Angus here, popping in for a moment before I head off to watch some women’s curling!

Andy Strickland is reporting that Tomas Kaberle IS willing to waive his NTC. Quite a change from even a few weeks ago… However, he wants to stay in the Eastern Conference.

I’ll have an article out this week covering two fantasy sleeper picks that have gained some attention at the Olympics – Mats Zuccarello Aasen for Norway, and Czech centre Roman Cervenka.

Roberto Luongo to start tomorrow, per Puck Daddy.

For checking Patric Hornqvist in the head, Joni Pitkanen has been suspended and will not play Wednesday in the quarterfinals. Hornqvist needed help off the ice. This could impact Hornqvist when NHL play resumes.

A great thing about Team USA if they win the gold – hockey coverage and interest in the United States will increase. A USA gold combined with an NFL lockout and blammo – the NHL could enjoy the popularity it had in the early to mid 90s

The United States have their way paved in gold. To get to the Final, they need to beat Switzerland (unless somehow Belarus beats Swiss), then either Finland/Czech. Meanwhile, Canada – if they get by Germany – will face Russia in the Quarter-Finals. That means that either Canada can win a medal or Russia can win a medal – but NOT both. Pretty amazing, eh? But everything’s coming up Millhouse for the US of A.

We all love to play the blame game and given that I wanted Luongo to start for Canada I am pretty tempted to do the obvious. But I don’t blame the loss on the decision to start Brodeur – how can you get upset over that? But I really did think it was obvious from the Swiss game that Brodeur was not in his zone. At all. Maybe Luongo isn’t in his zone either, but we’ll never know unless we start him. No, my main blame game is Corey Perry’s effort on that puck in his own zone in the final minute. He does realize that it’s an important game, right?

Team USA is very underrated, I’ve been saying that since the team was announced – and Ryan Miller, plain and simple, was awesome. He is in that zone that I spoke of above.

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So Iginla gets a hat trick in the first game playing with Crosby and Nash. Then, for whatever reason, Babcock decides that he doesn’t deserve to be there. They try Bergeron, Toews and Richards there – nobody lasts more than two periods there. Iginla goes back on the line and they score late in the game and had tons of other scoring chances.

Washington prospect Francois Bouchard has 40 points in his last 49 games and seven in his last seven. Pierre-Marc’s little brother, I believe, will make the team in 2011-12.

Chris Bourque, despite playing a big chunk of the season for the Pittsburgh Penguins, is 33rd in AHL scoring with 43 points in 29 games. He has the AHL completely figured out – it took him five years. What makes people believe that he should have the NHL figured out any quicker? Small players are 26 before they start making an impact offensively at the NHL level. I’m not saying that Bourque is a lock. I’m saying that if he does produce in the NHL, it won’t be for two years. That’s why you’ve been seeing a little bit out of Ryan Shannon over the past year (in spurts), and why you won’t see big numbers from Nathan Gerbe next year – even though he should make the Sabres full time.

Luca Caputi – two more points yesterday. Further to my observation on him from yesterday morning…

After managing just two points in 14 games, Tomas Tatar scored for Grand Rapids yesterday. He has made an excellent transition to North American pro hockey and could be a Red Wing as early as 2011-12 given their cap situation. If he can get close to a point-per-game in the AHL next year, than I think he’ll make the jump.

Attention Toronto area fantasy fanatics: re: March 21 Marlies game. My luxury box sold out quickly here – $35 got you in the box with myself, Russ Miller, Brent Lemon and Steve “Notch” Johnson, food included and beer available. Well, they gave me a second box beside this one even though this game is completely SOLD OUT (it will be on CBC – they play Abbottsford). I have eight SEVEN tickets now up for sale to watch hockey in style – and talk fantasy hockey with the experts. Buy it HERE. Also, still with the Marlies – I have sold 36 tickets for the Marlies game on March 27 for charity. That’s right – 36 kids via the Children’s Aid Society will get to watch Toronto and Rochester thanks to your generosity! For just $15 you can help me reach my goal of 50 kids going to the game. Buy one HERE!