Boston beat writer Kirk Luedeke reports that the Bruins have signed Carl Soderberg, and that he thinks it is a three-year deal. Soderberg still needs to secure release from Sweden, but at his age (27) he should see time in the NHL right away (it’s likely a one-way deal). More on Soderberg over at DobberProspects. We have been literally following this guy for seven or eight years, and had written him off two or three years ago.

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Jiri Hudler missed last night’s contest with a UBI. Sven Bärtschi saw 18:15 of ice time. He played with Mike Cammalleri and Roman Horak, but somehow was pointless despite his linemates scoring twice – both times that Horak got an assist, Bärtschi wasn’t on the ice. He also saw a lot of PP time.

Max Reinhart was on the second line with Stempniak and Tanguay.

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So while Miikka Kiprusoff has lost five in a row, Joey McDonald stops 39 of 40 shots for the win. Changes nothing, Kipper will get the next start I’m sure. But his heart is not in it and it’s just another nail in my Expert League coffin that began when Karlsson’s season ended. Kipper’s numbers will probably be pretty weak as he winds down his career.

Other than that last place fiasco (can’t remember the last time I was in last place), I’m having a great year. I should win one keeper, and my other two are in a position to flourish for years to come, while taking some prize money this year and a playoff trophy to boot. And then the Yahoo expert’s league I’ve somehow come back from the dead and sit in second. That’s the one I was telling you about in November how I was in last place by a country mile.

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My THN column yesterday was on PA Parenteau – and you can check it out here.

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The Flyers have signed Steve Mason to a one-year extension worth $1.5 million. They were very impressed by his, uh, period that he’s played for them. Naw, actually, they rolled the dice on getting him dirt cheap rather than watch him go on a hot run and raise the ol’ asking price.

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The Lightning have recalled Mark Barberio – he will look to get into his first career NHL game. He has 44 points in 70 AHL games this year, after posting 61 last year as the AHL’s top defenseman. However, he has zero points in his last eight games for Syracuse and I don't see him logging a lot of ice time.

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Rusty Olesz was named the AHL player of the week. Yes, he still plays hockey, how about that. He had seven points and was plus-6 in four games for Rockford. He missed most of this season with a knee injury.

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James Neal – the Penguins used the ‘C’ word. He’s out with a concussion, and Beau Bennett will ride shotgun on the Malkin line.

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Michael Chaput, the Memorial Cup MVP last year, has been recalled by the Blue Jackets. He has just 28 points in 67 AHL games as a rookie-pro, but 22 of those points have come in the last 40.

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Yes, that’s an ad. I don’t do pop ups or pop unders, so please put up with the ad I stick in the middle of most articles now. Maybe even click the good ones? And if you see a hideous or ridiculous one, please let me know so I can remove them.

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Ryan Kesler was back in the lineup and scored in I believe was his third shift. He saw 15:51 of ice time while Derek Roy saw 18:18. The line combos:

Sedin – Sedin – Burrows (well, duh)

Higgins – Roy – Hansen

Kassian – Kesler – Raymond

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Why oh why did I bench Mike Smith in favor of Craig Anderson and Sergei Bobrovsky? Smith has allowed just one goal on 65 shots since returning and playing his best hockey all season.

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Oliver Ekman-Larsson – 16 points in 22 games to start the season. Five points in 17 games since. He signed the big contract 12 games ago.

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Radek Dvorak scored twice last night. It gives him three points in five games, but more importantly he seems to be sparking Saku Koivu again. Koivu was having a great year but tailed off. Now he has four points in his last four games.

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Nail Yakupov – five points in his last four games. He’s playing with Paajarvi and Gagner in what could be a scary line in the near future.

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Since his arrival in Boston, Jaromir Jagr has three points in three games. Surprisingly, he’s seeing about 19 minutes per game – so my evaluation of the trade, early on at least, was way off.

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The last time Jeff Skinner was a plus-player in a game was February 28. Since then 19 games and minus-16. He’s not the same player since his return from a concussion – February 28.

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In the comments yesterday mabus brings up a good point. My endorsement in my guide of someone as the top rookie is a curse. I think it’s as big a curse as the EA Sports cover curse, or THN’s cover curse. My rookie chart of 40 or so rookies gives you a great group of players and many of them become fantasy worthy, but the finalists end up being ranked fifth, 19th and 30th, or something along those lines.

Still with the comments – I laughed out loud at the one joking that I was biased against other bandage companies, and that I should change Band-Aid Boys to Adhesive Bandages Boys. Good stuff.

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I have a problem. Well, I have lots of problems. But the relevant problem that I’m bringing up is with DobberBaseball‘s Pitcher Rankings. I need someone with fantasy baseball knowhow to take these monthly rankings over. Do you know your stuff? [email protected]?subject=pitcher%20rankings“>Apply within.

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Now that you’re done these ramblings, here are some more – prospect style. Ross takes a look at recent call-ups, around the OHL, and the Calder race.

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This is insane. The dive gets a 1.3 from me. And the limp to the bench gets an Oscar.

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Both Rick Nash goals from last night. I prefer the second one, starts at 2:22: