Let's start with some injury updates:

Earlier this week, we learned that Anthony Duclair had injured his Achilles but didn't know how long he would be out. Now we know that following surgery, Duclair is expected to miss the first half of the season. This is an unfortunate break for Duclair and the Panthers, but they could use LTIR to load up their roster during the offseason, then worry about who to drop later as long as they are not facing other significant injuries during the season. Does that remind you of anyone?

At this point you can probably ignore Duclair in standard-size league drafts but keep an eye on him during the season for an expected return date. Deeper leaguers could probably keep him on an IR spot until he returns, as the well-travelled forward has been playing the best hockey of his career with the high-scoring Panthers.

Alexei Toropchenko is expected to be out until early December after undergoing shoulder surgery. Toropchenko played 28 games for the Blues this past season, recording just two points (both goals). He adds an element of physicality with 69 hits over those 28 games (nearly 2.5 HITS/GP).

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I had started the Rick Bowness to Winnipeg article on Friday, but I didn't finish it as I was waiting for the official announcement. Even though the Jets still list Dave Lowry as the interim head coach on their website as I write this, I decided to finish the article since I think there are several takeaways from the hiring that I wanted to share. You can read it here. If for whatever reason Bowness is not hired, I'll pull it down later.

Friday was busy with a couple of other coaching changes (Bougher out in San Jose, Montgomery hired in Boston).

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This is quite a disturbing story regarding goalie prospect Ivan Fedotov:

The war in Ukraine could have implications on the NHL draft and perhaps even Russian players as they return to the NHL. From what I read elsewhere, most Russian players have returned to their home country for the summer (Fedotov's Flyers teammate Ivan Provorov is one exception, according to this source). The reason is simple: they want to spend time with their families and friends. I don't think the Fedotov news warrants immediate concern for any Russian players that you have on your keeper league roster. However, it could affect draft position as the divide expands between Russia and the rest of the world.

As for Fedotov, he is a 6-8 goalie looking to compete for the Flyers backup job. He's posted some fantastic numbers in the KHL, and at age 25 is actually older than Carter Hart. If Hart can't get his career back on track, the 2015 7^th round pick Fedotov might turn out to be a viable alternative for the Flyers. Russian goalies such as Igor Shesterkin and Ilya Sorokin have starred in the NHL after completely dominating the KHL, although there's no way you should bet your first-born's education fund on a goalie's success.

Jumping way ahead and assuming that Fedotov can't leave Russia, the Flyers have another goaltending prospect in Felix Sandstrom, who the Flyers recently signed to a two-year extension. Sandstrom is also older than Hart (also 25 years of age), so I might be reaching by referring to Fedotov and Sandstrom as prospects. Of the two goalies, I'd consider Sandstrom the safer pick for NHL games (he has five already), but I like Fedotov's upside more – you may have to be patient for another season or two if Putin's cronies don't cooperate. Goalies are difficult to track, so again, take this all with a grain of salt. Regardless, both are in the Fantasy Prospects Report, which you can purchase here.

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Speaking of the Fantasy Prospects Report, it has now been updated to include the Mock Draft. To explain, your existing PDF file may not show the mock draft. So what you do is go back to the Downloads section of this website and download another copy. That version will show the mock draft.

What does the Mock Draft include? Three rounds' worth of picks from Dave Hall and Hadi Kalakeche from Dobber Prospects. These are two guys that know their prospects, as I am familiar with both from their previous work on The Journey. Find out who they like from Pick 1 through 97, with explanations provided from picks 1-65. The draft starts on Thursday, so this is great pre-reading for what to expect before you make your own league entry draft picks or simply want to stay on top of the latest prospects.

I guess this is my final Ramblings before the draft, so this is as good a time as any to make any of my own predictions. The biggest question is often (unless it's obvious) who will go first overall. Even though a draft insider or two have suggested otherwise, I'm going to assume the Canadiens don't overthink it and pick Shane Wright. Maybe he wasn't outstanding in his draft season, and maybe he won't be a generational talent. Yet 94 points (32 G, 62 A) in 63 games is quite impressive, and he brings enough of everything to the table.

There have been rumors that the Devils are interested in trading the second overall pick. However, I don't think they will, and they'll use that pick to select Juraj Slafkovsky. Teams love size, and he appears to be at least close to NHL ready.

The Coyotes then select the dynamic Logan Cooley third overall. After that, I think it gets a little more interesting. Simon Nemec and David Jiricek go fourth (Seattle) and fifth (Philadelphia), although I can't decide which order. Or maybe Cutter Gauthier sneaks in there?

Want more draft coverage? Get your Prospects Guide. Or if you're on a tight budget, you can head over to Dobber Prospects and check out the DP Scouting Team's Final Rankings.

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Follow me on Twitter @Ian_Gooding for more fantasy hockey.