A positive CorsiRel (+1.80) despite just 45% offensive zone starts. Booth wasn’t facing the best of the best when it comes to the level of competition, but he was a solid guy to throw out there a play good hockey when the Sedins were done their shift. He’s not going to play with Kessel. He may play with Lupul. He won’t do as well offensively as Mason Raymond did, but from a possession standpoint his (advanced) numbers matched up with Raymond’s almost perfectly.

Amato will break this signing down further, later this morning.

*

Former Leaf Joe Colborne signed a two-year deal worth $1.275 million. He’s a durable guy who has improved slowly but steadily over the last three years. When he was drafted, his potential is through the roof. In the Fantasy Guide I have him projected for the following statline: 75-15-19-34, 42 PIM.

Fantasy Guide is out in nine days, by the way. “♪On the ninth day of Christmas my true love said to me ♫…!”

*

Sami Vatanen signed a two-year deal worth $2.525 million. I think you’ll find this one to be a steal for the second year of the contract, too. A potential Tobias Enstrom. Er…a potential pre-sucking Tobias Enstrom.

A what the hell, here is my projection for Vatanen (but then you have to promise to buy it!): 71-9-27-36, 42 PIM

*

Mats Zuccarello signed a one-year deal worth $3.5 million. Kind of a risky deal for both sides here. On one hand, Zuke could explode. And then the Rangers are screwed next summer. On the other hand, Zuke could implode. And then he’s fighting to get any contract next summer.

I’m writing this part of the ramblings at 8pm and when I’m done, I start on the New York Rangers in the Fantasy Guide – so I don’t have a Zuccarello projection to share with you, sorry. Right now I feel like a king when it comes to knowing everything there is to know about Anaheim through the Islanders…but I feel pretty dumb about the Rangers through the Winnipeg Jets. I love this annual analysis – I just dive full-bore into a team for about 10 hours straight. Advanced stats, depth charts, regular stats, inter-year trends, injury histories, line combos, contract years, fourth NHL seasons, goaltending situations – I soak it all in.

*

It’s a mountain out of a molehill, but it’s worth mentioning here for two reasons. One, it’s a slow time for hockey news. Two, maybe some of you would feel this could potentially be a distraction for Thomas Vanek. Yes, I’m talking about how he is being questioned in a gambling case. Only questioned. No big deal. I’m sure he didn’t bet on his own games, for example.

*

Caught this link on Twitter – Kevin Hayes, as you may or may not know (and if you don’t know, then you didn’t buy my Fantasy Prospects Report!), will probably not sign with Chicago by the August 15 deadline and thus will become a free agent. This writer speculates that he could sign with the Penguins and if that happens, well – one of Pascal Dupuis, Beau Bennett or Patric Hornqvist could lose a plum scoring-line spot.

*

A bidding war for Peter Mueller? Yeah? Yeah! In the forum back in April I had noted that he played a full, healthy season in the Swiss League and that was what we needed to look for. He’s been healthy for two seasons now and although not all that productive at the Worlds – he was productive in the Swiss League. Not draftable – but the situation is watchable.

*

What could have been:

*

Guess what? Another DobberHockey Event in Toronto. With special guest – Justin Goldman! Next Tuesday – six days from today, July 29. Perhaps a preview of the Fantasy Guide? Details here (but it’s the same bat-time, same bat-channel as the other events). Will you be there? Let me know who to expect

*

And here is my offseason fantasy outlook for The Hockey News on Columbus and Philadelphia.

*

And one quick announcement – with the site upgrade some links were broken. We’re slowly fixing them, but thanks to the help of a couple of members who volunteered their time – Chris and Bernhard – the links that are in the Prospects Report for each prospect are now fixed. I have re-uploaded the Prospects Report with those changes (and only those changes, I did not update!). If you want quick access for your research, you should download the Fantasy Prospects Report again.