News You Can Use Late in the Day

1. Darren Dreger comments on the NHL Eastern and Western Conference Finals, sees a goaltending duel out west.
2. James Duthie discusses the Fabian Brunston phenomenon.
3. Stan Fischler says that Brendan Shanahan's future in New York depends on Jagr.
4. An update on Fernando Pisani from the Hockey News.
5. Video of Dion Phaneuf relaxing and not playing for Team Canada.
6. Dan Daly notes that penalties in OT are no longer taboo.
7. Jim Balsillie is still looking for an NHL team.
8. What changes do the Sharks need to make?
9. Sean Avery discusses his ruptured spleen.
10. Lynn Zinser of the NY Times writes that the Rangers may make a pitch for Marian Hossa.
11. Don Cherry will be making regular appearances on Sportscenter.
12. Hockey's Future has been purchased by Crave Online.
13. David Frost finds another way to get his name in the news.
14. Team Canada will face its first big test today when it faces off with Team USA.
15. The Americans are holding auditions for 2010.
16. The Maple Leaf scouts have gathered in Toronto to decide where to trade their 7th overall pick.
17. The United States will establish a residency program for their women's national team.
18. The Latvian fans have been impressive thus far at the World Hockey Championships.
19. The weekly Hot List from the Hockey News.
20. The final installment of Jamie McClennan's blog from Japan.
21. A successful playoff season has both owners and players happy.
22. Memorial Cup history, 1939.
23. ESPN does an early mock draft of the top 14 selections.
24. The Vancouver Canucks have hired former Phoenix assistant GM Laurence Gilman to their capologist.
25. Allan Muir with his Inside the NHL column.

News You Can Use Late in the Day

1. Marc Crawford has not responded to allegations that he ordered the attack on Steve Moore.
2. Mark Recchi has been assigned to the AHL.
3. The Coyotes have traded Alex Auld to the Bruins for Nate DiCasmirro.
4. Bob McKenzie notes that Brian Burke will have to move some pieces to prepare for Niedermayer's return.
5. Pavel Kubina will return to the Leafs lineup tonight after missing 10 games with a knee injury.
6. Fernando Pisani is happy to be avoiding the spotlight.
7. The New Arena in Fargo is a finalist for the World U-18 Championship.
8. Hockey.com writes that Euro's are becoming more common amongst NHL tough guys.
9. David Amber profiles 10 rivalries in the NHL.
10. Sean Avery doesn't like Toronto.
11. The Bentley Falcons are taking the NCAA by storm.
12. Evgeni Malkin is the forgotten superstar in Pittsburgh.
13. Greg Moore has shed some weight and elevated his game.
14. Bates Battaglia owns a bar in Raleigh, NC.
15. Shawn P. Roarke with his picks for Canada's World Junior team.
16. Andrew Raycroft is adjusting to life as a backup.
17. The Blackhawks have recalled David Bolland.
18. Taking Note with an interesting look at hazing in hockey.
19. Reggie Leach has turned his life around after battling alcohol.
20. The Hockey News Blog is not a fan of the point for a shootout loss.
21. Another installment on the Hockey News' profile of Roseau, MN.
22. Brett Hull says the Stars will assess their talent before making any moves.
23. An update on the small hockey colleges in the Eastern US.
24. Stan Fischler says the Rangers miss Avery.
25. Steve Downie saw only 4:39 in his NHL debut.


For Illegal Curve, I'm Kyle Kosior.

News You Can Use Late in the Day

-Fernando Pisani is back skating with some of the Oilers, and plans on playing this year.
-Gary Bettman will host a show on XM Satellite Radio.
-Jason Spezza has resumed skating with the Ottawa Senators.
-The Hockey Hall of Fame welcomes a distinguished class.
-A look around the CHL.
-Canada wins the Four Nations Cup in women's hockey.
-Canada West captures its second straight World Jr. A Challenge.
-NHL.com profiles Flyer's prospect Jonathan Matsumoto.
-Former Philadelphia Phantom Ben Stafford joins the Marines.
-North Dakota slips to #5 in this week's college hockey rankings. Note the story about Joe Finley allegedly slashing a Badger as they made their way to their dressing rooms.
-The Bruins send Matt Lashoff and Tuukka Rask back to Providence.
-The Leafs have recalled Stefan Kronwall.
-The Offside Blog reports that the Hawks may be scouting Bryan McCabe.
-Garth Snow insists he is not stockpiling defensemen, despite his recent re-acquisition of Freddy Meyer.
-Taking Note examines the possibility that Casey Pierro-Zabotel, a Penguins 3rd rounder, may ditch his NCAA commitment to play for the Vancouver Giants.
-The Moose Jaw Warriors and Kamloops Blazers swap Florida Panther's draft picks. Keaton Ellerby for Brady Calla.
-Some Torontonians have invented leaf-blower hockey.
-Bill Guerin will sit out tonight after suffering an eye injury.
-Randy Sportak notes that the Flames confidence is suffering due to their 5-game losing streak.
-Darren Eliot writes that the current edition of the Blackhawks bear some similarities to the 1992 Cup Finalist team.
-Vincent Lecavalier is named top star for the week.
-Wade Belak mentions that someone is eventually going to "kill" Sean Avery.
-News You Can Use noted last week that the LA Kings were involved in an Amazing Race type bonding exercise. Here is a partial list of their tasks.
-Tucker v. Avery. Slayen, there is no need to look this up on Westlaw. Its a hockey fight bra.
-Stan Fischler with a few interesting tid-bits from around the NHL.
-The Score with a list of questions for NHL goalies.

For Illegal Curve, I'm Kyle Kosior

Fantasy Watch

G Martin Gerber - Ottawa Senators

News: According to the Ottawa Sun, the Senators have been looking to ship off goaltender Martin Gerber for quite some time now, but have yet to find a trading partner. Part of this is due to the fact that Gerber is still owed $7.4 million over the next two years. Currently, Gerber is second string in Ottawa backing up Ray Emery.

Fantasy Take: Those participating in fantasy draft's should keep an eye on Gerber's whereabouts, as he is only two years removed from posting 38 wins back in the 05-06 season. Going 15-9-0 last year with a 2.78 goals against average is proof that when given the chance to start, Gerber can still get it done.

D Scott Niedermayer - Anaheim Ducks

News: After keeping everyone in limbo about his future, Ducks defenseman Scott Niedermayer held a news conference this afternoon in which it was expected that he would announce his plans. Unfortunately, all Niedermayer had to say was “I wish I had a decision right now.”

Fantasy Take: With fantasy leagues getting underway, Niedermayer becomes one of the riskiest picks in the entire league. On the one hand, you have a top fantasy defenseman who has eclipsed 60 points in his last two seasons. On the other hand, you could be wasting a crucial draft pick on a defenseman who may not even play this year. It's decisions like these that win hockey drafts, so for those who already drafted the former Norris Trophy winner, here's to hoping that he returns for one last season.

F Fernando Pisani - Edmonton Oilers

News: The Edmonton Oilers were dealt a blow this past week, learning that forward Fernando Pisani will be sidelined indefinitely with ulcerative colitis.

Fantasy Take: Although Pisani's last season numbers don't jump out at you, it was expected that with the loss of Edmonton's top two scorers that the fifth year forward would leap into a larger role this year. With no time table set for his return, Pisani will undoubtedly drift off the fantasy radar until more is known.