. He’s shown a lot of bite and has chipped in timely plays. Still a year away, but what he needs to do is establish himself at the AHL level – 19 points (last season) is pretty weak. Ashton’s profile is here.

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Of note in the Blackhawks game – Brandon Saad has been moved back to the wing. Also in that link is news that Marian Hossawill be back in the lineup (probably)

Wednesday. He has been resting a UBI.

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Good news for Martin Brodeur owners – Cory Schneider has yet to allow a goal after 100 preseason minutes. Oh wait, that’s not good news at all for Brodeur owners. Sorry.

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Some notable CUTS:

Boston cut Zach Trotman and Carter Camper among others.

Colorado cut Calvin Pickard, which is worth noting because they still have Sami Aittokallio. It tells me that Aittokallio is next on the depth chart – and with J-S Giguere currently hurt (undisclosed but seems minor), that could be a big deal.

Detroit cut Tomas Jurco, Martin Frk, Xavier Ouellet, Ryan Sproul, Calle Jarnkrok and Marek Tvrdon among others.

Edmonton cut Richard Bachman, who will need to clear waivers. They also cut Oscar Klefbom

LA cut Brandon Kozun

Phoenix cut Brandon Gormley and Brendan Shinnimin

Pittsburgh cut Scott Harrington

Vancouver cut Kellan Lain

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Leafs fans – details on how to win tickets to the season opener at Maple Leaf Gardens (brought to you by ScotiaHockey NHL VISA card) – you watch the Leafs and Habs while munching on gourmet game fare and have a chance to win prizes and meet Cujo, Darryl Sittler and Johnny Bower. Sound awesome? Details on how to win a pair of tickets here. 

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Leafs vs. Sabres LINE BRAWL! Sabres take exception to the Tropp injury, and next faceoff John Scott takes a shot at Phil Kessel. That didn’t go over too well. Even Bernier and Miller squared off!:

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