NHL Hockey Player News

Lehtonen certainly has the Blackhawk's number over four career appearances, posting a 3-1-0 record with a 1.72 GAA and .938 SV%.

Expect at least 10 goals, 30 points and well above 150 PIM if you draft him, making him quite a valuable player for deeper leagues.

Good news for Eriksson owners as he might have respectable linemates now. Last season he scored 27 goals and 73 points over 79 while playing mostly next to Brad Richards.

Havlat could be back for Game 2, so not all is lost. The winger scored 22 goals and 62 points in 78 games with the Wild last season. Tommy Wingels will take his place on the second line.

Powe mostly played on the third and fourth lines in Philadelphia last season, scored seven goals and 17 points. He should serve as a solid fourth line center and a valuable PKer for his new team but won't light the lamp with frequency.

Bulmer has impressed during training camp, earning a spot on the opening night's roster. Last season, the left wing scored 18 goals and 49 poiints in 57 games playing for the Kelowna Rockets. Look for him to play a third line role.

The Rangers could use a depth defenseman with the injury to Marc Staal. Woywitka scored two goals and 11 points last season through 63 games with the Dallas Stars. As a teammate of Brad Richards, the team hope he will come to the organization with some familiarity.

As a former 61-goal scorer in the OHL, MacLean did not last on waivers. Interesting to see how the Jets chose to use him moving forward.

Price boasts 8-6-0 record with a 2.45 GAA, .925 SV% and two shutouts over his 14 appearances against the Leafs.

Connolly was projected to start the season on the top line but he likely misses a few games. Connolly scored 13 goals and 42 points last season as injuries limited him to 68 games. Tyler Bozak will take his place in the interim as the top line center.

With another superb season, Lidstrom can tie the record of eight Norris Trophies. Last season the future Hall-of-Famer scored 16 goals ans 62 points over 82 games, making the point that he can continue to play at an elite level despite his age.

Last season, at the University of Minnesota-Deluth, he scored eight goals and 33 points over 39 games. The team seems certain he fits in a top four role this season.

Ruutu scored 19 goals and 57 points playing mostly on the second line last season. Playing with Staal over a full season, he should be able to replicate those totals.

Skinner playing on the top line should do wonders for his fantasy hockey value. Last season he scored 31 goals and 63 points over 82 games in his rookie season. As a natural goal scorer, he very well could score 40 goals at some point in his career.

Engqvist is still looking for his first NHL points. The undrafted pivot will be called up to provide solid, two-way play.

Betts was called upon to center the fourth line but is now held out of the lineup. Last season he scored five goals and 12 points over 75 games, which should be close to his ceiling. Don't expect more than 10 goals over an 82-game season.

Orr is the odd man out of the lineup, losing his role to Jay Rosehill. Last season he only played 46 games but posted 128 PIM. He could easily top 200 PIM if he can play a full season with the team.

McQuaid holds limited value as a bottom-pairing defender. Don't expect much except PIM and possibly a decent +/- while chipping in around 15 points.

With Ben Smith and Dave Bolland questionable for this weekend's games, the Blackhawks re-called Pirri. Last season, the Toronto native scored 12 goals and 43 points over 70 games for the Rockland IceHogs of the AHL. He should be capable of handling a checking role for the Blackhawks, possibly potting a few goals,.

No immediate fantasy hockey value while on waivers.