Training-camp cuts are a necessity, but that doesn't make it any easier for the players involved. Just ask the New Jersey Devils' Patrik Elias who was favored to crack the Devil's 1996 lineup straight out of training-camp.

Something to discuss at the Water Cooler -- what will the Penguins do without top defenseman Sergei Gonchar? Also up for debate is the fortune of other teams and players as the start to the regular season creeps ever closer.

Get fired up for the new season with the NHL's newest promo campaign. So many stories. So many questions. Is this the year for your favorite player or team? Will it all end in with a Cup? Watch promo

Metallurg Magnitogorsk is planning on giving the Rangers all they can handle in Wednesday night's Victoria Cup matchup. But the Rangers are ready. "It’ll be an intense game and both teams will be fighting to win," says Brandon Dubinsky.

After suffering a broken nose on Sept. 24, Detroit Red Wings defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom could possibly return to the lineup Wednesday night against the Atlanta Thrashers.

The Vancouver Canucks have named 29-year-old starting goaltender Roberto Luongo as the team's new captain for the 2008-09 season.

Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Sergei Gonchar is expected to miss 4-6 months after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his left shoulder Thursday for ligament damage suffered during his first shift of the Pens’ first pre-season game.

Washington center Michael Nylander missed over half the season with a shoulder injury during 2007-08. Healthy again, Nylander is ready to prove his game is up to speed.

Defenseman Luke Schenn, the fifth pick in June’s draft and known for his defensive prowess, showed off his offensive ability Monday with the decisive shootout goal in Toronto’s 4-3 preseason win over St. Louis.

After playing in the 2008 Winter Classic and reaching the Stanley Cup Final, the Pittsburgh Penguins are a marquee team now playing in Bridgestone NHL Premiere 2008. Fedotenko's up to Crosby challenge | Sid enjoying anonymity

Lauri Korpikoski, Corey Potter and Brian Fahey are in Europe competing for the Rangers' final roster spots. "It's weird to call it an exhibition game," Korpikoski said. "It's more of an elimination game for me."

The Columbus Blue Jackets hope knee surgery didn't dull the skill and abrasiveness they liked in Raffi Torres. The forward's Blue Jackets debut is one of the things we can talk about at the Water Cooler.

After bouncing around the minors, Michael Leighton finally has a chance to be a full-time NHL goaltender. Also Sunday, a Bourque returned to Boston and the Isles and Sharks adjusted to new coaches. Let's meet at the Water Cooler.

The Hockey Show lets fans relive the Hockeyville experience one more time. Also, the Anaheim Ducks are doing their part to build the next generation of Southern California hockey stars.

The 2009 NHL All-Star Game commemorates the 100th anniversary of the Canadiens franchise in the city of the first North American hockey all-star game. It will be the first All-Star Game played in Canada since it was held in Toronto in 2000.

The Rangers' first practice in Switzerland served a few purposes: to get the juices flowing and avoid jet-lag, and to focus on a team already shorn down to 26 players and they prepare to open the NHL season abroad. Notes from Bern

After an overnight international flight, the Penguins landed in Stockholm, though they were quickly reminded that they came to Sweden on business and sight-seeing would have to wait until after practice. Roarke Blog

While a preseason game in a foreign country might seem like a novel idea, Rod Gilbert remembers a time when the practice was commonplace, and he spent 25 games worth travelling across Canada.

The hardest thing for a professional athlete to know is when to walk away. The Ducks' Scott Niedermayer and Teemu Selanne dealt with it last year, and Mats Sundin is going through it now.

Who better to get the down low on Sweden from, than a native Swede himself? Johnny Oduya gives the skinny on visiting Stockholm for Bridgestone NHL Premiere 2008.  Bridgestone NHL Premiere 2008 Schedule of Events