Colorado's Wojtek Wolski looks very healthy and ready for a big season . He came into camp in better physical condition, and that combined with playing on a line with Paul Stastny, and Milan Hejduk should really help him have his best season yet. We can't be sure whether the Av's will choose to leave that much talent together on one line, but early on those three looked very tough to defend.

The Wings Ville Leino has found himself playing a third line role alongside Jason Williams, and Valtteri Filppula in the early going. He'll be counted on to replace the offense that Jiri Hudler (playing in the KHL in 2009/10) has produced. Early impressions suggest he should be up to that task.

Kings D Jack Johnson looks healthy and confident and ready to make a bigger contribution on the offensive end. His career high is only 11 points (done twice), but he's one to watch as he's jumping into the play and using his shot more this season.

Judging by comments in my e-mail there are a lot of concerns about Martin Brodeur's slow start in the Devils net. Keep in mind that this team went through a number of changes this summer (including Jacques Lemaire returning to the franchise as head coach) and will need some time to come together. The fact that Lemaire is a "defense first" coach suggests you should hang on to Brodeur and watch to see if the team can begin to limit the number of opportunities in front of him.

With the Rangers, Brandon Dubinsky missed a lot of camp while in a contract dispute with the club. On Opening night though he lined up alongside newcomers to Broadway in Marian Gaborik, and Vaclav Prospal and the three look like they've played together for years. Dubinsky is going to obliterate his career high of 41 points set last season.

Ottawa's Alexei Kovalev didn't get a shot on net in his debut despite playing over 20 minutes. He too will need time to get comfortable in his new surroundings though with him you can expect several periods this year where he'll look like he wants to be anywhere other than playing hockey. He looked totally disinterested against the Rangers Saturday.

Speaking of the Senators and the game against the Rangers, 19 year old blueliner Erik Karlsson got off 5 shots and looked pretty good for a guy making his NHL debut.

James van Riemsdyk of the Flyers had points in each of his first 2 games. One thing to remember with a player like this - he has a John Leclair or Keith Tkachuk type upside, but young power forwards take time to develop so expect some bumps along the way. Seeing him this past week playing with another young budding star in Claude Giroux was one of the more exciting developments from week 1.

In Phoenix they have put a Czech line together featuring Martin Hanzal,Radim Vrbata, and Petr Prucha. Prucha is the guy you should watch here as he may be the only guy to previously score 30 goals in a season and still be available on your waiver wire. He's using his speed well and still has the hands to fill the net this year with his two talented linemates often drawing most of the oppositions attention. Keep him on your "watch list".

Blues D Erik Johnson missed all of last season after a run in with a golf cart (knee injury). He's shaking off the rust early on, but I liked what I saw in the two games against Detroit. He's using his big shot and showing plenty of confidence with the puck.The points will follow.

It's early but Toronto G Vesa Toskala looks defeated already, and to my eye will be losing the top spot in the Leafs crease before we hit the 20 game mark. Expect Jonas Gustavsson to have an adjustment period (to North America and to the NHL) but if you want the starter you better get him now.

You will read 1000 articles this year about the Caps Alexander Ovechkin and they're all deserved, but keep an eye on Nicklas Backstrom. He's tremendously consistent shift to shift, and if you're looking for the next Peter Forsberg this is the guy I'd nominate. He's going to be that good . 

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Tags: Wojtek Wolski  Paul Stastny  Milan Hejduk  Ville Leino  Jason Williams  Valtteri Filppula  Jack Johnson  Martin Brodeur  Brandon Dubinsky  Marian Gaborik  Vaclav Prospal  Alexei Kovalev  Erik Karlsson  James van Riemsdyk  Claude Giroux  John Leclair  Keith Tkachuk  Martin Hanzal  Petr Prucha  Radim Vrbata  Erik Johnson  Vesa Toskala  Jonas Gustavsson  Alexander Ovechkin  Nicklas Backstrom.