Some Bookeeping and Some Ideas

-- Buzzing the Net's Dynamic Dozen list of junior teams, always worth a peek each week, is out, and the Spokane Chiefs of the Western Hockey League occupies the top spot.

Yes, I wish a similar USHL column was in circulation. Perhaps there is. I will continue to look.

-- Hockey's Future has published it's NCAA Prospects notebook covering the month of October. Again, anything that focuses on prospects is worth studying.

Frankly, I find this more interesting than the competition focused blogs and articles on junior and college hockey. We all have varying interests regarding favorite junior and college teams, hated junior and college teams, etc., but those columns and blogs can distract you if your main objective is finding out who will work (player, coach, GM, talent evaluator) in the NHL.

Yes, I am partial to Denver University, Michigan State, Seattle Thunderbirds, Plymouth Whalers, Drummondville Voltigeurs and Muskegon Lumberjacks, but these are just side notes to the bigger picture, which is the NHL.

-- Note to John Tortorella: Joe Thornton was a member of Team Canada, which WON the gold medal in Vancouver. So by your standards, this does give San Jose's Jumbo Joe some room to talk.

-- Note to Jumbo Joe: It would be better if your Sharks beat the Rangers before you called them soft. They may be, and the Blueshirts' efforts against the Jets and Senators would seem to lead one to that conclusion. Still win, and then you can use it as your soapbox. Otherwise, check the scoreboard.

-- In early October, Coming Down the Pipe took a look at Charles Hudon, a forward with the Chicoutimi Sagueneens of the QMJHL. He's draft eligible in 2012 and he has 8 goals and 20 points in 17 games. Coming Down the Pipe says that by spring, "general hockey fans will not only recognize the name Chalres Hudon but they'll be wanting their favourite NHL team to be calling it out in June."

Keep track this season and see if you agree.

-- The Hockey News has offered as ones to watch three 2012 draft eligibles: Raphaël Bussières, left wing with Baie-Comeau of the QMJHL; Pontus Aberg, left wing with Djurgarden of the Elitserien; and Matt Murray, goaltender with Sault Ste. Marie of the OHL.

In the video at the top, that's Aberg (46) scoring at the start of the third-period highlights of the Djurgarden's game with HV 71. Djurgarden, which now has Ottawa's Mika Zibanejad back in the fold, is in the understated, ha, white sweaters. A Marcus Nilson sighting? Hey, Mr. Nilson, welcome back to the Lounge. Now, about your tab....