ATTENTION EXCEL STAT SHEET SUBSCRIBERS-The 3-Year Excel Spreadsheet has been updated. Go to "MY ACCOUNT" and click on the FILES tab to access the updated Excel spreadsheet IN STEVE'S DEFENSE talks about some Western Conference sleepers in this week's edition. A must read! PRE-SEASON FANTASY BITS: For those wondering how Jarome Iginla was going to fit into the Boston lineup, we think he answered that question for us last night as he scored twice on a line with Milan Lucic and Dave Krejci. They have shown instant chemistry together with Lucic grabbing 3 assists in the B's 6-3 win over the Montreal Canadiens... Looking for a sleeper defenseman? 22 year-old Rookie Torey Krug has parlayed last year's playoff experience into a 3 assist performance last night against the Habs. If he continues like this, he should remain a staple on the Bruin's power play....Keep your eye on this combination as the signing of C Danny Briere might pay immediate dividends for the Canadiens as they lined the veteran up with Max Pacioretty and David Desharnais, who displayed the chemistry they had two seasons ago, and scored on some beautiful passing on the power play. Time will be needed for this trio but the signs are already there for some big things to come out of this Montreal threesome...More known for his brawn than offensive prowess, Florida D Erik Gudbranson potted 2 goals and added an assist in the game against the Nashville Predators yesterday. He did score 34 points in 44 games one year in the OHL...Detroit's C Pavel Datsyuk seems to be in mid-season form already as he had a goal and an assist in their 4-1 victory over the Penguins. D Brendan Smith added 2 assists. Is this a sign of things to come?...Rangers LW Rick Nash got better as the game went on...Flyers C Sean Couturier showed signs of chemistry with Jakub Voracek in the absence of Claude Giroux from the lineup. Couturier is one of our sleeper pick in the PrimePucks™ Fantasy Hockey Draft Guide for the upcoming season....Sharks D Matt Irwin was on the power play point in last night's game. Look for more of this as camp goes on.  One of our Dark Horses in the Draft Guide and also mentioned in today's IN STEVE'S DEFENSE as well...Vancouver's young talent was on display last night and they didn't disappoint with Brendan Gaunce and Hunter Shinkaruk both scoring goals in their loss to the Sharks. They will be big contributors for the Canucks in years to come. ***ATTENTION FANTASY HOCKEY LEAGUE COMMISSIONERS*** If you ...

ATTENTION EXCEL STAT SHEET SUBSCRIBERS-The 3-Year Excel Spreadsheet has been updated. Go to "MY ACCOUNT" and click on the FILES tab to access the updated Excel spreadsheet PRE-SEASON FANTASY BITS: For those wondering how Jarome Iginla was going to fit into the Boston lineup, we think he answered that question for us last night as he scored twice on a line with Milan Lucic and Dave Krejci. They have shown instant chemistry together with Lucic grabbing 3 assists in the B's 6-3 win over the Montreal Canadiens.  Looking for a sleeper defenseman? 22 year-old Rookie Torey Krug has parlayed last year's playoff experience into a 3 assist performance last night against the Habs. If he continues like this, he should remain a staple on the Bruin's power play....Keep your eye on this combination as the signing of C Danny Briere might pay immediate dividends for the Canadiens as they lined the veteran up with Max Pacioretty and David Desharnais, who displayed the chemistry they had two seasons ago, and scored on some beautiful passing on the power play. Time will be needed for this trio but the signs are already there for some big things to come out of this Montreal threesome...More known for his brawn than offensive prowess, Florida D Erik Gudbranson potted 2 goals and added an assist in the game against the Nashville Predators yesterday. He did score 34 points in 44 games one year in the OHL...Detroit's C Pavel Datsyuk seems to be in mid-season form already as he had a goal and an assist in their 4-1 victory over the Penguins. D Brendan Smith added 2 assists. Is this a sign of things to come?...Rangers LW Rick Nash got better as the game went on...Flyers C Sean Couturier showed signs of chemistry with Jakub Voracek in the adsence of Claude Giroux from the lineup. Couturier is one of our sleepers pick in the PrimePucks™ Fantasy Hockey Draft Guide for the upcoming season....Sharks D Matt Irwin was on the power play point in last night's game. Look for more of this as camp goes on.  One of our Dark Horses in the Draft Guide and also mentioned in today's IN STEVE'S DEFENSE as well...Vancouver's young talent was on display last night and they didn't disappoint with Brendan Gaunce and Hunter Shinkaruk both scoring goals in their loss to the Sharks. They will be big contributors for the Canucks in years to come. ***ATTENTION FANTASY HOCKEY LEAGUE COMMISSIONERS*** If you are the commissioner of an upcoming fantasy hockey league and will be holding a draft soon,  ...

