Philadelphia prospect Claude Giroux, who nearly made the team this season, is on a tear in the Quebec League. The 19-year-old has 41 points in 22 games to lead all QMJHLers in scoring. He is also on a 12-game point streak in which he has 13 goals and 12 assists. Giroux is ranked fourth on my Prospects list for a reason.

The Oilers issued a press release saying that Sheldon Souray is sidelined indefinitely with his shoulder injury. Weird press release, but I guess it's to dissuade  people from thinking that he is close to a return. Between you and me – I think he wrenched his shoulder too hard signing that big contract.

Anaheim has acquired Geoff Platt from the Jackets. They gave up Aaron Rome and  Clay Wilson. Platt is an underrated, but undersized forward who can line up at any position. He has had a weak start to his AHL season, but looked solid in the NHL late last season. Click here for more on my take…

Jacques Martin said Cory Murphy (bruised shoulder) would not be ready to play Thursday, but he expects to have Bryan Allen (concussion) back.

Fleury will start tonight for the Penguins against the Isles.

The Flyers have officially conceded that Simon Gagne has a concussion. I think we all knew that anyway, in fact I thought they had already admitted it…but apparently not. They admitted it yesterday. He is getting guidance from Keith Primeau – who is an expert in feeling concussion symptoms. He is still out for at least another week and he says he is prepared to sit out a month if need be.

Sami Kapanen will not play tonight.

Alex Auld will get the start tonight for Phoenix. 

Shea Weber returned to practice yesterday. He is tentatively scheduled to return to the lineup Saturday.

Henrik Zetterberg's 17-game point streak is over. He was shut out for the first time this season last night.

The 'Bulin Wall will get the start for Chicago tonight.

Brent Sopel missed last night's contest because of the flu.

There is a chance that Manny Fernandez will not be ready for tonight's game. Seeing as he will be the backup anyway, this news shouldn't impact you.

Surprise surprise, the NHL decided that Chris Pronger did not start the fight in overtime Tuesday and as such he will not be suspended. If it was George Parros, we all know that he would be suspended without second thought.

Todd Bertuzzi stated that he has had no concussion symptoms for four days. He could be back as early as next week.

Florida's David Booth has four points in his last two games. He is a LW, and some of you my find him useful on a temporary basis. 

Jamie Langenbrunner returned the Devils lineup to play his first game of the season and he took under a minute to score his first goal. He added his second goal later in the game.

Jarret Stoll left last night's contest after hurting his knee in a knee on knee collision. He later returned to the game though. Not that his fantasy owners noticed – he's been a real dog this year.

Dwayne Roloson flew home early to rest for his anticipated start against Minnesota. Mathieu Garon stopped all 29 shots he faced, plus all three shootout attempts for the 1-0 win. Jeff Delauriers was called up to be his backup for just the one game.

Derick Brassard collided with a teammate in practice (in Syracuse) and sustained a broken jaw. It will keep him out of the lineup for 2-8 weeks.

Duvie Westcott returned to the Columbus lineup. He replaced Ole-Kristian Tollefsen, who was out with a hand injury.

Washington prospect Eric Fehr has avoided having surgery on his back, and doctors hope that simple rest will do the trick. He is still far – far away from returning to the ice. George McPhee said "we're hopeful", when he was asked if Fehr would return to the Washington lineup this season.

Ryan Carter has been recalled by the Ducks.

Krystofer Kolanos has signed a contract with Calgary's minor league team, Quad City.

Erik Cole (neck) and Andrew Ladd (ankle) missed last night's contest. Both are day to day, although Ladd is very close. David Tanabe saw some time as a forward as a result.

Cory Stillman was a horrible minus-4 last night. So was Eric Staal…but the NHL changed him to minus-2 overnight. I don't know why they always do that, but plus/minus numbers always undergo extreme adjustments between evening and morning. Vincent Lecavalier and Martin St.Louis were each a plus-5.

Shawn (the Master) Bates is finally ready to return to action and he has been assigned to Bridgeport for conditioning. His return to the NHL lineup will hurt the ice time of the likes of Bergenheim and he may see decent offensive numbers in his first game or two as the adrenalin pumps.

Jason Spezza is expected back in the lineup tonight and will play on the second line. As a result of his return, Nick Foligno has been reassigned to Binghamton.

New Jersey signed Erik Rasmussen to a contract and assigned him to Lowell for conditioning.

Todd White is now centering both Kovalchuk and Hossa. He has five points in his last five games. Although he is a bandaid boy, grab him immediately and ride the hot streak that is to come.

Pavol Demitra is back on the ice for the Wild, but do not expect him back in the lineup until late next week.

Marian Gaborik is expected back in the lineup tonight. Ho hum. We'll see.

Speaking of groins – Kari Lehtonen is also about a week away from returning for Atlanta.