Midseason Guide – out Friday – buy it here.

Bit of an “OOPS”. I just noticed on the sales page that the Midseason Guide is released on January 9. This is WRONG, I assure you. The Midseason Guide is out on January 7 – a Friday. I would never release a guide at the end of a weekend. Always before a weekend. That’s when drafts happen. Sorry for any confusion. We’ll fix the sales page to read January 7 ASAP

The Tribune’s Erik Erlendsson is reporting that the Lightning have signed MA Bergeron to a two-way contract pending a physical. Expect him to play in the AHL on a conditioning stint, and then have a similar short-term impact as James Wisniewski – as in two weeks of greatness beginning in mid-January. Whether or not he can keep that going all depends on…well, him. A perfect example of what will be in the Midseason Guide – the projection and impact of Mr. Bergeron.

I should have specified below re: the WJC – the games are tomorrow. Re-reading that statement…I can see how dumb it looks.

In the nearly three full games that Ryan Whitney has missed so far, Tom Gilbert has two points and has logged about 27 minutes of ice time per contest.

Canada will play Russia for the Gold. Game time is 7:30pm ET (Bronze game is at 3:30pm ET)

As soon as Canada stopped playing Olivier Roy, I felt better about the team. Mark Visentin has played well and is underrated. But Canada really dominated versus US. I’m a big fan of Casey Cizikas.

Carolina recalled their youngsters – you know, the ones who made the team initially but weren’t ready? Well, they’re ready now. Zac Dalpe and Zach Boychuk have been great. Dalpe has scored in both games since the recall, and Boychuk has four points in his last four games.

Why patience in fantasy hockey pays off: Jamie McBain has six points in his last 10 games and is now seeing a ton of PP time and ice time in general. Hang in there, don’t write him off just yet. I think 40 is still achievable, but we’ll see what they do when Pitkanen returns.

Jussi Jokinen is apparently back by next game.

Michal Frolik has 12 points in his last 13 games.

James Reimer took the loss for the Leafs, but how can you fault him when he stops 31 of 33? His SP so far is 0.957.

John Tavares is heating up and the Isles are starting to roll. With Josh Bailey back and confident, and PA Parenteau now producing like a second-liner, this team is starting to play much better. And I grabbed Andrew MacDonald and Bailey off the wire just in time. MacDonald had his second straight two-point game. The team is giving him 27 minutes a game right now – I didn’t see it in him, but kudos to Jeff Angus for bringing him to my attention and pumping him up.
Tavares has 13 points in his last nine contests.

But then Rick DiPietro gets hurt…again… hey, didn’t I speculate on the Isles and Leighton yesterday?

For now though, Nathan Lawson is the man! Or do the Isles recall Kevin Poulin? THAT would be interesting. My money is on a waiver claim.

Mason Raymond has a point in each of the two games since his return. He played with Tambellini and Kesler.

Rene Bourque has three points in his last 12 games. Matt Stajan has two. Even when Stajan was a checker on the Leafs early in his career, I don’t think he was so unproductive.

Jonathan Toews returned to action and played nearly 20 minutes, picking up two points.

Some solid lines for Chicago with a healthy lineup: Bolland with Kane and Pisani; Toews with Hossa and Brouwer; Sharp with Kopecky and Bickell; Johnson with Skille and Stalberg.

Edmonton has recalled Linus Omark.

Mikkel Boedker has been sent back to the AHL.

The three stars last week – Varlamov, Doan and Lidstrom.

The AHL player of the month goes to Montreal prospect David Desharnais, my latest small player man-crush who will probably never get a legit NHL chance. Especially on this team of smurfs.

Other notable AHLers with strong Decembers: Tomas Tatar, Spencer Machacek, Oscar Moller, TJ Hensick, Petr Prucha, Matt Calvert and Jonathan Cheechoo.

Johan Hedberg will get the next start for the Devils, surprise surprise

The gap in SP between Tim Thomas and Tuukka Rask is now 0.018. Two months ago it was 0.068.

Beauty goal by Filppula

Finland vs Russia highlights, because I spend so much time talking about the games Canada is in and not enough about the others: