There's precious little to cheer about in Jackets-land this season, but here goes:
Brian Boyle has made a good impression so far in his first taste of the NHL, posting 4 goals and 1 assist for 5 points in 8 games, to go with 4 pim and an impressive +4. Brian's been playing as a center so far, but has just agreed to an entry-level deal with Columbus in the HFNHL, initially as a defenceman (he's played both positions as a pro this year). At 6-6/248 (his official stats list him at 222, but he's been quoted as heavier in recent interviews), he's a tough young man to play against. He has the makings of a third-line power-pivot in the Primeau/Otto mould with upside, if he can increase his intensity.
John Curry with the WBS Penguins is 3rd in the AHL in goals against with a pleasing 2.16m to go with a .911 save % -- not bad for his first pro season.
Wisconsin Badger blueliners Ryan McDonagh and Brendan Smith have each put up 12 points in their freshman season, while Badgers' sophomore checker Blake Geoffrion has 25 points in 28 games. Freshman power-winger Max Pacioretty has done Geoffrion one better, managing 27-in-27 for Michigan.
Undrafted winger Ryan Hayes has left Boston College to join Plymouth of the OHL, where he has 12 points in 12 games.
In less happy news, Nate Davis, Logan MacMillan, Robin Figren and Max Gratchev have all had to deal with significant injuries this season, top goalie Leland Irving has been very average, and other Mountain Due hopefuls have fallen off the mark as well. Most annoyingly, Nikolai Kulemin - who had 27 goals and 39 points in the RSL last season (when I *didn't* have a Mountian Due endorsement) - fell back slightly this season, putting up 19 goals and 28 points, two shy of the endorsement payout. With the way this season has gone, I was counting on Kulemin's payout to refund my $1 million investment - now it looks like I can kiss that cash goodbye. Here's to hoping St. Louis can score 40 for me in the HFNHL, otherwise this endorsement season is a complete bust!
I haven't tracked down stats yet on how Euro goaltenders Tuomas Tarkki and Reto Berra are doing in their respective leagues. Tarkki led the SM-Liiga last season in virtually every stat, while Berra is just getting his feet wet as a backup with Davos in Swiss-A. If anyone has up-to-date stats (or scouting reports) on these two, I'd appreciate it!
*EDIT* - Found Tarkki's stats... first in the SM-Liiga with a 93.7 save%, and second in gaa with 2.01, just behind Bernd Bruckler's 1.97.