If you are counting on Staal, it appears he may be nearing a return to the Rangers' blueline soon.

It is a good sign that Staal is able to take part in workouts less than a week after suffering a concussion, but he will need to be cleared medically and start skating with the team before he can return to the lineup. Expect him to miss at least one more week.

Plenty of tidbits of information to share this evening on the NHL's trendiest fantasy defensemen, so we tweaked the format a bit. Here are some thoughts and observations to pass on: Dion Phaneuf was suspended for two games for boarding Kevan Miller of Boston Saturday night. The Toronto defenseman has been a huge fantasy disappointment with only 12 points in 31 games, but think BUY LOW when you hear his name. His fantasy value can't get any lower, but the Toronto offense will get better in the 2nd half and so will Phaneuf.Anaheim's Cam Fowler is clearly on the rise, as made evident by three points (1G/2A) last night against the Islanders and six in the last five. With 19 points in 33 games, the 22-year old should fly by his career-high of 40 points, established in his rookie season. BREAKOUT ALERT in Year 4.James Wisniewski will miss about a week for Columbus with an upper-body injury. Hopefully, he picks up where he left off, as the hard-shooting blueliner has been blazing with 18 points in 28 games. He is delivering to the Blue Jackets the type of offensive production he provided for Montreal in '10-11, when he scored a career-high 51 points. I believe he is still an elite fantasy option, but he needs to stay healthy.After leaving Saturday's game with an upper-body injury, Kimmo Timonen returned last night in grand style by collecting a goal and an assist. Another splendid BUY LOW opportunity, as the Finnish defender has struggled with only 8 points in 30 games but he has showed signs of late. Try to acquire him on the cheap, as Timonen is always good for 35+ points.It's official- Marc Staal has been diagnosed with his second concussion. Having yet to flourish as consistent point-producer in his NHL career, the skilled d-man has much more value in real life than fantasy. Just ask goalie Henrik Lundqvist, who must be praying for him to get back soon.Andrei Markov got a littled banged up in Saturday's game, but the Montreal defenseman looked fine in practice today. He has been super since returning from his knee injury, so treat him as upper-tier fantasy option.It's 16 games and counting without scoring a goal for Tobias Enstrom. That's some streak of futility for the normally reliable scoring defender, but he is more known for dishing out assists. Having said that, only one assist during that time is not good. He is getting plenty of quality ice-time, but the Winnipeg power-play is dead last in the NHL. That should change, but keep Enstrom on the bench ...

Staal suffered the concussion in Saturday's loss to the Devils and could be sidelined for a lengthy period of time. Despite the concussion not being as serious as the last, it is a concussion nonetheless. Staal will likely land on IR as Michael Del Zotto and Justin Falk now appear to have permanent spots on the Rangers' blueline for the next couple of weeks.

There is still no word on whether or not Staal suffered a concussion but he will be monitored closely by doctors over the next few days. Michael Del Zotto will enter the lineup with Staal out. Consider him questionable for Tuesday vs. Nashville.

Staal was able to skate off under his own power but did not return to the game. It has the sounds of a possible concussion and he seems doubtful to play tonight vs. Washington. Monitor his status as puck-drop draws near.

The coffee is hot, be careful! Did Kris Versteeg hit the lottery or what? Going back to Chicago is a blessing although I just hope he leaves his injury problems behind. He first game back with the Blackhawks looked more like a Panthers game than a Hawks game. Carey Price has lost 5 of last 6 and has some hard luck in some of those. Perhaps a good "buy low" op has arisen. Does Evgeni Nabokov and Nikolai Khabibulin going down with groin injuries last night tell you something? Duchene went down with an oblique injury. Everyone hopes it won't be serious, me included, but it just sounds serious. This year's boy wonder, Ben Bishop, left the game last night with an UBI (upper-body injury). Tough night to be a goaltender in the NHL. JVR scored his 8th and 9th last night. The Leafs need more of that.  It just can't be all Kessel, all the time. Kudos to Rangers G Cam Talbot for notching his first NHL shutout as he blanked the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre. No easy feat! Every single Ranger player had a SOG except for D Marc Staal. Where in the world is David Desharnais? Max Pacioretty needs you! Martin Brodeur has turned back the clock winning 4 in a row and 6 of his last 7. I'd never thought I would ever say this, but the Penguins offense stinks of late. If you haven't noticed but the Philadelphia Flyers and New Jersey Devils are slowly but surely moving up the Conference rankings. Is it me or do the Islanders have the Red Wings' number? Pavel Datysuk jersey is the third best selling NHL jersey. I think that's what I've heard.  He is really amazing.  You too Zetterberg. Steen ain't losing any steam it seems. Do you know who led the Red Wing defensemen in shots on goal in that Islander game? Quincey and Lashoff with 1 each. Brock Nelson had 7 SOG last night. Who?  Put this kid on your watch list.  His name sounds like a tough hockey player.  Semin is the perfect example of those players who play hard only for the money. Got his contract after last year's tremendous season, and now only has like 9 points at the quarter mark.  That's a total of 36 for the year.  Bleeeech! The Nashville Predators scored a week's worth of goals against the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday. 7 goals!  A miracle in the music city. I'm beginning to like Brandon Pirri more and more. 9 points in 15 games this year for the rookie. I love how David Backes gives you a little bit of everything every night. Shane Doan gets overlooked in almost all fantasy leagues but he is quietly having...