SMITH AND RED WINGS FOR TWO MORE YEARS: Defenseman Brendan Smith and the Detroit Red Wings have agreed to a two-year/ $2.525 million extension. We love this guy to make a big fantasy jump in 2013-14, as he acquitted himself quite well last season, averaging nearly 19 minutes per game, along with eight assists and 34 PIM. He never cracked the top power-play unit as I had wrongly predicted, but the 24-year old did not look out of place in only his second year. He also made quite a splash in the playoffs with five points, including an overtime game-winning goal. Watch him, as he has big-time offensive upside, and besides Niklas Kronwall, not much competition from the current Detroit blue-line. FLORIDA STARTING GOALIE JOB UP FOR GRABS: The Florida Panthers have inked goaltender Jakub Markstrom to a two-year contract. Even though the 23-year old has struggled early in his NHL career with a combined 10-19-2 record, a 3.09 GAA and a .906 SP, he has tremendous starting upside. With Jose Theodore out of the picture, veteran Scott Clemmensen might begin the season as Florida's number one goalie, but we doubt it will end up that way. Markstrom should be the top dog in the Panther's crease when the 2013-14 season is all said and done. ISLES AGREE TO BAILEY EXTENSION: The Islanders former first-round pick in the 2008 draft has developed slower than expected in his first five seasons, but a great finish in 2013 has earned him a lofty pay raise. Josh Bailey and the Islanders have agreed to a five-year/ $16.5 million contract extension, as the organization truly believes that the 23-year old is a crucial part of the youth core that has pushed the team to playoff-caliber. Bailey collected 19 points in 38 games last season, but showed his worth with ten points in the last 13 games. Not fantasy relevant yet, but could make a big jump in 2013-14.

Kyle Quincey will be a scratch.

Smith was a minus-5 in his last five games which led to him being a healthy scratch in the Red WIngs last two games. He is Detroit's top-defensive prospect and at the age of 24. He has five assists in 26 games this season.

Smith has recorded two assists but was a minus player in each of the last five games.

Smith is the Red Wings best defensive prospect and aren't going to rush him back but the fact that Smith is back on the ice already is an encouraging sign for the Wings.

The original diagnosis for Smith's return was 10-14 days so 3-4 weeks isn't good news for Smith and Red Wings fans. Smith has played well for the Wings this year but it hasn't shown up on the scoresheet. He won't be fantasy relevant until he can score with some regularity.

Yet another injury for an already banged up Red Wings blueline. Ian White could be back on Tuesday and expect Brian Lashoff to fill in for Smith .

The NHL has made a new offer to the NHLPA in an attempt in ending the NHL lockout. Both sides will review the proposal today and if there is any common ground, a meeting can be set up for Sunday. More info as we get it.. Keep your eye on Detroit's second round pick from 2011, Xavier Ouellet. The hot-shot defenseman recorded two assists in Canada's 6-3 victory over Slovakia at the World Junior Championships and has been showing off his tremendous offensive skills in the QMJHL all season long. He could make the jump to the pros sooner than later as the Nicklas Lidstrom void in Detroit still needs to be filled. If young Brendan Smith doesn't get the job done, Ouellet should be next in line for an opportunity to be the Wing's power play quarterback of the future. He should be on all keeper league fantasy radars. Happy birthdays to D Filip Kuba and LW George Parros!