Some minor happenings around the league these past few days. Well, minor in the sense of fantasy hockey, but newsworthy items nonetheless. The Winnipeg Jets signed their 2017 1st round pick LW Kristian Vesalainen to a 3-year entry level contract on Sunday.  The winger is probably a few years away with no need to rush with eh Jets depth at the forward position. Some prominent free agent NHLers signing overseas in ex-Winnipeg Jet Tobias Enstrom and ex-NY Ranger and Montreal Canadien both signing with teams in the KHL on Friday. D Eric Gelinas signs in the KHL as well on Thursday. LW Emerson Etem is getting another chance to revive his disappointing NHL career with the LA Kings on a PTO. Michal Handzus announced his retirement last Tuesday. We posted our first rankings of the pre-season with the Team Rankings.  Others to follow.  Check out he right margin for the Rankings section. The 2018-019 PrimePucks™ Fantasy Hockey Draft Guide is up to date with some recent signings, some additional players added to the team pages and of course the Tiers. Enjoy the last days of summer!  Hockey is just around the corner, as are Mallomars! Ciao for now! Ray

Handzus missed the last two games after suffering an undisclosed injury last Sunday. There is no word on who will come out for Handzus, but our guess is Jeremy Morin.

Handzus has served as the Blackhawks second line centre this season, so tonight vs. the Wild they will be without their top-2 centremen. Handzus is listed as day-to-day. He is much more helpful to the Hawks than he is to your fantasy squad. He has just 15 points (4G / 11A) in 56 games this season.

Handzus missed the last two games with an illness but will suit up on the Hawks second line tonight. In 13 games he has one goal and three assists. Sheldon Brookbank is expected to be scratched with Handzus' return.

Handzus will miss his second straight game tonight, but could be return tomorrow vs. Anaheim. Jeremy Morin will draw into the lineup tonight.

Handzus will miss his second consecutive game with an illness. Jeremy Morin and Joakim Nordstrom were recalled this morning, one of them will fill in for Brandon Pirri who was playing in Handzus' spot.

Handzus recorded one assist in four games after returning from a hand injury, but will sit out tonight with an illness. Brandon Pirri will move back to the second line, Andrew Shaw shifts back to centre and Sheldon Brookbank will dress as the third line right winger.

Handzus missed a month after being injured on October 24. He is expected to skate on the second line LW with Brandon Pirri and Patrick Kane. Handzus had a goal and two assists in nine games.

Handzus will be back on the ice with the Blackhawks this week but is questionable for tomorrow's contest with the Oilers. If he does not return tomorrow, his next opportunity to return would be Wednesday vs. Calgary. Brandon Pirri posted 11 points in 19 games on the Blackhawks second line, so it is uncertain where Hanzus will slot into the lineup.

The Blackhawks continue to search for someone to fill their second line centre role. With Handzus missing the last eight games, Brandon Pirri has filled the role - he's posted one goal and three assists in that span.