Nightly Hockey Hits: Forsberg has NHL scouts drooling again, Oilers arena project faces more tough questions, Can the Caps convert Redskins fans? Can the Stars be the West’s surprise team this season?

Some news and notes from across the blogs today:

• Hockey or Die:  Was the hat-trick by San Jose defecemen Doug Murray the most unlikeliest in league history?  Given his numbers I would say it probably was.  (210 NHL Games – 1 goal).
• All things Avs:  Forsberg looking like old self, has scouts drooling.  What NHL team wouldn’t want a Peter Forsberg who looks like he did 5 years ago. 
  
• Puck Daddy:  Q & A with NHL Commish Gary Bettman with topics ranging from NHL participation in the Olympics to the current situation in Phoenix.  He really is an excellent spinmaster.
• On Frozen Pond:  Hello Helsinki.  Miami Herald sportswriter George Richards heads off to Finland and takes you along for the ride.
• Fire & Ice:  Is there room for both Sestito and Pelley on the Devils’ opening night roster?  Seems like Lemaire is putting it into their hands.
• On Frozen Blog:  How do the Caps convert Redskins fans over?  Having Tara Wheeler (former Miss Virginia & also a goalie at Penn State) who currently does Comcast Fan casts from Redskins games at Caps games would be a good start.
  
• Cult of Hockey:  Lamphier has some tough questions about a downtown arena for Edmonton Oilers president Patrick LaForge.  These questions need to be asked before a project like this can be undertaken.
• Oilers Nation:  Deep thoughts XIII: Brass tacks.  Pretty good assessment of what the Oilers are going to look like this season.
• Heated Skates:  In defence of Cody Hodgson.  Is the media being too harsh with Hodgson? (hope the spit is intended for Gillis & Vigneault).
• The Fifth Feather:  Central Division off season (for dummies).  I’d agree that the Central is gearing up to be the toughest division yet again.
• Inside the Kings:  Clune making the team?  If he is Sean Avery, sans attitude, then he is likely a good addition to a team’s 4th line.
• Andrew’s Dallas Stars Page: Stars make more cuts, zero in on final roster.  While Rich has picked the Blues as his surprise team this year, I think the Stars are set to have a bounce back year this upcoming season.
  
• Lions in Winter:  Looking at Montreal’s reserve defencemen.  Very detailed analysis.
• Let There Be Light(House):  Negotiations and love songs.  A very informative site for everything that is going on with the Islanders attempts to get a new arena on the Island.
• Bird Watchers Anonymous:  Battle for jobs remains red hot in Atlanta.  Always a good thing for your team, when you have multiple players competing for the same job.
• The Bruins Blog:  Win over Sens was telling.  How odd is it that the Bruins have won all 5 pre season games by scores of 2-1.
• Maple Leafs Hot Stove:  Post-Game: Gustavsson the Great?  If the Leafs can get solid goaltending, they might just be the surprise team from the East.