It appears that the NY Rangers are waking up from their horrendous opening season road trip. One who was definitely caffeinated last night was Derek Stepan with the hattie. If you would have told me a month ago that Colorado would be leading the entire NHL in points at this juncture, I would have said ‘you're crazy!" Last Sunday I mentioned that it would be a good time to try and get Patrick Sharp on your team. HE had 4 points in 3 games this week.  Times up! I am amazed that Edmonton can't get their act together. When will the tide finally turn for this team? I'm so glad that Max Pacioretty is back n the lineup for the Habs. They are so good when he's in their lineup. It's nice to see Tampa Bay and Toronto at the top of the Atlantic standings. The Oilers are saying thank goodness for the Buffalo Sabres. I think. Nashville is playing tough with their top netminder Pekka Rinne. Hopefully he will return this season. Of course I write about Blackhawk Brandon Pirri in my latest "UNDER THE RAYDAR" piece and he goes pointless. In the "Ewwwww" Dept., Yakupov (-12), Hemsky (-11), Marc Staal (-10), RNH (-10), Justin Schultz (-10) and Eric Staal (-10) are having a rough start. The trend is to not be an Edmonton Oiler or a Staal brother. I would not have believed that Patrick Kane is a -9 so far this season. Was he on the ice for all the goals against Chicago?  It just seems like it I guess. He Ducks, and Corey Perry, quacked all over the Sabres on Saturday night. What does this tell you when three rookies in your Sabres lineup are the only players with a + next to their name in that Ducks game? It tells you that you probably need a new head coach. You just knew that Ben Bishop was going to put in a solid effort against his former team, the Blues. It was good to see Jaden Schwartz finally get a decent amount of Shots On Goal last night with 6. And in the "Inept Game of the Week", Philly edged out New Jersey 1-0 only because somebody had to win. Lundqvist is starting to look better. Perhaps a new contract is on the horizon? It was like the "old" days of the Southeast Division when the Caps played the Panthers in a tight contest last night. They seem so long ago.  LOL.  It's going to take me a while to get used to these new divisions, or whatever they are called now. Hats off to Pittsburgh backup goaltender, Jeff Zatkoff, who earned his first win in a shutout of the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Jackets suddenly have seemed to have lost their chutzpah lately by going ...

Three straight road losses for Henrik Lundqvist are no more, as the elite goaltender propelled the New York Rangers to victory by shutting out the Washington Capitals 2-0. His 22-save performance marked the 46th time he has blanked a team in his NHL career. Lundqvist has endured his share of struggles to start the season, but expect things to get back to normal now that the team have ended their extended season-opening West Coast trip... D John Moore scored his first goal of the season, the eventual game-winner and also fired 5 SOG. With Michael Del Zotto sitting out due to flu-like symptoms, the young rearguard quarterbacked the top power-play unit and could surprise if he continues to play there. It seems that Vigneault's experiment to play Marc Staal with the man-advantage has failed for now. Staal played over 23 minutes but ZERO on the PP... Brad Richards is off to a rockin' start with two more assists, raising his season total to seven points in six games. No longer under the intense scrutiny of former Head Coach John Tortorella, the veteran pivot has re-energized his career so far and could make a serious push for 65-70 points. More Fantasy Notes: Viktor Fasth was rock-solid between the pipes, turning aside 33 of 35 shots in Anaheim's 3-2 win over Calgary. His numbers currently stand at 2-1 with a 3.33 GAA and a .877 SP, which are underwhelming considering how well he played during his debut season in '12-13. For now, Jonas Hiller is the clear no.1 in Anaheim.. Not many games last night, but there are a few injuries that fantasy owners should consider. Winnipeg's Evander Kane was helped off the ice during the team's practice on Wednesday and is questionable for their next contest. The talented forward is coming off arguably his best game of the young season, so this could be bad timing if he is out for awhile. Martin St. Louis sat out practice due to a foot injury. He is considered day-to-day. Also, Montreal winger Max Pacioretty (LBI) suffered a presumed foot injury, but the severity is unknown. He could miss some time, but monitor the situation.

Three straight road losses for Henrik Lundqvist are no more, as the elite goaltender propelled the New York Rangers to victory by shutting out the Washington Capitals 2-0. His 22-save performance marked the 46th time he has blanked a team in his NHL career. Lundqvist has endured his share of struggles to start the season, but expect things to get back to normal now that the team have ended their extended season-opening West Coast trip... D John Moore scored his first goal of the season, the eventual game-winner and also fired 5 SOG. With Michael Del Zotto sitting out due to flu-like symptoms, the young rearguard quarterbacked the top power-play unit and could surprise if he continues to play there. It seems that Vigneault's experiment to play Marc Staal with the man-advantage has failed for now. Staal played over 23 minutes but ZERO on the PP... Brad Richards is off to a rockin' start with two more assists, raising his season total to seven points in six games. No longer under the intense scrutiny of former Head Coach John Tortorella, the veteran pivot has re-energized his career so far and could make a serious push for 65-70 points. More Fantasy Notes: Viktor Fasth was rock-solid between the pipes, turning aside 33 of 35 shots in Anaheim's 3-2 win over Calgary. His numbers currently stand at 2-1 with a 3.33 GAA and a .877 SP, which are underwhelming considering how well he played during his debut season in '12-13. For now, Jonas Hiller is the clear no.1 in Anaheim.. Not many games last night, but there are a few injuries that fantasy owners should consider. Winnipeg's Evander Kane was helped off the ice during the team's practice on Wednesday and is questionable for their next contest. The talented forward is coming off arguably his best game of the young season, so this could be bad timing if he is out for awhile. Martin St. Louis sat out practice due to a foot injury. He is considered day-to-day. Also, Montreal winger Max Pacioretty (LBI) suffered a presumed foot injury, but the severity is unknown. He could miss some time, but monitor the situation.