Kovalchuk to play Saturday afternoon v FLA - Ilya Kovalchuk | NJ

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

Ilya Kovalchuk will play Saturday afternoon against Florida.

Ilya Kovalchuk improves, might play Saturday - Ilya Kovalchuk | NJ

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

Ilya Kovalchuk (shoulder) was upbeat after Friday's practice.

Devils in no hurry to shut down Kovalchuk - Ilya Kovalchuk | NJ

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

New Jersey coach Pete DeBoer isn't looking very far into the future when it comes to Ilya Kovalchuk's possible return from a shoulder injury.

Ilya Kovalchuk: Not Ready Yet

Source: RotoWire.com NHL

Ilya Kovalchuk: Kovalchuk (shoulder) won't travel to Philadelphia, where the Devils play Thursday. "He's not close enough to be a consideration, so we're going to leave him back," coach Pete DeBoer noted Wednesday. Visit RotoWire.com for more analysis on this update.

Devils won't get Ilya Kovalchuk back Thursday - Ilya Kovalchuk | NJ

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

Ilya Kovalchuk (shoulder) will not travel with his Devils teammates to Philadelphia for Thursday night's match against the Flyers.

Ilya Kovalchuk: Could Play Thursday

Source: RotoWire.com NHL

Ilya Kovalchuk: Kovalchuk (right shoulder) remains day-to-day, the Record's Tom Gulitti reports. Visit RotoWire.com for more analysis on this update.

Ilya Kovalchuk will practice again Wednesday - Ilya Kovalchuk | NJ

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

Ilya Kovalchuk (shoulder) will practice again Wednesday but remains day-to-day.

Ilya Kovalchuk probably won't play Monday - Ilya Kovalchuk | NJ

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

It doesn't look like Ilya Kovalchuk, who still ailing from a shoulder injury, will be ready to play Monday night in Toronto.

Ilya Kovalchuk won't return to lineup Friday - Ilya Kovalchuk | NJ

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

Ilya Kovalchuk (shoulder) is not ready to return and won't play Friday night against the Ottawa Senators.

Kovalchuk progressing, may return next week - Ilya Kovalchuk | NJ

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

Ilya Kovalchuk (shoulder) skated again Wednesday during New Jersey's optional practice.

Kovalchuk still 'a few more days' from return - Ilya Kovalchuk | NJ

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

Ilya Kovalchuk (shoulder) says he's still "a few more days" from returning to the New Jersey Devils' lineup.

Ilya Kovalchuk practices with Devils Tuesday - Ilya Kovalchuk | NJ

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

Ilya Kovalchuk (shoulder) took part in a non-contact practice Tuesday morning.

No timetable for Kovalchuk to resume skating - Ilya Kovalchuk | NJ

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

Ilya Kovalchuk (shoulder) still doesn't have a timetable for when he'll be able to resume skating.

Ilya Kovalchuk won't be back in 'near future' - Ilya Kovalchuk | NJ

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

New Jersey Devils coach Pete DeBoer says Ilya Kovalchuk (shoulder) will return this season but "not in the near future."

Ilya Kovalchuk out 2-4 weeks (shoulder) - Ilya Kovalchuk | NJ

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

Tough early news on Ilya Kovalchuk: he suffered a right shoulder injury that's expected to keep him out for 2-4 weeks, according to The Bergen Record.

Ilya Kovalchuk: Exits Saturday With Apparent Shoulder Injury

Source: RotoWire.com NHL

Ilya Kovalchuk: Kovalchuk left Saturday's game against the Panthers with an apparent shoulder injury, the Bergen Record's Tom Gulitti reports. Visit RotoWire.com for more analysis on this update.

Shuffle Up: The Unrankable Alex Ovechkin

Source: Roto Arcade by Scott Pianowski

The new assignment on the Shuffle Up clipboard is the forwards, the men who drive so much of the fantasy equation. We're looking at the basic Yahoo! scoring categories here (goals, assists, power-play points, shots on goal, plus-minus, penalty minutes) and we're trying to project how they'll play out from this point forward. Position flexibility and scarcity also counts a small amount; in theory, it's a tie-breaker between similar commodities.

What's happened to this point is merely an audition; this list is not intended to merely stand as a list of stat leaders. In every Shuffle Up, some will find the list too reactive while others will feel it's not reactive enough. Everyone has a different perspective, and I welcome

Ponikarovsky practices on Devils' top line - Alexei Ponikarovsky | NJ

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

Alexei Ponikarovsky is projected to play alongside Travis Zajac and Ilya Kovalchuk on Friday.

Kovalchuk not worried about sluggish start - Ilya Kovalchuk | NJ

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

Ilya Kovalchuk knows he can produce more, but he isn't overly concerned about his offensive numbers because the team is winning.

Henrique to continue to play on N.J. #1 line - Adam Henrique | NJ

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

Adam Henrique will continue to skate alongside Ilya Kovalchuk and Travis Zajac on the Devils' top forward line.

Stefan Matteau skates with Zajac, Kovalchuk - Stefan Matteau | NJ

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

Stefan Matteau practiced alongside Travis Zajac and Ilya Kovalchuk on Saturday.

Zubrus to start on Devils' top unit Saturday - Dainius Zubrus | NJ

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

Dainius Zubrus looks as if he will start the season on the Devils' top line with Travis Zajac and Ilya Kovalchuk.

Ilya Kovalchuk: Back In U.S. After KHL Stint

Source: RotoWire.com NHL

Ilya Kovalchuk: Kovalchuk has returned from Russia and will attend New Jersey's practice Wednesday afternoon, the Bergen Record's Tom Gulitti reports. Visit RotoWire.com for more analysis on this update.

Ilya Kovalchuk denies wanting to stay in KHL - Ilya Kovalchuk | NJ

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

Ilya Kovalchuk spoke to the media on Wednesday when he returned to New Jersey and he said he never considered staying in the KHL.

Ilya Kovalchuk rejoins Devils for camp - Ilya Kovalchuk | NJ

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

Ilya Kovalchuk arrived at the Prudential Center Wednesday morning from his extended stay in Russia.

Shuffle Up: Evgeni Malkin rules the world

Source: Roto Arcade by Scott Pianowski

You're going to need plenty of offensive firepower to win your fake hockey league this year. Here's a list of 112 forwards to get you started.

Normal Shuffle Up rules apply. I reserve the right to tweak this list as the day goes along; bring your best debates to the comments. Win the discussion, win the rank. And it's all good if you have a lot of disagreement on the list - that's what makes the game so enjoyable. If everyone had the same general ranks, what fun is that?

Categories considered in this exercise: goals, assists, plus-minus, power-play points, shots on goal, penalty minutes. And implicit in any ranking is an eye towards playing time, durability, upside and downside. One additional

Lamoriello: Ilya Kovalchuk won't be punished - Ilya Kovalchuk | NJ

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

Devils GM Lou Lamoriello said Ilya Kovalchuk won't face any repercussions for missing the start of the team's training camp.

Ilya Kovalchuk: Set To Miss First Few Days Of Camp

Source: RotoWire.com NHL

Ilya Kovalchuk: Kovalchuk said Friday that he will travel back to the United States on Jan.15, the Record's Tom Gulitti reports. Visit RotoWire.com for more analysis on this update.

Kovalchuk expected to return to Devils Monday - Ilya Kovalchuk | NJ

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

Ilya Kovalchuk is expected to leave the KHL for North America on Monday.

Ilya Kovalchuk: Enjoying the KHL

Source: RotoWire.com NHL

Ilya Kovalchuk: Kovalchuk indicated that he prefers to remain in the KHL for the rest of the season, but acknowledged he's not sure if his contract with the Devils would make that possible, Sport-Express of Russia reports. "I want to stay in St. Petersburg but I have contractual obligations in the NHL, which will be hard to break," Kovalchuk said. Visit RotoWire.com for more analysis on this update.

Kovalchuk wants to finish season in KHL - Ilya Kovalchuk | NJ

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

Ilya Kovalchuk is interested in staying with KHL St. Petersburg for the remainder of the season, but concedes that probably won't be possible.

Ilya Kovalchuk to play in KHL All-Star Game? - Ilya Kovalchuk | NJ

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

Ilya Kovalchuk is currently the only NHL player scheduled to play in the KHL All-Star Game on Sunday.

KHL will fight for players who wish to stay - Ilya Kovalchuk | NJ

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

The KHL may be gearing up to challenge the NHL for the rights to some players who decide they want to stay.

Unlocking The Crazy 2013 Fantasy Hockey Season

Source: Roto Arcade by Scott Pianowski

Finally, hockey hell is just about over. Let the madness of NHL 2013 begin.

