Any FANTASY HOCKEY GUIDES that are ordered will be emailed within 45 minutes.

Derek Roy now has 12 points in three games. He is a very streaky player and it looks as if he will carry this streak into the start of the season. He makes an excellent early pickup in your roto league.

Maxim Afinogenov and Tim Connolly were both back in the lineup yesterday.

The Buffalo News is reporting that the Sabres are probably going to start the season with Roy, Vanek, Afinogenov, Connolly and Pominville as their five-man PP unit. If this works out, then Brian Campbell loses fantasy value. It also opens the door for some shorthanded goals against.

The Sens have recalled goaltender Brian Elliot, indicating that Ray Emery may not be ready to open the season this week. His wrist surgery is taking a while to heal, so bench him and expect him to be out for at least the opening two games against Toronto.

Yesterday's decision to take Sheppard over Pouliot was a developmental one. The team loved how well Pouliot played in the end, but the decision came down to this: if Sheppard was cut, he would have to play in junior, whereas Pouliot could play in the AHL. They prefered Sheppard play against stronger competition. Expect anywhere from 20 to 50 points (no help, I know), as the team may not play him every game (they only played Bouchard and Burns 50 and 36 games in their rookie seasons).

Lemaire on Pouliot: "He was in a dark room, very dark, until a little more than a week ago," Lemaire said. "Now — and this is exactly what I told him, I said, 'Now you know what I think? I think you'll be a player.' "

The Flames were not happy enough with Grant Stevenson or Carsen Germyn and so they signed Mark Smith and sent the two down to the minors. 

Alexander Semin will not play today. I said that he left the game on Friday in the third, well the team is still playing down the injury, but it is actually a mild sprain. He may not open the season for them, but he will not be out for long.

If you haven't selected a site to run your fantasy hockey pool yet, take a look at this:

In his first career NHL game, Jonathan Bernier stopped 26 of 27 shots. Not bad. He'll get his nine-game opportunity and if he continues to play like this the Kings will hang onto him all year as their No.1.

Brady Murray also made the Kings, but has little fantasy value. 

Both Milan Lucic and David Krejci have likely made the Boston Bruins. Lucic will have little offense in his first year and may be returned to junior by the 10th game. Krejci should post 35-45 points as a rookie, with more to come in the future.

It looks as if Brandon Dubinsky made the team. He will center the third line. Marc Staal has also made the team, but his talent lies in the intangibles – not the numbers.

Despite Chris Conner's three-point effort last night, he could still be sent to the minors. The Stars still have an extra player. If Conner makes this team, he is a dark horse to produce 50-plus points. A scenario of him play 60 games and getting 35 points would be more likely though. His upside/career potential is 65 points.

Bought the Pool Guide? Here is a one-page supplemental sheet to give you the update.

Cuts of note from Saturday night/Sunday morning:

Prust, Germyn, Stevenson, Calgary

Kreps, Stewart, Florida

Kalus, Pouliot, Belle, Minnesota

Downie, Philadelphia

Those of you new to DobberHockey, please note that I update the ramblings several times in a day. To read yesterday's ramblings, click "Next" below.