NHL Morning Papers: Special Post-Draft Edition

Here are the morning papers from the Central Division:

• The Red Wings got one of the 20 players they coveted last night when Thomas McCollum fells to them at number 30. Read McCollum's bio here.
• A couple of old friends from Winnipeg were both drafted by the Predators last night, writes John Glennon. Before drafting twice in the first round, the Predators traded Chris Mason and re-signed Dan Ellis.
• It wasn't a big splash, but Scott Howson accomplished exactly what he wanted to at the draft last night. Howson hit a solid double last night, writes Aaron Portzline.
• The Blues just couldn't pass on taking the talented Alex Pietrangelo last night, writes Jeremy Rutherford. Earlier on draft day, the Blues add a nice to compliment to Manny Legace with their acquisition of Chris Mason from Nashville.
• The Blackhawks used their selection last night on controversial forward Kyle Beach.

Chris Mason traded to St. Louis

From TSN:

St. Louis Blues have acquired goaltender Chris Mason from the Nashville Predators in exchange for a 4th round draft choice, 111th overall, in the 2008 Entry Draft.

"Acquiring Chris really solidifies our goaltending position which was one of our goals going into this weekend," said Blue general manager John Davidson.

Read the entire story here.

That is not a high price to pay for a NHL caliber netminder. While Mason did struggle last season, he is certainly an upgrade over what the Blues had in net behind Manny Legace. This could be a perfect fit as Legace clearly wore down at the end of the 2007/08 season. I am just wondering why the Predators would trade Mason within the division?

Pre-Game Report

Here are some news and notes for you prior to tonight's games:

• Kari Lehtonen will start in goal tonight for the Thrashers.
• It looks like Brian Boucher will get the nod for the Sharks tonight when they visit L.A.
• Wade Dubielewicz is in net tonight for the Islanders.
• Alex Tanguay is a game-time decision for tonight's game versus the Blue Jackets.
• Manny Legace will start for the Blues tonight against the Habs.
• Fredrik Modin (flu) is out tonight for Columbus.

For Illegal Curve, I'm Richard Pollock.

Fantasy Watch: Goalie Starts

Jan 28th – Feb 3rd

Anaheim Ducks (3) – Giguere should be well rested for back-to-back games this week.

Atlanta Thrashers (3) – Hedberg may steal a start due to back-to-back games.

Boston Bruins (3) – Look for Thomas to start all three games this week.

Buffalo Sabres (3) – Miller should be ready to go for all three games.

Carolina Hurricanes (3) – Ward will be looking to get back on track after the all-star break.

Calgary Flames (2) – Kiprusoff will get a much needed rest and should be back between the pipes for both games this week.

Chicago Blackhawks (2) – The Blackhawks haven't fully given Lalime the starting job, but if Khabibulin keeps struggling expect him to be out of the picture sooner than later.

Columbus Blue Jackets (3) – Leclaire has been stellar all year and should start all three games this week.

Colorado Avalanche (3) – Theodore recently took over the #1 position and should continue to hold onto it after the all-star break.

Dallas Stars (3) – Smith may steal a start due to back-to-back games this week.

Detroit Red Wings (3) – Look for a split between Osgood and Hasek.

Edmonton Oilers (2) – Garon should get both starts this week.

Florida Panthers (3) – Expect Vokoun to start all three games this week.

Los Angeles Kings (3) – LaBarbera hasn't been great but is still the starter in L.A.

Minnesota Wild (2) – Backstrom should get both starts this week.

Montreal Canadiens (4) – Huet will have a busy week with four games on the schedule.

Nashville Predators (3) – Look for Ellis to steal a start this week.

New Jersey Devils (3) – Brodeur will be busy during all-star week but should be ready to go for all three games this week.

New York Islanders (3) – Expect DiPietro to receive all the starts this week.

New York Rangers (4) – Lundqvist should be well rested for four games this week.

