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Edmonton Oilers News
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins(C)|EDM
Line Change
Line Change
In Edmonton’s 2-1 shootout victory to open the 2011-12 season, rookie Ryan Nugent-Hopkins didn’t just have a strong game, he was dominating. He scored the crucial tieing goal late in the game, but more than that, of the Oilers’ 18 scoring chances, RNH made significant contributions to 12 of them, an astounding total.

Probably a safe pick to grab if still available in your league. His center-only position is the only thing that may hurt his immediate fantasy hockey value.

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Cult of Hockey 2011-10-10T13:58:37.000Z
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins
Corey Perry(RW)|EDM
Hot Streak
Hot Streak
“I see nothing wrong with two guys at the same level if they chose to drop the gloves,” Carlyle said. “When there’s a mismatch as far as the level of player…Dubinsky’s a pretty good player, and so is Corey Perry. If it’s a different level of player fighting a more skilled player then I look at it differently.”

Good to see coach Randy Carlyle will let Corey Perry fight at his leisure. Last season, the MVP fought twice according to HockeyFights.com; he might break that marker this season.

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OC Register Ducks Blog 2011-10-10T11:48:40.000Z
Corey Perry
Corey Perry(RW)|EDM
Hot Streak
Hot Streak
The Ducks’ “Big 3? hadn’t done much this preseason, until Tuesday. Perry scored twice and Getzlaf had the game-winner in overtime as the Ducks won their exhibition finale over Jokerit, 4-3.

Sounds like coach Randy Carlyle pondered breaking up the Big 3 in an attempt to get them going. Last season, Perry wowed hockey fans around the glob with 50 goals and 98 points. While the manner he scored those goals will be difficult to replicate, 35-40 tallies are to be expected.

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OC Register Ducks Blog 2011-10-05T10:10:00.000Z
Corey Perry
Mike Smith(G)|EDM
Goalie Start
Goalie Start
PRESCOTT VALLEY - Mike Smith, who calls parts of his game "a work in progress," will be in goal when the Coyotes open the regular season Saturday night at San Jose.

Smith holds a career 2-2-0 record with a 3.56 GAA and .877 SV% against the Sharks. He allowed five goals on 39 shots in his only appearance in the HP Pavilion.

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AZ Central 2011-10-04T21:39:03.000Z
Mike Smith
Mattias Ekholm(LD)|EDM
Line Change
Line Change
The Nashville Predators have finalized their opening day roster and in spite of what Mattias Ekholm's agent reported earlier, it appears that he will start the season in the NHL.

Ekholm sticks in the NHL as a bottom-pairing defender. Last season he scored 10 goals and 33 points through 55 games with Brynas IF Gavle of the SEL. Look for him to get his feet wet at the NHL level.

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Preds on the Glass 2011-10-04T20:02:48.000Z
Mattias Ekholm
Mike Smith(G)|EDM
Line Change
Line Change
PRESCOTT VALLEY - Mike Smith, who calls parts of his game "a work in progress," will be in goal when the Coyotes open the regular season Saturday night at San Jose.

Smith, as the team's top free agent signing, gets the first crack at the starting goalie role. Last season he posted a .899 SV% and 2.89 GAA over 22 games with the Lightning. He should improve on his totals with coach Dave Tippett behind the bench.

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AZ Central 2011-10-03T08:12:38.000Z
Mike Smith
Brad Malone(C)|EDM
Call up / Send down
Call up / Send down
The Colorado Avalanche Hockey Club announced today that the team has reassigned four players, reducing its 2011 preseason roster to 27. The following four players have been reassigned to the American Hockey League training camp: D, Tyson Barrie, Lake Erie (AHL); LW, Patrick Bordeleau, Lake Erie (AHL); G, Trevor Cann, Lake Erie (AHL); C, Brad Malone, Lake Erie (AHL)

No immediate fantasy hockey value in the AHL.

