Pavel Datsyuk seems to be on a mission and with the way he's been playing so far in the pre-season he could finish in the top ten in scoring this year. Perhaps being in the Eastern Conference and having less travel time will improve all the Red Wing's numbers....Another mission statement, this one by Ryan Miller, who is out to prove that he belongs among the top goaltenders in the league. Don't write him off as this team could be underestimated....Who is Brayden McNabb? Sabre fans will know but perhaps the rest of the fantasy world doesn't.  The 22 year old defenseman had a goal and two assists in last night's win over the Hurricanes.  He played well with LW Johan Larsson, who had 2 goals and an assist in the game, but don't expect them to be major contributors this year. Keep them in mind though for the future perhaps...Two names that won't be voted off the Island if they produce are RW Kyle Okposo and C Josh Bailey. The former had 2 assists last night and the latter had 2 short-handed goals.  These 2 paired up and have shown some chemistry.  Don't forget them on draft day as the Islanders will be a much improved team this year....With all eyes on this year's top draft pick Jonathan Drouin, it was Brett Connolly who posted 2 goals in last night's game. Don't forget about this 46-goal scorer in the WHL in 2010-2011 and who also scored 31 goals in the AHL last year...Toronto Maple Leaf Nazem Kadri is proving that he will continue with the work effort he displayed last season by potting his 2nd goal of the pre-season. Big Signing:The Edmonton Oilers continue to lock up their young talent to long-term contracts. This time they inked C Ryan Nugent-Hopkins with a 7-year extension meaning RNH joins taylor Hall and Jordan Eberle who have signed long-term contracts with the club. Now the young guns can concentrate on hockey for the next 6-7 years.  Nugent-Hopkins had a disappointing 24 points in 40 games last year but was hindered by a shoulder injury and is now rehabbing from off-season surgery on that shoulder. Don't miss out on the latest ROMIE HITS THE POST. Romie focuses on two intriguing situations unfolding in Florida and New Jersey.  Check it out here. ***ATTENTION FANTASY HOCKEY LEAGUE COMMISSIONERS*** If you are the commissioner of an upcoming fantasy hockey league and will be holding a draft soon,  PrimePucks has some goodies for you to distribute to your league members.  Look even better to your league members by giving them free stuff.  Who doesn't...

Pre-season Bits: Pavel Datsyuk seems to be on a mission and with the way he's been playing so far in the pre-season he could finish in the top ten in scoring this year. Perhaps being in the Eastern Conference and having less travel time will improve all the Red Wing's numbers....Another mission statement, this one by Ryan Miller, who is out to prove that he belongs among the top goaltenders in the league. Don't write him off as this team could be underestimated....Who is Brayden McNabb? Sabre fans will know but perhaps the rest of the fantasy world doesn't.  The 22 year old had a goal and two assists in last night's win over the Hurricanes.  He played well with LW Johan Larsson, who had 2 goals and an assist in the game, but don't expect them to be major contributors this year. Keep them in mind...Two names that won't be voted off the Island if they produce are RW Kyle Okposo and C Josh Bailey. The Former had 2 assists last night and the latter had 2 short-handed goals.  These 2 paired up and have shown some chemistry.  Don't forget them on draft day as the Islanders will be a much improved team this year....With all eyes on this year's top draft pick Jonathan Drouin, it was Brett Connolly who posted 2 goals in last night's game. Don't forget about this 46-goal scorer in the WHL in 2010-2011 who also scored 31 goals in the AHL last year...Toronto Maple Leaf Nazem Kadri is proving that he will continue with the work effort he displayed last season by potting his 2nd goal of the pre-season. Don't miss out on the latest ROMIE HITS THE POST. Romie focuses on two intriguing situations unfolding in Florida and New Jersey.  Check it out here. ***ATTENTION FANTASY HOCKEY LEAGUE COMMISSIONERS*** If you are the commissioner of an upcoming fantasy hockey league and will be holding a draft soon,  PrimePucks has some goodies for you to distribute to your league members.  Look even better to your league members by giving them free stuff.  Who doesn't like free stuff?  Contact cj@primepucks.com to find out more. PrimePucks™ continues to bring you the NHL IN 30 every day in the month of September, bringing you in-depth team analysis for the upcoming season. Today's featured team: Nashville Predators!  Don't forget to check back each and every day for the latest featured team!

Sports writer Arthur Staple from Newsday wrote in his morning column "that in his gut he thinks that the Islanders winger Kyle Okposo will play on the top line with John Tavares." Staple's assertion could be due from insider information straight from the organization.  Okposo has been a big fantasy disappointment after scoring 52 points and 19 goals in 2009-2010.  Last year he had only 4 goals and 24 points in 48 games; but he was put on the top line in the playoffs against Pittsburgh though.  We have him at 52 points this year in our Draft Guide.  If he manages to stay on the top line with Tavares and Matt Moulson, he should easily exceed our expected point production. Keep an eye on this situation.

Sports writer Arthur Staple from Newsday this morning wrote "that in his gut he thinks that the Islanders will play Kyle Okposo on the top line with John Tavares." If Staple is saying this it is likely that he is getting some information from the organization.  Okposo has been a big fantasy disappointment after scoring 52 points and 19 goals in 2009-2010.  Last year he had only 4 goals and 24 points in 48 games.  But he was put on the top line in the playoffs against Pittsburgh though.  We have him at 52 points this year in our Draft Guide.  If he manages to stay on the top line with Tavares and Matt Moulson he should do better than that. Keep an eye on this situation.

Okposo getting a chance to fill the absence of P.A Parenteau on the Isles first line. Okposo gets a great chance to produce playing with Tavares and Moulson, and could make him a solid late round sleeper.

Okposo moves back down to the second line. He has 15 goals and 35 points in 70 games.

Okposo sticks on the top line for tonight's game. He has 15 goals and 35 points in 67 games.

Okposo moves back up to the top line with Parenteau out. He has 15 goals and 33 points in 66 games.

Okposo moves back down to the second line. He has 12 goals and 30 points through 54 games.

Okposo is expected to start today's game on the top line. The former 7th overall pick has 12 goals and 29 points in 50 games.