Calgary has re-signed Rene Bourque to a six year deal, worth $3.3 million annually. Upon first glance it seems like a fair deal for both sides. Bourque is a bit of a band-aid boy, but on many nights he is the straw that stirs the Flames offense. He should be a consistent 20-30 goal guy each and every season.

Alex Auld has cleared waivers.

Minnesota has extended one of my favourite players in the league, Cal Clutterbuck. The deal is for three seasons and carries a cap hit of $1.4 million.

Dallas has waived Alex Auld, to make room for the recently acquired Kari Lehtonen. Auld will definitely be picked up. I think the Flames should put a claim in on him, as he is a vastly superior goalie compared to Curtis McElhinney. (Didn’t even need to look up the spelling for his name, finally!)

I am writing the ramblings a bit early this evening because I will be out watching the Canada/Russia game. It will either be a great night or a really depressing one. Some quick thoughts on the game…

I am glad Russia is starting Evgeni Nabokov. I think Bryzgalov is a superior goalie right now, and would do better with all of the traffic Canada plans to throw at the net.

I love the "checking" line of Nash, Richards, and Toews. Both Richards and Toews are absolute puck hounds, and Nash is dominant with the puck in the offensive zone.

Drew Doughty is amazing. Can't say enough good things about what he can do on the ice.

Looking for Olympic stats? This site has everything you will ever need…

There were a lot of AHL call-ups today, as some teams need to temporarily fill in gaps at practice with players away at the Olympics.

Sounds like Dan Hamhuis may be on the trading block. He started out his career with Nashville as a two-way guy, and even posted a 38 point season. However, with the emergence of Weber and Suter as the two offensive guys on the back end, Hamhuis has put a lid on his offensive game. His production could skyrocket again back to the 40 point mark if he is given power play duties on a different team. He moves the puck well and has a decent shot, but Nashville feels they can maximize his value to the team by using him primarily in a shutdown role.

Andreas Lilja has finally been cleared to return to the Detroit lineup, after missing almost exactly a calendar year of hockey. He has no fantasy upside, but  should make Detroit a better defensive team.

Expect Dennis Seidenberg to be dealt very shortly after the trade freeze lifts. I am hearing Vancouver is interested, along with at least five or six other clubs. His offensive stats (on pace for 30 points) will probably dip a bit if he gets dealt to a contender, as he is playing close to 23 minutes a night with the Panthers.

Both Benoit Pouliot and Andrei Kostitsyn practiced today. Kostitsyn will have a huge impact upon his return, especially with his brother Sergei playing so well. It will be interesting to see whether Pouliot can keep up the torrid goal scoring pace he was on with the Habs before getting injured.

Pekka Rinne has signed a two-year extension with the Predators, worth just under $7 million. This clears things up for poolies who own Rinne. Dan Ellis probably won't be back unless he is willing to take a pay cut. There will be a ton of activity this summer involving goalies, as there are several big names that will be made available, either as free agents or on the trade block.

Aside from being able to watch awesome hockey for two weeks, the Olympic Break has given poolies a chance to take a look at other leagues, most notably the AHL and the CHL. Unfortunately, I have been too busy with all of the Olympic festivities going on in the city to pay much attention to anything else!

Mats Zuccarello Aasen was absolutely spectacular on Tuesday night against Slovakia. He went up against Zdeno Chara all night, and did not back down a single inch (nor did any other Norwegians). Expect him to get an NHL contract very, very soon. Vikingstad, who boasts perhaps the best name in hockey, also had a very strong game.

Kudos must be given to a completely exhausted Swiss team for a real fight against the Americans. Jonas Hiller was sensational, and the Swiss were running on fumes after the first period.

The Thrashers won't be naming a new captain this season, per coach John Anderson.

Tampa Bay has fired assistant coach Wes Walz, after he declined the head coaching position with their AHL affiliate in Norfolk. Bizarre situation, as the head coach of Norfolk was promoted to replace Walz as an assistant with the big club just before this.

Thanks again to all of the sponsors for the first ever DobberHockey Olympic Pool! The Sports Lettering Company graciously donated the Yzerman jersey, and various DobberHockey members donated the other prizes, including Sin Bin who stepped up big time with a signed Jagr jersey!

Expect my ramblings to pick up again once the Olympics end! I am usually out at night, and have taken a bit of a step back from my fantasy leagues for the time being. It isn’t every year, or even every four years, that the Olympics are in your home city!