Hockey Rambling

 Rankings are up and on the front page. Defense rankings are also done (not on front page) - for the second month in a row we have a new leader: Brian Rafalski finally takes a turn as the most coveted defenseman in points-only keeper leagues that count playoffs.  Smack1919 answered the trivia question. Nine players who [...]

 The Preds have acquired Hugh Jessiman from the Rangers for futures, and Tim Ramholt from the Flyers for Josh Gratton. not of fantasy significance. Huge Specimen is pointless in six AHL contests, so this clean slate will be nice for him - perhaps he could turn his career back around. I'll keep an eye on [...]

 Further to my CBJ line combo note below, it looks like Umberger will be the one moved to the wing, while Brassard remains center. That would make more sense, because Umby was there on the wing in Philly.  The Isles have sent Jack Hillen down to the AHL. He remains a solid D prospect, but could [...]

 An interesting piece in the Tennessean comparing Radulov's situation with Semin's from a couple of years ago...  My power number article in the Vancouver Sun, although the online version doesn't make it look very nice...  Rick Rypien will be out indefinitely with a sports hernia - he will undergo surgery.  Some Blues news: Chris Mason (appendectomy) is [...]

 Ovechkin has gone back to Russia to tend to his ailing grandfather. He will miss tomorrow's game. The Caps play just twice this week so if you want to risk benching him for both games, that might be wise.  Tom Poti is targetting a return to the lineup of this weekend. He has been out with [...]

 Andrei Kostitsyn will reportedly return to the lineup on Tuesday from his concussion. Pascal Leclaire left last night's contest with an undisclosed injury. With two more points last night, Ryan Kesler now has nine points in eight games. This is his fifth NHL season, and it is looking like a breakout one for him. That being said, [...]

 Brett Sterling finally got into the Atlanta lineup and wouldn't you know it - he scored a goal. Imagine that, an offensive player helping a team that needs offense by scoring a goal. Who would have thought it possible? Hopefully Anderson leaves him in the lineup and gives him opportunity. He played 11 minutes last [...]

 I have THREE very exciting announcements, so rather than clog the ramblings, I stuck them all HERE in the forum . Dobber - Spoofed! You can read more in today's Daily Seagull .  Jason Arnott was back in the Preds lineup last night and picked up two points.  Nashville scratched Patric Hornqvist for the first time, but [...]

 Angus here with some mid-afternoon updates. Pavol Demitra will be out for three to four weeks with torn rib cartilage. In that time he will be campaigning for VP of the Band-Aid Boy club. His absence opens up a spot on the second line for Kyle Wellwood.  Pierre-Marc Bouchard and Marek Zidlicky are BOTH playing tonight for [...]

 Chicago has sent down Jack Skille. He wasn't get the ice time, and Kris Versteeg has been nothing short of marvelous. Troy Brouwer has been recalled. He, Skille and Petri Kontiola will rotate recalls throughout the year, with the best of the three perhaps getting in 35 games and 15 points. Ryan Getzlaf missed last night's [...]