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Colorado Avalanche 2011-10-02T13:21:29.000Z
Brad Malone
Adam Henrique(C)|EDM
Line Change
Line Change
Henrique, 21, thinks it’s a good sign that he’s playing again, but knows nothing is guaranteed yet.

Henrique looked like a shoe-in to make the team out of training camp but has since fallen on the depth chart with Petr Sykora's re-emergence. Last season, the former Windsor Spitfire scored 25 goals and 50 points with the team's AHL affiliate Albany Devils. He shoudl be NHL ready so expect to see him in a Devils' sweater at some point this season.

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Fire & Ice 2011-10-01T15:51:53.000Z
Adam Henrique
Mike Smith(G)|EDM
Line Change
Line Change
“They’ve worked hard, and Burkie (goaltending coach Sean Burke) continues to work with them. I don’t think either has been the reason we’ve lost, but I think they’re just like the rest of our group. There’s room for improvement.”

As the free agent signing, Smith certainly has the inside track. Last season he won 13 of his 22 appearances with a 2.89 GAA and .899 SV% while with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Look for him to improve those totals under coach Dave Tippett.

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AZ Central 2011-10-01T08:15:07.000Z
Mike Smith
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins(C)|EDM
Line Change
Line Change
If Red Deer Rebels’ coach Jesse Wallin was holding to a faint hope that Nugent-Hopkins could be back in his No. 9 sweater with the Western Hockey League junior team, he can probably forget it, at least for the start of the Oilers season with Sam Gagner out with a sprained ankle.

Nugent-Hopkins could stick for longer than nine games if Gagner fails to return by then. If so, expect a similar rookie season to Taylor Hall and Jordan Eberle -- somewhere around 15-20 goals and 40-45 points -- while playing on one of the top two lines.

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Edmonton Journal 2011-09-28T12:42:21.000Z
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins
Adam Henrique(C)|EDM
Line Change
Line Change
Henrique, who will play again Saturday against the Islanders, centered a line with Tedenby on his left wing and veteran tryout Petr Skyora on his right side tonight. He ended up playing 14:57 for the game.

With the injuries down the middle, Henrique figures to make the team out of camp. Last season, the former Windsor Spitfire scored 25 goals and 50 points with the team's AHL affiliate Albany Devils. Look for him to center the third line until Zajac returns.

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Fire & Ice 2011-09-24T15:15:48.000Z
Adam Henrique
Brad Malone(C)|EDM
Line Change
Line Change
Malone is competing for a roster spot with a handful of veterans, primarily centermen Jay McClement, but undoubtedly has the opportunity edge over fellow youngsters Mark Olver, Justin Mercier, Garrett Meurs and Stoa, among others. Malone might not make the opening-night roster but it sure seems the Avs think he can play in the NHL.

Another name to add to an endless list of prospects ready to make the jump to the NHL. Last season he scored 16 goals and 40 points in 43 games for the University of North Dakota. If he makes the big club, he is likely to play a more defensive role.

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All Things Avs 2011-09-21T18:40:53.000Z
Brad Malone
Adam Henrique(C)|EDM
None
Rookie Adam Henrique is getting a look centering a line with Mattias Tedenby and Nick Palmieri on his wings.

The Devils may deploy a 'kid line' with Travis Zajac slightly depleting the team's depth. The former Windsor Spitfire scored 25 goals and 50 points with the team's AHL affiliate Albany Devils.

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Fire & Ice 2011-09-18T17:35:59.000Z
Adam Henrique
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins(C)|EDM
None
He said on Wednesday that he can’t say for certain yet if he is ready for prime time, only that his primary objective hasn’t changed: he wants to start the season with the Oilers, and not the Red Deer Rebels.

The 2011 first overall pick sounds eager to make the team out of camp but will need to outplay veterans like Gilbert Brule and Eric Belanger in the process. Training camp should be a litmus test for his work ethic and determination.

Source:
Edmonton Journal 2011-09-15T10:49:57.000Z
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins