Ryan Kesler has five points in his last two games and has seen over 20 minutes (per game) of ice time over the last four games. He has 10 points in 10 games. He also had nine in the first eight of the season. It's in between that was the problem (11 in 33).

Dallas has placed Sean Avery on waivers. What you are seeing here is Avery getting another step closer to becoming a Ranger again. Again I say – don't expect him in the NHL before March, but it's starting to look as though he will be back this season.

Jakub Voracek is doubtful for today's game due to a UBI.

The Penguins have returned Alex Goligoski to the AHL. He'll get a lot of ice time down there, but has no place in a healthy PIT lineup. The Pens need to make a trade and create room for this guy, who is arguably the most offensively talented rearguard in their entire system except for Gonchar. He lacks the two-way skills of Letang and Whitney, but from a pure offense point of view Goli is tops in my books. Potentially, that is.

As I said would happen on Dobber Nation and repeatedly in these ramblings – Pekka Rinne is No.1 in Nashville.  I even hinted at it in the preseason guide. All the naysayers who argued with me in the forum – you know I love to gloat. Please read this link . I especially love how the headline really drives the point home.

With Tomas Holmstrom out for three weeks (yes, you know it will be on the early end of the range given), the Wings will rotate Helm and Leino into their lineup. However, if Leino keeps producing, they'll give up this rotation by the fifth or sixth game and he'll just keep getting thrown in there with Datsyuk and Hossa. Need a winger? Leino is worth the risk.

Mark Streit's shoulder injury sounds as though it will keep him out for at least two or three more games.
Eric Staal possibly missing today's game will mean Matt Cullen is the No.1 center. Cullen has 11 in his last nine and is a plus-6.

How many of you are disappointed Loui Eriksson owners? His team scores 10 times and he comes away without a point.

Steve Ott and James Neal, however, are still flying. Ott is on a seven-game points streak and has 14 in his last 11 and 16 PIMs, four PPG and is a plus-5. Neal has eight in his last five, and has three PPG's and is a plus-7 with 17 shots in that span.

The Caps have announced that they will not replace Johnson via other teams. The backup job is Neuvirth and Varlamov's (when he's healthy).

Viktor Kozlov (groin) will not play today. Brooks Laich (leg contusion) might play. Laich skated this morning.

The Caps recalled Alexandre Giroux, he of many many AHL goals this year. Don't pick him up, his numbers haven't translated into the NHL.

Carolina prospect Bobby Hughes, who has fallen all the way to 180 on my prospects list, has been reassigned to the ECHL.

With the injury to Visnovsky (could be out for the season, stay tuned), the Oilers recalled d-man Theo Peckham. JF Jacques is back from his back injury and the Oilers have returned he and Ryan Potulny to the AHL.

The Wild's Kurtis Foster will make his season debut Sunday. He is a talented and improving offensive defenseman, but like Whitney, Sullivan and Sundin – he'll need three or four weeks to get his wind and start producing. Start him when February turns to March.

I will be on Hardcore Sports Radio on Sirius 98 today at around 12:10

Toronto/Southern Ontario area readers – make sure you check in Monday afternoon for the Big Daddy of all announcements.