Ottawa Senators (3) – Gerber and Emery have both struggled as of late and will be looking to regain their early season form.

Philadelphia Flyers (3) – Nittymaki has been playing well this month and should steal a start this week.

Phoenix Coyotes (3) – Newly resigned Bryzgalov should receive all three starts this week.

Pittsburgh Penguins (3) – Conklin and Sabourin will continue to receive the starts while Fleury remains on the IR.

San Jose Sharks (3) – Nabokov has started all but one game for San Jose and should be ready to go post all-star break.

St. Louis Blues (3) – Legace struggled to close out the first half, but will be looking to get back on track after the break.

Tampa Bay Lightining (3) – Holmqvist will be looking to continue his hot-streak post all-star break.

Toronto Maple Leafs (3) – Toskala has won four of his last five games and should start all three games this week.

Vancouver Canucks (3) – After skipping the all-star game, Luongo should be ready to go for all three games this week.

Washington Capitals (3) – Look for Kolzig to start all three games this week.


For Illegal Curve, I'm Jonny Remis

Fantasy Watch: Goalie Starts

November 12th - 18th

Anaheim Ducks (3) – Bryzgalov has hit a slump, winning only one game since October 15th.

Atlanta Thrashers (2) – Expect Lehtonen to handle both starts for this short week.

Boston Bruins (2) – Fernandez has been sidelined with a knee sprain, so unless he comes back, expect Thomas to get both starts.

Buffalo Sabres (2) – Miller should be the recipient of both starts.

Carolina Hurricanes (4) – With a busy schedule and back-to-back games on Friday and Saturday, backup John Grahame should receive one start.

Calgary Flames (3) – The Flames may elect to give Kiprusoff a rest on back-to-back away games.

Chicago Blackhawks (3) – Khabibulin should appear in all three games this week.

Columbus Blue Jackets (3) – Look for Leclaire to get the nod for all three games this week.

Colorado Avalanche (2) – It appears the Avalanche are going with a 50/50 split between Theodore and Budaj.

Dallas Stars (2) – Turco should receive both starts this week.

Detroit Red Wings (3) – Hasek has not played since October 24th.

Edmonton Oilers (3) – Expect Garon to appear in one game due to Roloson's struggles.

Florida Panthers (4) – With a busy week, backup Anderson may see some time in net.

Los Angeles Kings (3) – LaBarbera and Sebastian-Aubin have been splitting time.

Minnesota Wild (4) – Backstrom has been superb in his first year as Minnesota's starter.

Montreal Canadiens (3) – The last time Montreal had back-to-back games, backup Carey Price
received a start.

Nashville Predators (3) – If Mason continues to play poorly, then expect to see more of backup Dan Ellis.

New Jersey Devils (4) – Weekes may see some action with a busy schedule.

New York Islanders (3) – DiPietro has gotten off to a fast start going 7-3-0.

New York Rangers (3) – Lundqvist is the only thing keeping New York out of last place.

Ottawa Senators (2) – Gerber has been the man in Ottawa thus far.

Philadelphia Flyers (3) – Expect Biron to appear in all three games this week.

Phoenix Coyotes (3) – Auld and Tellqvist have been splitting time.

Pittsburgh Penguins (3) – Fluery has gotten off to a rough start, but is bound to pick it up shortly.

San Jose Sharks (4) – Nabokov has started San Jose's first 15 games, but may get a rest this week with four games on the scheduale.

St. Louis Blues (3) – Legace has struggled recently, but is still the #1 guy in St. Louis.

Tampa Bay Lightining (2) – Expect Holmqvist to start both games.

Toronto Maple Leafs (3) – Even though Toskala has struggled, the Leafs continue to ride with
him.

Vancouver Canucks (3) – Luongo should receive all three starts this week.

Washington Capitals (2) – With a short week, Kolzig should appear in both games.


For Illegal Curve, I'm Jonny Remis