Games We've Got Circled On The Schedule

He's definitely crying when he returns to Calgary.

The NHL season is full of must watch games, but we've got it narrowed down to 10. From player returns to specialty games, this season is chalk full of them after a 48-game season in 2013. Sure every Penguins/Capitals or Hawks/Canucks game are worth seeing, but there's some intriguing storylines this season that we want to see unfold. How hard will players deemed traitors get booed? How many tears will returning heroes shed? How will the ice hold up in a certain warm city that is hosting an outdoor game? So many questions and we want answers.

What The Tuck?

Every year there seems to be some tinkering with the NHL rules to change the game we love. Pucks over the glass now decide tight hockey games and make our beloved hockey players look like pathetic babies as they raise their arms for a penalty to be called. Trapezoids in the corners now prevent goalies from showcasing any puck handling skills they might have and decreasing the likelihood of goalie/player collisions in the corners. Well, it's a new season so there's another stupid rule the NHL has implemented.

Fantasy Sleepers: Late Round D-Men

We're expecting a lot of fistpumps from Faulk this year.

Fantasy hockey season is underway with drafts galore happening so we're looking at some fantasy sleepers that will help you win $20 from your friends this year. Last time we looked at some young guns who could score 20+ goals for you, but now we're going to look at some defencemen that could help you late in your draft. These aren't the flashy new draft picks from the last two drafts or the obvious studs. These are the guys that might have had down years or are just breaking through on their career, but either way they are going to help you win your hockey pool.

Wax Stain Rookie: John MacLean

Wax Stain Wednesday will be a regular feature on Dirty Dangle. Our pal Dave at Wax Stain Rookie is an avid autograph and card collector and has some cool experiences to share with us. Warning: these posts may make you want to buy a Beckett and get those dusty hockey cards out from under your bed that you hide from your girlfriend like a secret porn collection.

Who is your favourite player? Do they play on your favourite team or do you cheer for a player who isn’t on your club but you wish they were? Growing up a Devils fan, I didn't have many superstars on my club until the early 90’s when Scott Stevens and Martin Brodeur starting calling the Meadowlands home. Scott Stevens was a Devils thanks to an arbitrator and the signing of Brendan Shanahan by St. Louis. Brodeur of course was a Devils draft pick in 1990 and he didn't really play any significant amounts until 1993 when he started as Chris Terreri’s backup before guiding the Devils to the Conference Finals against the Rangers and winning the Calder Trophy.

Fantasy Sleepers: 20+ Goals In Late Rounds

With fantasy hockey drafts in full swing it's time to start looking at the sleepers that could be the difference maker for your fantasy squad this year. We're going to take a look at some of the younger players that could help you out near the end of the draft and who we predict will put up 20+ goals this upcoming season. These guys have had their fantasy value boosted from trades, roster shake ups or from just becoming the player everyone thought they could be.

Kipper Calls It A Career

After taking the summer to ponder his career, Miikka Kiprusoff has decided to call it a career and not go back to Calgary to get shelled every night. In 623 career regular season games with the Flames and San Jose Sharks, Kiprusoff sported a 319-213-71 record with a 2.49 GAA, .912 save percentage and 44 shutouts. Not too shabby.

Hockey Season Is Here

Hockey season is upon us and it's time to get excited. There are many unofficial starts to the NHL season including ice being put in, NHL stars doing silly promos such as ringing the NYSE bell, and getting to see players debut in their new uniforms at a shinny skate. But with rookie camps wrapping up and team training camps starting this week it's only the beginning of the big countdown to October 1st when the puck officially drops. It's been a long summer, but finally hockey season is here.