Olympic Champs too Hot to Pass on!

Look for the leaders of the Gold medal winners to comeback stronger than ever. No matter who comes away with gold, they will be playing for their respective NHL team with more confidence than they've ever had before. Sure, more games means more fatigue, but don't expect to see that. In fact, the opposite will be true.

The Olympics can be even more important to the players representing their respective countries. Remember, Mario Lemieux had a chance to play in the Canada Cup with Gretzky and other greats? Lemieux dominated the tournament and came back to the NHL with a confirmed belief that he was the best player in the world.

Shortly after, Mario scored nearly 200 points in a season and captured back to back Stanley Cups for the Pittsburgh Penguins. If Canada gets gold, Crosby will come back with the same fire.

The Russians? While gold isn't likely, if the Russians are able to pull it off Ovechkin and Malkin will be the two reasons why they do so. If this happens it will be hard denying Ovechkin his shot at the Stanley Cup and another scoring title.

Can Gaborik Remain Healthy?

Marian Gaborik was a wild card coming into this season for fantasy owners. The Rangers have a rich history of signing high profile free agents who don’t produce on the ice.

So far, Gaborik is answering the bell for Ranger fans and fantasy owners. We are only seven games into the season, but there is reason to be excited about Gaborik’s play.

Here are the numbers: 7 games, 4 goals, 6 assists, +/- 7

Gaborik’s health seems to be the obstacle he’ll face. There isn’t much in his past that suggests he will in 76 plus games in a season. Since the 2003 – 2004 season, Gaborik has only once suited up for more than 65 games in a season.

The season, in which he did play in 77 games, he also earned a career high in goals (42), assists (41), and points (83).