Exciting news – I have just re-released the draft list with a NEW tab. On top of the usual tabs that you already have, this tab will give you the projected power-play importance (a “1” or a “2”) and a projected plus/minus range. This is because YOU demanded it! Let me know what you think…

So far, Joakim Lindstrom is on the top line for Colorado. I don’t have a lot of faith in him, given that I had so much faith in him a few years ago. Injuries and just plain bad luck conspired to keep him out of fantasy relevance. Now 28, it seems late to burst onto the scene. But I’ve always felt he was an underrated potential second liner. Stay healthy, stay focused, and he can do this.

Couple of quick camp updates – Jeff Carter’s foot is bruised, but not broken, per Puck Rakers. And Bobby Ryan left practice yesterday with a groin injury that they say is just precautionary. Brendan Ranford was among today’s cuts by the Flyers.

Interesting to see Steven Reinprecht back in Florida's camp. The Panthers have five lines of third-line NHL players, plus Weiss, Booth and Fleischmann who could all be second liners on most teams.

Here is my Hockey News look at training camp battles (Western Conference). I'm back Saturdays on THN now (to go with my Tuesdays) and I am also back with the Wednesday mailbag (every second week for that one). Also note, I'm not writing about all teams – just the interesting battles. So some teams are not covered.

Red Wings camp battles that I didn't cover, are covered by mlive. Basically the 14^th forward spot – favorite Corey Emmerton vs. Fabian Brunnstrom, Ryan Johnson, or Chris Conner. And Mike Commodore vs. Jakub Kindl for the No.6 spot. And Ansar Khan reiterates the fact that Ian White will play with Lidstrom to start. Brunnstrom has impressed early on.

I can see this happening. Martin Brodeur re-signing and staying put. Totally fits Lou's M.O. So no, don't pick up Brodeur thinking that he'll be moved to a top team come 2012. I would lean towards him staying.

So Crosby is practicing hard and doing everything but contact? Wow, what a roller-coaster of emotions in the fantasy world. I bet if I did a daily poll over the last two weeks, closing it each day and starting a new one…I would have answers all over the map for each of those days as to when he returns. Start of season, end of season, 10 games in, 40 games in… I bet last week 75% of you would say 40 games in. And today 75% of you would say 10 games in. And the number who say "Game 1" is growing as well. Crosby practiced for the second day in a row yesterday – still no symptoms.

In the meantime, if Crosby doesn't play, I can see Dustin Jeffrey centering the third line. He's a better player than Letestu and he's on the right track in terms of getting healthy.

A Mathieu Perreault interview on his chances of making the team and how he's fully healthy and has put on some weight. I like how he makes a quick impact, but he needs to continue that momentum beyond the first two games. He could be a second-line center in the NHL or he could be a star in Europe. This year could tell us which direction he's heading.

Ryan Murphy signed an entry level contract Friday. The Carolina prospect defenseman should follow a similar path to what we saw with Ryan Ellis. But then (two years from now) we should have a clear picture as to what Kaberle, Pitkanen and McBain are doing. Lots happen in two years – injuries, retirement, trades, etc.

So do the Kings need Doughty? Nope. Allow to expand on that stupid statement. If they want to win a Stanley Cup or even a playoff round, then yes – they need Doughty. But in October, November or December do they need him? Naw. But what kind of bad feelings do you breed if you make him sweat for three months? Something to think about.

I think he'll be signed before October, but that's just me. If he isn't signed…how good with Jonathan Quick be? Not as? You have to think that his numbers take a hit, even a small one.

Do you have a son who is succeeding in hockey as a teen? Don't get Kurt Overhardt as your agent. Geez Louise, he's the brainiac behind Kyle Turris' demands of $4 million per year for three years or $3 million per year for two years. His other clients – Kesler, Carle, Zajac, Turco, Morrison, Knuble. Kesler is the only one on that list who impresses me in terms of contract history – and that's because of an offer sheet. No, I'd go with Allan Walsh (who basically brought Parenteau out of the minors – and I don't believe any other agent could have done that) and if only Mike Gillis was still around (he's still my hero for everything he did involving Bobby Holik – WOW). Kyle, seriously buddy, get another agent and save your career. Too much on the line here man.

I took Cam Barker in the 25^th round of the Expert's League, just as a (big) long-shot blue-liner who could shock everyone and get 40-plus points…and if he doesn't I'll know by Week 2 and can replace him. Well, there is another guy like that if you want to try the same thing – Anton Stralman.

Malkin, Sullivan and Kennedy was the line combo to kick things off, and they clicked. I didn't/don't have faith in Kennedy as a scoring line contributor, but stranger things have happened.

Carolina is trying (so far) Staal with Jokinen and Ponikarovsky; Ruutu with Skinner and Stewart (Skinner is a winger here).

Ottawa's Jesse Winchester is out for the preseason with a shoulder injury. No fantasy value, just more of an FYI.

TJ Galiardi has gained 20 pounds of muscle. To me, that's overkill. Too much, too quickly and difficult for the body to adjust. I'm more comfortable hearing "10".

Uh oh, here we go – Jeff Carter suffered a bruised foot when he was hit by a shot (from Rick Nash, oops). Carter has had foot issues in the past, including surgery on that same foot. The team is blowing it off as nothing, but I'm not.

Good news for Josefson and Elias owners. Peter DeBoer likes the Elias-Parise combo and the Kovalchuk-Josefson combo early on.

Peter Mueller – how do you feel?: