By Ray Flowers
July 25, 2009 1:34pm CDT

This article is be a weekly series profiling the recent Fanball Sports Network NHL blog posts, as well as how this news and analysis impacts fantasy owners.


OhCanadiens.com - What's Wrong With Carey Price?

Our Hans correspondent, Eric Meliton, discuses whether or not Carey Price can rebound from a poor second half last year.

" Does Price have the fortitude to withstand another year of pressure or is his stock in decline? At only 21 years of age, many believe that Price still has his prime in front of him, however, in retrospect, has his career evolved too fast?

I hope I am wrong about Price - he could be eventually become the next Roy or Dryden… however, Price could easily find himself in company with more infamous Habs goaltenders such as Andre Racist or Steve Penney."

Impact: Price is one of those keepers this year that could end up as a top-10 option, or one that may struggle for relevance in the top-20. After all, a 3.37 GAA and a .891 save percentage over his last 25 appearances leaves his fantasy value a bit on the murky side.


DoubleEdgedSabres.com - Comparing the Sabres Schedule Across the League

Are the Sabres being unfairly penalized by the NHL in terms of the schedule they will be asked to play in the coming season?

"Why do the Sabres always seem to get the shaft when it comes to these things?

The Sabres have the 2nd most back to back games in the 2009-2010 season, one less than the leaders at 19 ('Hawks, Devils, Islanders).

The 2nd least amount of miles traveled, Philadelphia, still has to fly/ride, 3176 miles more than Buffalo, logging 29,087 miles."

Impact: Guess it's still alright to draft Sabres players since they likely won't be suffering from much jet lag this season.


StingersOnIce.com - Blue Jackets Re-sign Minor Players

Our Blue Jackets correspondent, Bobby Roberts, breaks down the club's re-signing of Mike Bluden and Mar Merthot.

" The Columbus Blue Jackets have re-signed left wing Mike Blunden to a one-year, two-way NHL contract. Once again, per club policy, terms were not disclosed.

The Blue Jackets have re-signed restricted free agent defenseman Marc Methot to a two-year, $2.025 million contract.."

Impact: Next?


PucksGoneWild.com - Hockey Greater Than Baseball

Care to read a list of 10 reasons why hockey is a better game than baseball?

"1. Hockey coaches don't wear their team uniforms on the bench. Can you imagine Ken Hitchcock in a Jackets' sweater? Please, they're coaches, not players. Baseball managers look downright silly.

2. Time planning. I can't DVR a baseball game because I never know how long it will last. It could be 2 hours or 4. Hockey (barring long playoff overtimes) is done in 2:40.

3. Playing Through Injuries. A baseball player stubs his toe and he's on the disabled list. A hockey player loses a toe and comes back the next shift. (Marian Gaborik being the exception, of course)."


SevenDeadlySins.com - Dany's Dumb but is he Done?

Our Hans correspondent, Chris, discuses whether or not the Sens will end up holding on to or moving Dany Heatley.

"I was hoping not to talk about this bizarre soap opera again but from Alexei Kovalev and Bryan Murray's comments yesterday, it sounds like the team is trying to bridge the gap between them and Dany the Dummy. I've maintained all along that I think he will be traded but the longer this drags on, the less likely that is to happen. The question now becomes; will he accept that he has to play for the Sens because none of the teams that he is willing to play for want him?."

Impact: We keep waiting for the two-time 50-goal scorer to be moved from Ottawa, but the Senators haven't been able to work out a deal that both they, and Heatley, are happy with. The Oilers continue to try and convince Heatley that he would be a good fit with the club going as far as sending him a highlight video of some of their players. No matter where he plays Heatley should produce, but it would be nice to know where that will be.


FrozeLeafs.com - Beefing Up, On and Off the Ice

Our Leafs correspondent, Paul Bruno, discuses some of the moves the club has made with GM Brian Burke's stated intent to toughen up the clubs blue line.

"The Leafs have made pretty good strides in strengthening themselves on the ice this summer, with a number of pickups in free agency, aimed at solidifying their defense and goalie positions.

Burke has gone on record as saying that he is prepared to open camp with all 10 NHL defensemen on his roster. He is also expecting to field offers on a few on them between now and then. He is in no panic to give any of them away, also stating that he is prepared to send a player down to their minor league affiliate and swallow their contract.."

Impact:The big name to watch here belongs to Tomas Kaberle. A gifted offensive performer, the club appears likely to hold on to him after considering moving him for the majority of last season. Though injuries limited him to just 31 points in 57 games last season, don't overlook Kaberle on draft day since the man has recorded at least 53 points in each of the previous three seasons.


CapitalsGains.com - Can Ovechkin Score 92?

Can Alexander Ovechkin tie Wayne Gretzky's all-time single season goal scoring mark?

"One of the NHL records considered untouchable is that of Wayne Gretzky's 92-goals scored during the 1981-82 season.

In a nutshell, to score 92-goals in a season in today's NHL would be equal to netting a whopping 130-goals during the 1981-82 season."