Around the League

Tm	Player	Pos	NOTES
	Pavel Datsyuk	C	Missed his second game versus Colorado with an upper-body injury and considered day-to-day. Off to a slow start continuing offensive funk from the playoffs. He skated Friday and has time to recover by their next game on Thursday, and Detroit has a light schedule, making it less of an injury worry should you have to bench him, or he doesn't suit up.
	Jose Theodore	G	Capitals goalie Jose Theodore missed Saturday's game against the Nashville Predators after suffering back spasms in Thursday's win over San Jose. Semyon Varlamov played instead and may get the bulkload of starts if there are complications, although it doesn't seem like it's a worrisome case with the goaltender. Has had to deal with a lot of adversity early this season already.
	Chuck Kobasew	RW	Dealt to the Wild for a 2011 2nd round pick and prospects adding another scoring element for injury-thinned Wild up front. Will make his bones with both Martin Havlat and Petr Sykora on the shelf for indeterminate time, and likely to slide into a second line ahead of Nolan for the most part. Strong work ethic for the most part, putting in inspired efforts and working to create scoring opportunities. Gives Wild additional presence down low and along the boards. Fantasy value doesn't change much as long as Havlat returns and he remains on a top two line ahead of Nolan.
	Pavol Demitra	LW	Suffered a setback to recovery from off season shoulder surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff with what is believed to be tendonitis. The winger recently remarked about how there is still pain in the shoulder, and that he doesn't feel it's getting better. This is bad news for the few who may have him due to an earlier recovery timetable. He should be looked at as a long term addition for the time being.
	Marc-Andre Bergeron	D	Recalled by the Canadiens after a three-game conditioning stint with the Bulldogs, earning six assists (3-0-6-6). Adds some spark to the power play, with a heavy shot and can carry it, but won't replicate Markov's puck rushing ability. Is a better shooter and will likely have the spot on the top of the umbrella on the power play. A worthy addition who underwent back surgery in April and carries a risk of further injury.
	Andrew Ebbett	C	Claimed off waivers from the Ducks by the Blackhawks after spending a lot of time in the press box after an impressive stretch run last spring. Bumped from the lineup by the signing of Saku Koivu, he gets another opportunity on an offensively gifted squad as long as he gets some practice time in first. His work ethic that made him effective last spring will keep him in the lineup. Worth a spot on a watch list, or a long bench.

Streaking ?

Tm	Player	Pos	NOTES
	Travis Zajac	C	Has been playing on a line with Niklas Bergfors and Matt Halischuk instead of between normal partners Parise and Langenbrunner - centered by Rob Niedermayer. Despite being a good influence, fishing out some pucks for the two youngsters, they've both been snakebit and can't finish. Considering he's had a point in every game except one (7-4-3-7), and has made some excellent individual attempts like in the second period against Carolina that just missed an open net with a sprawled goaltender. Consistency is key in H2H leagues, and that's what he delivers.
	Ryan Kesler	C	They may not all be pretty during a five-game point streak (5-3-3-6) like the goal on Saturday against the Wild. They all count however, and that's the bottom line for fantasy GM's. Might be a little overblown as an offensive catalyst, but will likely hit the 20-25 goals mark and they can't all be pretty. Will be even more relied upon as a solid second line center with the recent spat of injuries plaguing the Canucks.
	Martin Brodeur	G	Creeps closer to yet another record after his first shutout over the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday, gave him 102 for his career, one shy of Terry Sawchuck. The aging goaltender will no doubt further cement his spot in goaltending folklore, but may not find himself playing as much as he's expecting with age and fatigue playing as much of a factor. Yes, his own competitive spirit keeps the desire to start every game, but can the body keep up, and endure any sort of playoff run? Better to expect less starts than traditionally expected from the Devils stalwart.
	Gilbert Brule	C	Getting every opportunity to secure a permanent roster spot, while making good use of his ice time (3-3-2-5) and making it difficult to pull him out. Has been going hard to the net and stopping in front not just skating by any longer and is more involved. Some luck was involved in two of the three goals, but to his credit, he had to be in the right spot to capitalize. Not fully convinced he's roster worthy despite his recent hot streak, but if there's a bench and you can tuck him away for later, could be worth a take in deep leagues.
	Dustin Brown	RW	Kings sniper is averaging four shots per game (4-2-0-2, 16 SOG) while still looking for his first power play goal of the season and getting heat from the rejuvenated Ryan Smyth (8-5-5-10, 3PPG). Slowly emerging as a difference maker and will become a bigger threat once he discovers his scoring touch with the man-advantage.
	Maxim Afinogenov	RW	Had some memorable moments in the past two games (2-1-1-2, 6 SOG) including a highlight reel goal using his quick hands and outside/inside move. No doubt getting his opportunity to remain in the NHL, but has become a predictable one-dimensional speedster, easily analyzed be defensemen and neutralized. However, it's still early and used in spurts can have momentary success. Wouldn't recommend for majority of leagues, but worth a bench spot as depth in already deep leagues.
	Ray Whitney	LW	A perennial favorite in this corner has lost a layer of sheen recently. Consistent and still productive enough to be on a roster in most formats, with his first two-goal game this season (2-2-0-2) recently, while being one of the better Canes in the 1-0 loss to the Devils. Always a concern for plus/minus as he continues to remain a minus liability ? and becoming less desirable as he ages and his productivity slowly fades.
	Zach Stortini	RW	Looking for a tough hombre, with potential to rack up big game PIM's and chip in with the odd score, then look no further than this Oilers winger. He's a tough, strong skater and goes to the net without the puck to shovel rebounds with second efforts for loose pucks standing in front of the goal. A candidate for PIM's and in deep deep leagues, since he could become a healthy scratch at times.

Stinking ?

>Tm	>Player	>Pos	>NOTES
	Vincent Lecavalier	C	It's hard to knock a player that has three assists in the past three games (3-0-3-3), but he hasn't scored in 13 regular season games including last season. Look no further than the splitting of Martin St. Louis being a big factor, with only six shots on goal, along with playing the point on the power play, and just focusing on getting pucks to the net, rather than scoring, and relying on a perimeter player in Alex Tanguay that isn't playing up to par across the board.
	Wojtek Wolksi	LW	Found himself on the bench in the third period against the Red Wings and didn't take part in the shootout either, despite being wildly successful (17-for-26 for 65.4-percent). This is the second vote of non-confidence in being a difference maker by coach Joe Sacco and could either light a fire temporarily, or set the tone for the season, inconsistency and frustration. Monitor this situation carefully, it could get rocky.
	Ray Emery	G	The bloom might be off the rose early as he's followed up a 3-0 start and a shutout, to 0-2-1 in his last three, allowing three or more goals in all three contests. Those peripheral stats will be a concern in leagues with categories like goals-against-average and save-percentage, but Philadelphia is strong enough up front to overcome most deficits, or give him a cushion to work with. But if Philly pans out as a strong candidate as a Conference leader, this just becomes relegated as a temporary setback.
	Radim Vrbata	RW	Mired in a four-game funk after abandoning the inside game that made him successful in the first two games (2-3-1-4). Playing the half boards and making occasional forays into hot spots. Taking a lot of shots as well, mostly from the perimeter. Showed better determination to get into scoring areas in the 4-1 win over the Bruins, and seems to play better in wins, with a confident group around him. Struggles with a non-confident group, and resorts back to perimeter game. Coach Dave Tippet has to keep encouraging him to get to the slot and in front of the net.

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