If Marian can stay healthy this kid is a monster, last year he recorded 42 goals, 41 assists in 77 games. If the Habs can find a way to pick him up this would be huge for them and there Stanley Cup run. With a power play that is tops in the league, imagine adding Marian Gaborik to the mix…….Unstoppable.

Other reports coming out of Minnesota, indicate the Penguins are interested, but Minny is asking for Evgeni “Geno” Malkin straight up, the Oilers who are also interested in the Star forward. But Marian Gaborik wants out of Minny, do you actually think he will last long in Edmonton?

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Got a call this morning from a frantic Montreal sports radio station.

“Chris Higgins is not skating,” the voice said. “He’s not in the building. What are you hearing on your end?”

Oh, boy. Here we go …

The Marian Gaborik story has gone international, and what was briefly the Twin Cities’ own little hockey drama has quickly jumped the shark. What had moved incrementally via reporting and sourcing has been pushed into hyper drive by rumor, innuendo and speculation.

So get ready, Wild fans, it’s full-tilt-boogie on the Gabby rumors until this thing is resolved.

Rumors have been out there, but mostly crazy ones, such as Gaborik straight up for Pittsburgh’s Evgeni Malkin (Wild: “Uh, where do I sign?”) or Gaborik to Edmonton (he doesn’t want to be here, you think he wants to be in Edmonton?).

But the rumor the Montreal press was sinking its teeth into Monday isn’t so patently insane: Gaborik to Montreal for winger Higgins, backup goalie Jaroslav Halak and either a first-round draft pick or top prospect Ryan McDonagh (yes, that Ryan McDonagh).

Like all rumors, this one is not substantiated by a named source. That doesn’t mean it’s not true, but it does mean one should approach it with caution. For one thing, the numbers don’t add up: If the deal were done as is, Montreal would be about $3.86 million over the cap. And acquiring a backup goaltender doesn’t make much sense for the Wild.

Read The Rest Of The Article: TwinCities.com

If you don’t have a chance to select the top 8 players in the NHL, don’t worry because if you plan out your team ahead of time then you will do fine.  When I’m in a fantasy hockey draft I love having the middle of the pack pick because you never have to wait to long to make your next selection.

Lets take a look at my top 5 2008-2009 fantasy hockey Forwards for your fantasy hockey team in the upcoming Hockey season.

1.  Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins- One of the top players in the World right now, let alone the NHL.  If you have the first pick in your fantasy hockey draft you better take “Sid the Kid” enough said.  There should no questions on who or why?  This should be the first selection made in the fantasy hockey draft or in any draft let alone the one your in.  24 goals, 48 assists for 72 points in 53 games need I say more?  An average of 1.4 points per game, if he stays healthy this year and plays all 82 games that’s 112 points.  Expect the same point per game average again this year,  Malkin and Crosby to unstoppables.  Crosby for 200 points this year? You never know what can happens.  Trust me he wont let you down.

2.  Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals-  Alex, Alex, Alex wow what a talented hockey player.  This kid is just fearless on the ice.  He skates a million miles an hour, he never stops, he puts up ridiculous amounts of points and hell take the body with anyone in the corner.  Alex “OV” Ovechkin lead the NHL last year with 67 goals, 45 assists and 112 points.  You can bet that Alex will again improve on his overall numbers again this year, and he has yet to hit is prime, Scary!!!! Pick him quick because you won’t find him available at past #2 in your fantasy hockey draft. 

3.  Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh Penguins-  When Sidney Crosby went down with an injury last year, nobody expected Evgeni Malkin aka “Geno Malkin” to put the team on his back and lead them through the season and to the Stanley Cup finals.  This young gun came into form last year as all scouts expected him to, compiling 47 goals, 59 assists for 106 points and playing all 82 games.  We have to admit he did not perform during the playoffs as he did during the regular season.  But that’s ok, well pretend that never happened.  Last season stats with out Sidney Crosby for half the year, says enough.  This is why he should be #3 on you list of top fantasy hockey forwards.

4.  Jarome Iginla, Calgary Flames-  Iginla is the straw that stirs the drink for the Calgary Flames who continue to build the franchise around him.  Last year he had 50 goals, 48 assists for 98 points.  Expect him to have a repeat year and improve on those number 50 and 100 is more like it for “Iggy Pop”.  Iginla played all 82 games last year for the Flames.  With the new additions to the team that include Mike Cammaleri and Todd Bertuzzi you can be sure that his power play numbers will increase.  Expect large things from Iginla, he will produce for you fantasy hockey team.  Make sure you select him with one of the first 7 picks in the first round of your hockey draft.

5.  Pavel Datsyuk, Detroit Red Wings – After winning the Stanley Cup last year and having one of his best seasons as an Pro.  When the wings need goals, they put Datsyuk on the ice.  When they need to prevent goals they put Datsyuk on the ice.  You get the picture.  He totaled 31 goals, 66 assists and 97 points in 82 games.  Datsyuk will look to have a repeat year for the unstoppable Red Wings.  With the addition of Marian Hossa, you can be sure that the Red Wings power play will be one of the best in the league.  Look for Datsyuk and Hossa to work well together on the power play and rack up on those “PP” points.  Expect more fireworks, draft Pavel Datsyuk early in the first round.

Honorable Mention:  Danny Heatley, Joe Thornton, Olli Jokinen, Vincent Lecavalier, Henrik Zetterberg, Marian Hossa.

Sleepers:  Kyle Turris, Bobby Ryan, Mikkel Boedker, Mikko Koivu.

With the Stanley cup final just about done as Detroit has opened a 3-1 strangle hold on Pittsburgh most people are left wondering what the hell happened to Evgeni Malkin. After watching game four it was evident to me that much of Malkin’s problems stem from the fact that Detroit is simply shutting him down. A roster full of Norris and Selke trophy winners has proved to be too much for the Penguin’s young star, and also the team as whole.

The last time I checked in order to score goals you have to hit the net, something which the Pens have struggled with in this series. So far, Malkin has only hit the net 9 times, with a total of zero points. Against Philly he hit the net 13 times accumulating 5 points. As a team the Penguins have been out shot 134 to 88 by the wings in the series, which is a huge difference.

It’s too bad really, after such a great season where Malkin established himself as one the leagues top players that he and the rest of the Pens have been so ineffective against the Wings. I think this speaks less about the Penguins performance and more about the Red Wings. They have risen to the occasion and showed the NHL why they are the team that will eventually hoist the cup.

For the Fans of Pittsburgh don’t be sad, the Pens will have a good team for years to come. They might not have all the same players together in the future as that is the nature of the new NHL but they will have Crosby, and his presence alone will insure the team’s success in the future.

As for Geno Malkin he is still an excellent pick in seasonal fantasy pools as he continues to grow as one of the leagues best players.