The four-month lockout is expected to become a footnote later this week when the owners and players officially ratify the new Collective Bargaining Agreement. A microwaved season, expected to be 48 games, will start at some point in January. It's going to be a mad scramble for players, coaches, ownership . . . and fantasy owners.

Today's goal is to tackle some general Q and A themes as we get ready for the first puck drop, whenever that is. Shuffle Up rankings by position will follow in the days to come. There's no time to lose, so let's jump right into the rush.

So Yahoo! has a fantasy hockey game for 2013, right?

Ilya Kovalchuk is waiting for CBA completion - Ilya Kovalchuk | NJ

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

Ilya Kovalchuk reportedly told R-Sport that he is waiting for the official announcement of the CBA.

Does Kovalchuk want to return to the NHL? - Ilya Kovalchuk | NJ

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

Ilya Kovalchuk's future with the New Jersey Devils and the NHL has come into question with rumors swirling that he might want to remain in Russia with the KHL.

Kovy scores twice in SKA win Sunday - Ilya Kovalchuk | NJ

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

Ilya Kovalchuk scored two goals and added a helper to pace SKA St. Petersburg to a 5-3 win over HC Lev in KHL action Sunday.

Kovalchuk: Datsyuk is the world's best center - Pavel Datsyuk | DET

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

New Jersey winger Ilya Kovalchuk is thrilled to get the opportunity to play alongside Detroit center Pavel Datsyuk for Russia's national team at the Euro Hockey Tour.

Ilya Kovalchuk denies feud with KHL coach - Ilya Kovalchuk | NJ

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

Another rumor involving Ilya Kovalchuk was refuted on Monday.

Ilya Kovalchuk leads St. Petersburg in points - Ilya Kovalchuk | NJ

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

Ilya Kovalchuk leads his St. Petersburg team in points with 28 this season.

Kovalchuk is the KHL's Player of the Month - Ilya Kovalchuk | NJ

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

Ilya Kovalchuk was selected as the KHL's top player for the month of October.

Hedberg: Salary cutbacks could damage NHL - Johan Hedberg | NJ

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

Johan Hedberg is joining the camp of players who claim that reducing NHL salaries will present the KHL with an opportunity to lure NHL stars like Ilya Kovalchuk and Alex Ovechkin.

Ilya Kovalchuk continues his hot KHL play - Ilya Kovalchuk | NJ

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

Ilya Kovalchuk continued his assault on KHL goaltenders on Saturday.

Ilya Kovalchuk pots hat trick for SKA - Ilya Kovalchuk | NJ

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

Ilya Kovalchuk tallied a hat trick to give SKA St. Petersburg a 4-2 triumph against CSKA Moscow.

Ilya Kovalchuk to sign with KHL team Tuesday - Ilya Kovalchuk | NJ

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

The KHL's SKA St. Petersburg will announce the signing of Ilya Kovalchuk on Tuesday, according the team's website.

Ilya Kovalchuk (back) will be ready for camp - Ilya Kovalchuk | NJ

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

Ilya Kovalchuk is expected to be ready to go for the scheduled start of training camp after recovering from the back ailment that bothered him during the postseason.

2011-12 NHL All-Fantasy Teams (Goals, Rookies, Goons, Special Teams and More)

Source: Bleacher Report NHL

The 2011-12 NHL season is over, so let's look at who makes the cut for the FHC All-Star Fantasy Teams.  Positions are taken from NHL.com.

 

All-Rookie Team
G – Braden Holtby was great in the playoffs and won four of six starts in the regular season.
D – Justin Faulk led all rookie D-men with five PP goals and 12 PP points.
D – Slava Voynov took advantage of the Jack Johnson deal to get 20 points in 54 games.
L – Gabriel Landeskog was second in rookie goals and tied for first in rookie points.
C – Ryan Nugent-Hopkins scored 18 goals and 52 points in just 62 games.
R – Matt Read led all rookies with 24

Kovalchuk (back) isn't sure about treatment - Ilya Kovalchuk | NJ

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

Ilya Kovalchuk isn't sure if his ailing back will require an off-season procedure.

Devils' line shuffling no help in 2-1 OT loss - Ilya Kovalchuk | NJ

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

New Jersey coach Peter DeBoer shuffled his lines in the Devils' 2-1 overtime loss to the Kings Saturday night.

Devils won't avoid Kovalchuk-Doughty matchup - Ilya Kovalchuk | NJ

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

The New Jersey Devils aren't going to try and avoid having Ilya Kovalchuk matched up with Kings defenseman Drew Doughty.