Brendan Shanahan won three Stanley Cups with the Detroit Red Wings. Brendan Shanahan won three Stanley Cups with the Detroit Red Wings. (Ryan Remiorz/Canadian Press)

HNIC's senior online reporter Tim Wharnsby dishes out the latest news, buzz and inside information from the hockey world.

1. Don't forget Shanny's off-ice impact

The newly retired Brendan Shanahan will no doubt be a first-ballot member of the Hockey Hall of Fame, but his role in the 2004-05 lockout was first-rate too and should not be forgotten.

In so many ways, the speedy, exciting and intense NHL game we view on a nightly basis was borne from the Shanahan Summit, a two-day conference in December 2004 that brought together current and former players, managers, coaches and broadcasters to discuss ways to improve a game that had become humdrum.

The group emerged with 10 recommendations and most of the proposals were adopted, such as creating a competition committee, reducing obstruction, implementing shootouts, streamlining goalie equipment and putting in delay-of-game penalty for players who shoot the puck over the glass in their own end.

Shanahan also played a key role in bringing the NHL and NHLPA together to strike a new collective bargaining agreement.

Frustrated by the lack of progress between the two sides, Shanahan decided to get involved even though he wasn't on the NHLPA's executive committee.

2. Staying home

Markus Naslund needs time to work himself back into shape, but Peter Forsberg was in form in his first game with Modo since announcing that he would stay at home and play in Sweden rather than pursue a job in the NHL.

He checked in with three assists in Modo's 5-1 victory against Brynas IF on Tuesday.

The 36-year-old Forsberg, who played three matches at the beginning of the season, now has three goals and four assists in four games for last-place Modo in the Swedish Elitserien standings.

But the win for Forsberg's team pushed it to within seven points of the last playoff spot, held by Brynas.

3. Extra time warriors

The Montreal Canadiens appear to be a team built for 4-on-4 overtime sessions and shootouts.

When they defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 3-2 in a shootout at home on Tuesday, the Canadiens improved their record to 8-0 in either a shootout or overtime game this season.

They have only two victories in regulation time, but four apiece in overtime and in shootouts.

4. Stacked Spitfires

NHL Central Scouting released its preliminary North American rankings on Tuesday. Plymouth Whalers' 17-year-old centre, Tyler Seguin, grabbed the top spot, followed by Windsor Spitfire teammates Taylor Hall and Cam Fowler.

That Seguin was ranked ahead of Hall was a bit of a surprise because the 18-year-old Hall has 21 goals in 25 games and leads the OHL with 45 points, compared to Seguin's 19 goals and 36 points.

Fowler leads all defencemen with three goals and 29 points in 25 games. If the NHL season ended today and held the weighted draft lottery, the favourites to land the top three picks would be Carolina, Boston (Toronto's pick) and Anaheim.

5. Crossing the Ambassador Bridge

Hall, Fowler and the Memorial Cup-champion Spitfires practised at Joe Louis Arena on Tuesday and then watched the Red Wings go through the paces.

Between practices, Detroit head coach Mike Babcock and general manager Ken Holland addressed the Spitfires, who are back atop the OHL this season with a 19-3-3 record.

Afterwards, the two teams had lunch together, giving the younger Spitfires an opportunity to pepper their favourite Red Wings with questions.