After being knocked out of the second round of the playoffs by the Los Angeles Kings in seven games, the Anaheim Ducks wasted another stellar regular season showing as the Western Conference point leader. However, Coach Bruce Boudreau and company were quick to act during the offseason, trading for former Vancouver center Ryan Kesler in exchange for Nick Bonino and Luca Sbisa. Veterans Teemu Selanne's and Saku Koivu have retired, but the signing of extensions for young forwards Jakub Silfverberg and Patrick Maroon assures the club of much needed forward depth. They also took a chance on former prolific scoring winger Dany Heatley, signing him to a one year deal. Goalie Jonas Hiller was allowed to bolt via free agency, handing over the reins to the promising tandem of Frederik Andersen and John Gibson. All in all, this team has elite fantasy stars up front while plenty of emerging value on defense. GOALIES The Ducks appear to be in good hands in the crease with 2nd-year goalies Andersen and Gibson but fantasy owners won't have it as easy. After a standout regular rookie season where he posted a 20-5 record with a 2.29 GAA and .923 SP, he is technically penciled in as the starter. However, American standout Gibson has been developing quicker than expected and can steal the starting job just like he did in the playoffs. He has won at every level so expect him to make a huge NHL splash soon. With Jason LaBarbera also on roster, it's entirely possible that Gibson starts the year in the AHL to get more seasoning. Any way you look at it, the goaltending situation in Anaheim is very fluid so you should grab both goalies if you are interested. DEFENSE Cam Fowler is clearly the Ducks best fantasy option on the blue line, given that he is firmly entrenched on the top pairing and as quarterback on the primary power play unit. He burst on the scene with 40 points as a rookie, but his game had taken a step back the next two seasons. However, he rediscovered his game last season with 36 points in 70 games while becoming a more complete two-way defender. He is currently day to day with an undisclosed injury but should be ready to go by the opener. View Fowler as a solid 2-3 fantasy defenseman. The other guy to watch is Sami Vatanen, who has the high upside to dominate in the NHL. The defensive game is not there yet, but he should flourish soon with more power play time. 30-35 points should be in the cards for the talented Finn. Young Hampus Lindholm is developing into...

A few small events happening around the NHL......Minnesota signs RW Nino Niederreiter, one of my favorites names in the NHL today, to a 3-year deal. A good move on both parts to get this settled before camp opens.  I am always of the belief that missing camp places that player behind the rest of the pack and it often results in a sub-par year.  Nieds played in 81 games and should develop into a strong power forward.  With 36 points in his first full season in Minnesota, there is no way to go but up.  Good job guys! Columbus signs Long Island's own 2014 1st round NHL Entry Draft choice Sonny Milano to a 3-year entry level deal. Another name that seems appropriate for the NHL, or perhaps a comeback for that hit HBO series The Sopranos.  Milano is a few years away from making an impact in the NHL. Ryan Malone signs a 2-way contract with the New York Rangers after being bought out by the Tampa bay Lightning after he was recently arrested for DUI. Malone will try to get his career and hopefully his life back in order.  We wish him success as he partakes in the NHL Behavior program. It is sad to see one of the league's greatest gentlemen to ever play the game, Saku Koivu, announce his retirement. Koivu career expanded across 18 years as a member of the Montreal Canadiens and the Anaheim Ducks.  We will miss your class, Mr. Koivu.  A few rule changes made.....the "Spin-O-Rama" has been banned from the shootout. Practically the only exciting thing about the shootout was the "Spin-O-Rama".  How could they take that away from the fans?  Boo, hiss!....The trapezoid behind the net will be extended by 2 feet.   They should extend it 2 feet on each side, but I guess a little at a time.  The extension is supposed to benefit the defensemen, making the event of an injury less likely. Bravo! ....the referees will supposedly crack down on diving, with the league imposing increasing financial penalties for every additional offense.  The coaches can be fined as well if it becomes a habit....Pucks pushed out of the offensive zone, break the glass, caroms off anybody or anything and goes out will result in the faceoff staying inside the offensive zone.  The NHL is hoping this will result in more goals being scored....Intentionally delaying face-offs on icing calls will be met with much stricter consequences.  A warning given for the first delay, and, if he delays the game any further after the warning, the player will receive a delay of game penalty.   The game should move a ...

Koivu, 39, was selected 21st overall in 1993 by the Montreal Canadiens. He played 13 years with the Habs, 10 as their captain. In 792 games with Montreal he had 191 goals and 450 assists. He went on to play five seasons in Anaheim, where he wrapped up his career with 255 goals and 577 assists in 1124 games.

Koivu has missed over a month after being concussed on October 27. The 39-year-old is no longer a fantasy asset having scored just two goals and adding one assist in 12 games.

Koivu has missed the last 11 games after being concussed on October 27. Koivu is in the twilight of his career and is not really fantasy relevant in any capacity right now. He has just two goals and one assist in 12 games.

The veteran centre will miss his 12th straight game when the Ducks take on the Devils tonight. He has practice for several consecutive days so his return is near. The Ducks next play on Friday against Tampa Bay.

Koivu was a full participant in Ducks practice on Sunday and this morning. He has missed the last 10 games since being injured on October 27.

Koivu will miss his fourth consecutive game tonight after being injured on a Brandon Dubinsky hit on October 27. He could return Wednesday vs. Phoenix or Friday against Buffalo.

Koivu was hit hard by Blue Jackets forward Brandon Dubinsky on Sunday. Dubinsky will not face any supplementary discipline as a result of the hit.