-The likelihood of a Forsberg comeback has diminished, as TSN is reporting his ankle is not holding up in practice.
–Steven Stamkos tops the Mckeen’s 2008 Draft List.
–Ilya Kovalchuk named the NHL’s First Star of the Week. Lundquist and Gaborik are 2nd and 3rd, respectively.
–Kyle Wellwood and Mark Bell will rejoin the Leafs tomorrow night.
-In related news, Jason Spezza will miss his third straight game tomorrow night.
-The Blue Jackets Pascale Leclaire has been the surprise of the NHL thus far.
-The NHL’s Rookie Watch looks at Nick Foligno.
-Mel Bridgman with a look at Mike Cammalleri. Note to Mike. If you read this site and are bored in LA in the near future, look up my sister-in-law. She will be temporarily out of work due to the writers strike and needs something to do. I won’t be able to handle family functions if she marries an actor or poet.
–A look at Team’s WHL and OHL for the ADT Canada-Russia Challenge.
–Gene Principe wonders if the Oilers are cursed.
-A look at Blue Jacket prospect Derick Brassard, who was named the AHL Rookie of the Month for October.
-Henrik Lundqvist is leading the Rangers resurgence.
–INCH with their weekly college hockey rankings. Miami of Ohio remains on top.
–Lyle Richardson with an article on the early season reluctance of some GM’s to make a trade.
–Eric Duhatschek discusses the same subject.
–Ken Campbell suggests that the Ottawa Senators make a play for Mats Sundin. Sure thing Ken, and Stephen Harper will be caught having a 3-way with Taliban Jack Layton and Belinda Stronach. (For our American and foreign readers, that means not bloody likely)
–Becky Kellar has returned to the Canadian Women’s Hockey team after the birth of her 2nd child. And I can’t even get Amanda to strap on the pads to play shinny in the basement.
–Newsday notes that the Penguins scouts are following the Dallas Stars.
–Taking Note with a roundup of weekend action in the WHL.
–Fanhouse discusses the return of the 2 minute major, complete with a dig at Joni Pitkanen.
–Stan Fischler reports that Paul Kelly aims to expand NHL tv coverage in the US.
–Sean Avery is in mid-season form, calling out Martin Brodeur and challenging Zach Parise to a fight.
-Adrian Aucoin is adapting to life as a Calgary Flame.
-Did Brian Bellows throw a tantrum when his kid was cut from the squirts team?
-ESPN notes that Martin Havlat is close to returning.
-The Tampa Bay Lightning are also bad in the minors.
-Adam Proteau’s mailbag.
-The NHL Notebook, courtesy of the National Post.
-Yahoo christens the Twin Cities as the new Hockeytown.
-A look at the surprises and disappointments of the first month in the NHL.
For Illegal Curve, I’m Kyle Kosior