Remember back a few seasons when it seemed like every player in the league was pulling his groin.... sustaining groin injuries rather? Well this year is apparently the year of the leg injury.

Thus far some of the NHL's brightest stars have fallen to injured hooves. The Boston Bruins have lost forwards Marc Savard and Milan Lucic (broken finger) for up two months (consider also the trade of Phil Kessel to Toronto prior to the start of the year, and Boston's top line from last season is now gone - however the bright spot is that the 1st rounder the Leafs gave up for Kessel will likely turn out to be a top pick, if not the top pick for the Bruins next summer - cuz the Leafs suck rocks), the Detroit Red Wings have lost Johan Franzen to a knee injuryt, and the Pittsburgh Penguins have once again lost Sergei Gonchar, this time to a broken wrist (he's trying to add some variety to the broken foot list). Carolina Hurricanes have lost Erik Cole to a leg injury, and the Montreal Canadiens will have to do without blueliner Andrei Markov... thanks to some skate slicing of the ankle. Another season of Havlat-ian proportions?

Quick Shave:
The Edmonton Oilers forward Dustin Penner has finally arrived. I'm not kidding. This fat bastard who would have been part of the package to acquire Dany Heatley from Ottawa,apparently decided to hit the treadmill this summer rather than the All You Can Eat buffet... and look at the results. Penner is on an absolute tear. 14 (7 goals, 7 assists) points in the Oilers first 9 games, and he's a +9!!! He had 2 goals and 3 assists in the Oilers 6-4 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets last night. What a difference a few sit-ups make huh? The New Jersey Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur is one shutout away from tying Terry Sawchuk for the all-time record... which I'm sure he will eclipse very soon. However, now that I've said that... enjoy your stint on the IR. Leaf Nation is in a panic. Not so much because the Toronto Maple Leafs are so bad, but because the first round picks (one this year, and one next) GM Brian Burke traded to the Bruins for forward Phil Kessel will in all likelihood become a top five lottery pick. Something the Leafs could have really used to help in their rebuilding effort. The Leafs will be desperate to turn things around.

Let's talk fantasy hockey for a minute. I had perhaps the worst evening of my life last night. Seems every goal that was scored... someone from my roster was on the ice for it... and I'm talking about goals against not for. I was a -10 rating last night, thanks in large part to the following players outstanding defensive effort:

Joe Thornton -2
Brandon Dubinsky -2
Dany Heatley -3 (thanks for showin' up Heater!)
Danny Briere - 2
Kimmo Timonen -1
Shawn Horcoff -1
Sean Avery -1

Thanks fellas! Apreciate the effort here. So with that in mind, and of course my rather irritated state of mind, I've decided to come up with a new award for those who choose not to play a two way game. The Playoff Beard Big Minus (until we come up something better, bear with me, its early and I'm tired) will be the title bestowed on the player with the worst +/- rating in the NHL. The current recipient of this glorious honor? The Minnesota Wild's defenceman Brent Burns who carries an immaculate -10 rating just 8 games into this young season. My advice to any players facing the Wild... if Burns is on the ice... SHOOT! Congratulations Brent!

Your friend on ice,
Captain Bosh