Marcus here, Sanford injured himself during practice and was replaced by Schneider after the first period. The Canucks have traded a 7th rounder for Jason Labarbera. Schneider will go back to Manitoba and Labarbera will be the starter until Luongo returns. Pick up Labarbera NOW!!!

 

I should add that – until my newborn settles into a schedule, the ramblings will be all over the place – some at 3am, some at 8am, some at noon, etc. So keep checking back

 

Ben Maxwell is still looking for his first point after six games. He is ranked 140 on my FPL.

 

Since returning from his injury, Andrei Kostitsyn has four points in two contests. He is a steal right now in any pool.

 

Rene Bourque has nine points in his last seven contests. With Glencross out, Bourque seems to be the guy for secondary scoring right now.

 

JP Dumont – just two points in his last eight games. The Preds have lost seven of their last 10. They have 22 goals in 13 games in December and Dumont was in on eight of them. Things will come around, but I think they will need to call up Mike Santorelli, who has 37 points in 31 AHL games – or else wait for Steve Sullivan, expected back in about three or four weeks. Ryan Jones is another option. He has 17 in 17 in the AHL.

 

Pekka Rinne giving up five goals after Ellis was chased Sunday…blew a shot at stealing the No.1 job. The contest continues!

 

TJ Hensick again saw fewer than 11 minutes last night, but managed to be a plus-3, which bodes well for future ice time.

 

John-Michael Liles: seven points in his last three games.

 

Good ol' Hitchcock. The Blue Jackets have 23 goals in 13 December games. Zzzzzzzzzzzz. Good work guys. Bore your fans as you post a .500 record and miss the playoffs. Hitchcock, Lemaire and Trotz (among others) are cancers to fantasy hockey – and some would say hockey altogether (I'm one of the "some"). If the Jackets played run and gun hockey, the fans would be far more entertained and I would bet their record would be 12-18-2 instead of 16-16-4 and players like Voracek and Nash would develop a whole lot quicker – not to mention they would be icons in Ohio.

 

RJ Umberger has been shut out of 10 of the December contests.

 

And although there is zero fantasy implications here, I need to finally mention Claude Lemieux has signed with San Jose. The 43 year old I am sure will get into some playoff contests as a fourth liner who plays four minutes a game. As you know, I love weaselly agitators who try to get away with stuff – so yes, I like Lemieux, Avery, Barnaby, etc. Here is my favorite Lemieux play – he punches Brett Lindros while sitting on the bench. Hilarious!

[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cP3_zJgv6-o]

 

Devin Setoguchi missed last night's contest due to the death of his grandmother. Jamie McGinn took his spot in the lineup, but played just over five minutes. McGinn has a bright future and should be a regular in two years and a semi-regular in one. He is ranked 72nd on my fantasy prospects list (and rising). He doesn't have Setoguchi's upside, but could certainly garner 70 points one day.

 

Christian Ehrhoff was off to a scorching start, but has since hit a wall. Last night he was a healthy scratch.

 

Trent Hunter was ridden into the boards by Ryan Callahan, right where the bench door was open. He left the game with a sore back and had trouble breathing. I would be surprised to see him play this week.

 

Nigel Dawes now has six points in six games and his with Mike Comrie was a nice bonus to roto leaguers. I stuck the fight below – too bad Dawes kept his visor on. Cheating, in my books. He lost anyway.

 

You know, Phoenix was impressed with Freddy Sjostrom's skill level and gave him a lot of rope – lots of ice time on good lines. He'd make the moves, but in the end nothing happened. New York has been dazzled by Sjostrom in the same way, but it's the same result. The guy has one point in his last 18 games and four in 37 on the year. Dawes has more than that in the last six. It was a mistake to scratch Dawes in favor of Sjostrom, I still stand by that. Renney needed to let Dawes work himself out of it.

 

The 'Canes have placed Frantisek Kaberle on waivers in an attempt to free up some salary. I can't see a single team being able to give him the situation needed for him to become valuable fantasy asset. Accept maybe the Sens, but that would only last until Kuba comes back. So Kaberle's value is nil.

 

[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58OdzsVlf5Q]