Turco, Marty - G - Dal 2008-11-20 22:17:46 Turco regaining old form.
FANTASY INSIGHT: Marty Turco does this all the time, making those little tweaks when necessary to right his game. So with his rough start, the Dallas Stars goalie was doing them again. Getting his feet right, putting on the old skates, breaking out a new helmet and getting -- along with his infant son -- consistent sleep through the night. Whatever the quick fixes and sleep pattern - and the practice work, of course - they're working. Turco has looked, well, more like Turco in the past five games. He's lowered his goals-against dramatically from his first handful of starts, and has kept the Stars within striking distance of these recent games. When the Stars had a five-day hiatus a few weeks ago, Turco got in some beneficial work with goaltending coach Andy Moog. That was also when he took advantage of the time to make his tweaks. His coach is just happy with the results. (Fort Worth Star-Telegram)
FANTASY INSIGHT: Only Carolina Hurricanes general manager Jim Rutherford knows whether Peter Laviolette saved his job with Sunday's 3-2 comeback, shootout win over the Tampa Bay Lightning.But this much is certain: Laviolette's seat has been pretty hot lately after a three-game losing streak in which the Hurricanes were outscored 13-5. Here's another certainty, if Hurricanes history is any guide: Just because times are tough now doesn't mean he can't rally the team to the playoffs.Whatever ends up happening, Laviolette's uncertain position ranks among the five most significant coaching crises in the Hurricanes' time in North Carolina.(Raleigh News & Observer)
Ohlund, Mattias - D - Van 2008-11-20 22:14:40 Could the Senators be after Ohlund?
FANTASY INSIGHT: The Senators could be stepping up their pursuit of defenseman Mattias Ohlund. Vancouver Canucks GM Mike Gillis and assistant Lawrence Gilman were on the list of scouts for last night's Senators-Rangers game at Madison Square Garden and GM Bryan Murray hasn't made any secret of the fact he's looking for a puck-moving defenceman. While the Gillis' Canucks were playing across town on Long Island, it's believed contract talks with Ohlund have been fruitless and if they continue to go nowhere, he might be asked to waive his no-movement clause to accept a deal elsewhere. It's believed the Senators are willing to move winger Antoine Vermette. (Ottawa Sun)
FANTASY INSIGHT: Marian Gaborik skated Wednesday -- apparently well -- but didn't practice with the team. Coach Jacques Lemaire said he has no idea when his star winger will return. If general manager Doug Risebrough knows, he isn't saying. "Every day he's getting closer," Risebrough said, but he wouldn't elaborate.
(St. Paul Pioneer Press)
FANTASY INSIGHT: The big question in Philadelphia these days -- besides "Wit Whiz or without?" -- is: When is Brendan Shanahan going to sign? The Flyers waived defenseman Lasse Kukkonen last week in what appeared to be a cap-clearing move to give them enough space to sign the veteran winger to a one-year deal worth $1-$1.5 million. But as of Sunday night, the Flyers hadn't heard back from Shanahan about accepting the deal. The (South Jersey) Courier-Post reported in its Flyers blog last night that it would make the most sense for Shanny to sign now, as the Flyers are in the midst of a four-day layoff, which would give him plenty of practice time to get acclaimated to their system. (New York Newsday)
Stamkos, Steven - C - TB 2008-11-20 22:10:43 Melrose and Lightning owners battled over Stamkos, others.
FANTASY INSIGHT: Former Lightning coach Barry Melrose said he and owners Oren Koules and Len Barrie clashed constantly over player ice time, especially when it came to rookie and No. 1 draft choice Steven Stamkos. "It was a constant battle between me and the owners," Melrose said Tuesday. "They wanted Stamkos to play more. They wanted (Radim) Vrbata to play more. They wanted (Gary) Roberts to play more. Every day it was a constant battle. Every conversation was about it, and I wouldn't do that. "I'm a big believer in you have to earn ice time. If you're not one of the best guys, you don't deserve to play no matter who you are or how much you make."
(St. Petersburg Times)
Sundin, Mats - C - 2008-11-20 22:09:28 Sundin hoping for mid December return.
FANTASY INSIGHT: Mats Sundin appears to be aiming for a mid-December comeback, with as many as 11 teams -- including the Maple Leafs -- interested in his services. "Mats is currently training daily with the intention to return," Sundin's agent, J.P. Barry said. "He may still decide not to play, however, if his training regimen doesn't produce the results he expects." The former Leaf captain is working out in Los Angeles, doing mostly strength and aerobic training. Barry says Sundin will likely start skating before the end of November, making a mid-December return "a reasonable guesstimate." (Toronto Star)
Bouwmeester, Jay - D - Fla 2008-11-20 22:07:18 Speculation has Bouwmeester going to Flyers.
FANTASY INSIGHT: All the struggles on the Philly defense have led to some fairly intense speculation that the Flyers may try to acquire soon-to-be-free agent defenseman Jay Bouwmeester from the Panthers. After scoring 15 goals and 37 points last year, Bouwmeester is off to a rough start (no goals, six assists) in Florida.(New York Newsday)
Khabibulin, Nikolai - G - Chi 2008-11-19 21:47:17 Khabibulin helps Blackhawks win first shootout of season.
FANTASY INSIGHT: Nikolai Khabibulin made 36 saves through overtime, then stopped two shots in the shootout as the Blackhawks edged the Phoenix Coyotes 3-2 Tuesday night. “It was nice to start the road trip with a win,” Khabibulin said. “Any time you can start a long road trip with a win, that’s a good thing.”The victory was the Blackhawks’ first in five shootouts this season.
(AP)
Dorsett, Derek - RW - CBJ 2008-11-19 21:42:30 Dorsett to rejoin Blue Jackets from AHL.
FANTASY INSIGHT: The Columbus Blue Jackets on Wednesday recalled right wing Derek Dorsett from Syracuse of the American Hockey League. A seventh-round pick in 2006, Dorsett made his NHL debut earlier this season, recording one goal and one assist in 10 games before being assigned to Syracuse on November 3. The 21-year-old native of Kindersley, Saskatchewan also notched 56 penalty minutes with the Blue Jackets, which currently ranks him third in the NHL. Dorsett has appeared in seven games with the Crunch, registering one goal, five assists and 35 penalty minutes. (Ticker)
