If the Leafs elect not to sign Josh Ho-Sang to a contract, they can't say that he wasn't at least given an opportunity. During the morning skate and during Saturday's preseason game, Ho-Sang was used on a line with John Tavares and Michael Bunting, and he was also given first-unit power-play time. The talent has always been there with Ho-Sang, but the question has always been if he could make it work with an NHL's team's coaching and management.

If you frequently visit this website or follow the Leafs, you'll already know that they've brought in a ton of forwards for their training camp, so PTOs Ho-Sang and Nikita Gusev face long odds to make the big club. That being said, Ho-Sang might be a candidate for an AHL contract if he is willing to work his way to the NHL after spending last year in Sweden. He has proven himself as an AHL scorer, so it might be more about whether he can fit in and buy into a team's system. The fact that he would be playing in his hometown will surely provide incentive.

I'm not at a point where I'd recommend purchasing penny stock in Ho-Sang. However, it will be interesting to see how this plays out. He is now 25 years of age, so I'd have to think this is his last NHL opportunity. If he doesn't find a way onto either the Leafs or the Marlies, then it's probably back to Europe.

Tavares happened to be playing in his first game since his serious injury from the first game of last season's playoffs, scoring a power-play goal. Obviously he is fine and should be drafted as normal.

Bunting also made the most of his opportunity, scoring a goal of his own. Toronto might not have been the most ideal place for him to play, but he could have an opportunity to succeed with a strong preseason.

Goalie prospect Ian Scott reinjured his groin in this game and is expected to miss time. He has played in only six games since the 2018-19 season. Joseph Woll was injured on Friday, so the Leafs' goaltending depth will be put to the test. For more on Scott and Woll, see the Leafs Dobber Prospects page.  

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In the other preseason game, James Neal scored a hat trick for the Blues. He is with St. Louis on a professional tryout, so that is certainly the right way to make an impression.  

Speaking of the Blues, they completed a minor deal on Saturday, sending Zach Sanford to Ottawa for 2016 first-round pick Logan Brown and a conditional 2022 draft pick. The 6-6 Brown has scored one goal and nine points in 30 career NHL games, and will try to make a go of it in his hometown of St. Louis after not being able to secure a full-time NHL job with the Sens. Brown has also battled injuries throughout his career.

It's possible that the Blues can use the $2 million that came off the books for Sanford to sign either Neal or Michael Frolik, who is also on a PTO. Frolik also scored a late goal in Saturday's exhibition game.

As for Sanford, I'm guessing he will battle for a middle-six spot with the Sens. At this point he's a more proven option for Ottawa than Brown. The Senators already have plenty of younger players that will attempt to make a name for themselves this season. After a 42-point pace in 2019-20, Sanford fell to just 16 points in 52 games in 2020-21 (a 25-point pace).

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According to Dominique Ducharme, Mike Hoffman's lower-body injury could keep him out of the lineup for as long as four weeks. A four-week absence could mean that Hoffman only misses the first five or six games of the season, so it may not be as bad as it looks. The injury was discovered when Hoffman was taking his physical a few days ago. Hoffman is being drafted in about two-thirds of Yahoo leagues, so if you've already drafted him, you might as well look for another option as soon as you can stash him on IR. Otherwise, there are probably similar options that you should consider drafting instead.

Hoffman's injury could open up an opportunity for Mathieu Perreault on the left wing. In recent seasons he's mainly been used as a bottom-6 forward for the Jets, but he has moved up to a top-6 spot when needed. He has benefitted from that type of deployment in the past, so keep an eye on the Habs' line combinations.

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According to Joel Quenneville, Sergei Bobrovsky has "got the net" and Spencer Knight will be "learning and observing." That's not to say Knight won't start eventually, as Bobrovsky's play will ultimately determine how much he starts. This announcement is hardly surprising, though, as we've tried to tell you all along to follow the money when trying to figure out who will start. Both goalies are worth rostering in fantasy, as the Panthers are in a strong position to earn plenty of wins.

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At Red Wings camp, Jakub Vrana hurt his shoulder just 10 minutes into Saturday's practice. He is expected to be re-evaluated Sunday, so hopefully this is nothing serious. If Vrana is forced to miss time, Bobby Ryan's chances of making the Red Wings will improve. After spending last season in Detroit, Ryan is back at camp on a PTO.

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At age 38, Curtis McElhinney has announced his retirement. Mainly a backup goalie throughout his career, the well-travelled McElhinney played for eight different teams, never playing more than 33 games in a season. Most recently, he was the backup for the Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning. All the best to him in his retirement.

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If you want to get a head start on your opponents this season, consider drafting Jeff Carter as a late-rounder. Remember that Sidney Crosby is expected to miss at least the first few games of the season, while Evgeni Malkin will be out for at least the first two months of the season.

After his career seemed destined to wither away in Los Angeles, Carter was a trade deadline pickup for the Penguins, who at the time were looking for a short-term replacement for Malkin. Carter promptly scored nine goals in 14 games while clicking on a line with Jared McCann. Carter also scored four goals in the Penguins' six-game playoff series with the Islanders. Even though McCann is no longer a Penguin, Carter is in a good spot anyway, starting training camp centering Jake Guentzel and free agent signing Danton Heinen. I wouldn't be as bullish on Carter once both Crosby and Malkin returns, but for now there's a plum opportunity.

Radim Zohorna (Dobber Prospects profile) is being given a chance to fill the other vacant center spot. The 6-6 Zohorna has been skating on a line with Jason Zucker and Kasperi Kapanen, who had been Malkin's most frequent linemates last season. Zohorna scored at a point-per-game in both the Czech league and the AHL last season while also playing eight games for the Penguins. A lot can happen between now and the start of the season, but he is one to pay attention to if you are watching any Penguin preseason games. For what it's worth, the Pens don't have a ton of prospects, which improves his chances of making the team.

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Finally, before I forget, purchase your Fantasy Guide if you haven't already. Or if you have, go back to the Downloads page on this site and download the most recent copy with the latest updates (which appear in red).

Do you want to compete against your fellow Dobber Hockey readers for a chance to become the ultimate champion? The Dobber Hockey Tiered Leagues are back! For details, click on this Forum thread. 

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For more fantasy hockey discussion, or to reach out to me, you can follow me on Twitter @Ian_Gooding