Yeah! This is what I'm talking about! Training Camps are open, Fantasy League managers are loading up their rosters, and Captain Bosh is back.... and slightly less hairy than he was in May (which really isn't that much).

The 2007-2008 NHL season drops the puck across the pond in England with a pair of home and home games at the end of September, and then kicks into high gear for the rest of the league October 3rd. The Pre-Season is in full swing already with a nice sampling of games (for those of you who live up North, you will more than likely get to check out many of these games, and for those of us here in the United States.... well not so much).

Looking for some great reading? TSN.ca has put together a spectacular NHL Preview that breaksdown every team and division. You can find it here.

Fantasy Hockey
As I said before, with the NHL getting ready to go, that means Fantasy Hockey is off and running. I myself have already drafted one team ( a spectacular collection of the NHL's elite that will most assuredly destroy everyone within that league) and look to drop my expertise on a few more teams before the start of the season. Here's a few players I'd keep an eye on:

Dany Heatley - Ottawa Senators
This one is probably pretty obvious, but if you are drafting in an early spot grab this guy. Two reasons. First, he's had back to back 50 goal seasons the past two years. Second, this is a contract year. If the Ottawa Senators don't re-sign prior to the end of this season, he will command $10 million a season at least next year. This year I expect Heatley to put up ridiculous numbers. By the way, Marion Hossa, Heatley's trade counterpart from several seasons ago is also headed for UFA waters this summer, his season should mirror Heatleys, and if the Thrasher's aren't headed for the post season, expect him to be dealt at the trade deadline.

Michael Nylander - Washington Capitals
While it was sad to see this gentleman leave the Blueshirts fold, he would be more than welcome on any of my Fantasy rosters. Nylander was a terrific setup man for Jagr and vice versa, the only downside to this pair, is that both are playmakers first, and shooters second. Thus they would both pass the puck back and forth down the ice, until they closed off any scoring opportunity. In Washington, Nylander will thrive big time. He will be setting up young super star Alexander Ovechkin, and Nylander's pass first style, should mesh perfectly with Ovechkin's shoot first mentality. Look for both players to put up big numbers (Assists for Nylander, and Goals for the other fella).

Anze Kopitar - Los Angeles Kings
Sophmore slump or breakout season? I'm leaning towards the latter. This kid didn't get much press because he played on the West Coast for a crappy Kings team but he still managed to put up 61 points (20 goals, 41 assists) in his rookie campaign. The Kings have reloaded and playing alongside a very good winger in Alexander Frolov, I think Kopitar could turn out to be a good sleeper pick.

I will throw some more players at you later this week, but now it's time for some predictions from the Bosher:

The San Jose Sharks will have a great regular season once again, but I expect them to fall flat in the playoffs, and become the replacement choke team that was once the Ottawa Senators.

The Colorado Avalanche should find their way back to the playoffs this year, and I would be surprised to see a goaltender other than Peter Budaj and Jose Theodore in net for them by year's end (my money is on Anaheim's Byrzgalov).

Sorry Islanders and Oilers fans. You guys are going to have rough year. I expect both teams to be so bad they will actually make the Phoenix Coyotes look like the Detroit Red Wings. Oilers, look for defenceman Sheldon Souray to set some new defensive records for you this year.... most likely a -50 rating.

The L.A. Kings, and the Philadelphia Flyers both bolstered their lineups this offseason, and should rebound from horrible seasons last year. I expect to see both clubs in the playoffs (before you bash me, remember I said the same thing about the Penguins last summer and who had to kiss my butt in April?).

The Anaheim Ducks will either have the deepest defense in the league.... or struggle to replace the points put up by defenceman Scott Neidermayer, and forwards Teemu Selanne, and Dustin Penner. I think it's going to be choice B.

More to come folks! Welcome back!

Your friend on ice,
Captain Bosh