The following ramblings are in high-Dobbernition. If you click on a player name, you are taken to his profile for the full lowdown on recent line combos, stats and news (with links).

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I’ve always felt that Mathieu Perreault had scoring-line potential, but some Washington fans and insiders insisted that he was a hustling checker with third-line potential at best. But all he needed was a chance. And not just a two-game chance, or even a 10-game chance. But a real 25-game chance. With no injuries and no demotions to the fourth line if he goes four games without a point. It looks as though he is getting that chance in Anaheim and I think his numbers are the real deal. No, he’s not getting 80 points this year. But 55 or more would be a fantastic start, and it would be enough to secure his stature with the team for good. And then he can build on that. He’s enjoying chemistry with Jakob Silfverberg and they’re really helping each other in terms of production.

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I’m still waiting for my ‘Thank You’ card from Tomas Hertl. I made a pitch for him last Tuesday, offering up Elias Lindholm straight up. I did this because a) it’s a limited keeper (Keep 12) and I already have 15 keeper-worthy studs and b) I need a winger who is producing here and now, since James Neal got hurt and Troy Brouwer was blowing it. Naturally, as happens to all of us when we’re in the middle of trade talks, Hertl goes out and scores four times, scuttling any and all discussion on the matter. He knows damn well that he’s not getting those goals without my attempt at acquiring him, so yes a thank-you is in order!

By the way, I would still do this move and when the Hertl-hype dies down, the other guy would be well advised to revisit the issue (hint hint, if he’s reading). In the long run, Hertl’s upside is low-70s vs. Lindholm in the high-70s. And Hertl would need help from linemates, whereas Lindholm ‘is’ the linemate (or will be).

Speaking of Hertl, he was knocked out of Saturday’s game (shoulder) and missed practice Sunday. And speaking of Lindholm, he was injured in Friday’s game and was not in the lineup Sunday. So in hindsight, perhaps I cursed both of them.

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Although Michael Frolik picked up a pair of points late in yesterday’s game, his lack of ice time is still concerning. Before I can give him a stamp of approval as a ‘safe’ pick, he needs the confidences of his coach. He’s up to 1:14 of PP ice time now. That’s total, not ‘per game’. And he saw just 10:13 of ice on Sunday. Despite that, he has five points in six games. If he does break through that barrier and get played on the PP, it will be at the expense of Mark Scheifele, who has two points in six games. Or maybe Devin Setoguchi.

Evander Kane has 15 shots on goal in the last two games as he fought hard to break out of his mini-slump (which he did).

Al Montoya‘s first game of the year was a shutout.

How good is Jacob Trouba? He saw 26:36 of ice time Sunday, more than Byfuglien (25:36), Enstrom (21:00) and Bogosian (21:31). Trouba is second on the Jets in ice time, six minutes behind Byfuglien and eight ahead of the next highest (Enstrom). He’ll start his career as a 30 or 35-point guy for two or three years before starting to climb. Similar to John Carlson. He’ll get to 50-plus, but give him time. He’s still not on the first PP unit and that won’t happen anytime soon without an injury to Byfuglien or Enstrom.

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Jaromir Jagr saw 7:01 of PP time Sunday. Really, it’s been shades of the postseason (with Boston) for him. Sure, he’s looked great, but the puck isn’t going in. Three points in six games on the heels of 10 points in 22 playoff games. Those few poolies who were holding out hope that he could be a 60-point guy still, are starting to bail.

Damien Brunner was quick to make an impact with his new team, but the adrenalin may have worn off already. One point and minus-3 in the last three games. Just five SOG in that span, too.

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Craig Anderson got the hook after four minutes, but the game wasn't his fault – the Sens were peppered with 56 shots on goal from Anaheim sticks. Robin Lehner stopped 45 of 47 in relief. Lehner also faced 50 shots on Saturday, so within 24 hours he stopped 92 of 97 shots!

Including this one on Corey Perry…

Anderson had a shutout in the first game, but has been merely average since then. He’s streaky and his hefty contract will see to it that he continues to get the heavy workload. No threat from Lehner. Yet.

J-G Pageau’s ice time dipped to 11:03 Saturday and then 3:02 Sunday. In unrelated news…Mika Zibanejad has two points in three AHL games for Binghamton.

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Meanwhile, of those 56 shots on goal, Sami Vatanen had seven of them and Hampus Lindholm six (he also had two points and was plus-4).

It was the battle of the ‘Bobby Ryan‘ trade and although Ryan was the only one involved in that trade who scored, the Ducks won the game big time.

Jonas Hiller is still undefeated, so I’m sure the Ducks will ride him until he falters. That’s how you hang onto your No.1 job. Play like this. Huge relief for me, as I traded Mike Smith for him last season because I thought Smith would become a free agent in the summer (Smith re-signed with the Coyotes days later, causing me to kick something).

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Speaking of Smith, he’s won two straight and is back on his game.

Something to keep an eye on – Tim Kennedy has points in each of his last two games, despite seeing just 10 minutes of ice time combined. If the ‘Yotes ever give him a shot on a scoring line, I’d be interested to see how he does. It’s a long shot, but those are what I like digging up when the WW bones are picked clean.

Then again…Paul Bissonnette also has points in each of his last two games, so never mind. Move along.

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Nathan Gerbe continues to roll, with points in four straight now. I won my claim on him Sunday, so I’m putting my money where my mouth is. Now if only I could put James Neal on injured reserve in Fantrax (anyone else have that problem?). Anyway, Gerbe replaced Nieto on my roster. I did this knowing that Nieto was replacing Hertl on the Thornton line and looking alright there.

Ryan Murphy has points in three of his last four games. Ice time starting to creep up a little, too.

Backup goalie Anton Khudobin needed help leaving the game last night. The injury could be serious, so look for Cam Ward to bang out a slew of consecutive starts (which he probably would have anyway).

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Of major concern to me is Jiri Tlusty, who is pointless in six games. This is one case where the advanced stats pointed to a big step back this year, but I had disagreed. So far, the stats were right and I was wrong. But despite the slump, here were his linemates (still) on Sunday:

I consider him ‘buy low’ right now, but expectations for this season are tempered. (get line combos anytime you want, for any time via the link along the menu up top)

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Ben Scrivens first game for the Kings on Sunday was a shutout.

I’m actively working on landing Slava Voynov in any league that I can get him. I’m hoping for an owner who is panicking. No luck yet

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Although fit to play, Nick Bjugstad was a healthy scratch for Florida Sunday.

Is Jonathan Huberdeau looking at a sophomore slump? Three points in six games isn’t bad…but minus-5 with just eight shots is terrible.

Since notching an assist in his first game as a Panther, Tom Gilbert has been pointless and a minus-3 since.

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Michael Raffl, who was called up to replace Vinny Lecavalier, played on a line with Schenn and Simmonds on Saturday. He saw 13:10 of ice time, but zilch on the PP. He has three points in two AHL contests. You can read more on Raffl in his fantasy profile – here.

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Bobby Ryan was mic’ed up for his goal, love his reaction:

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Tripping?