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Unfortunately, fans in New England will have to wait a bit longer to see Randy Moss‘ first game with the Patriots. Because of a hamstring injury that has hampered Moss throughout training camp, the 10th-year man is likely out for the Pats’ preseason opener in Tampa Bay this Friday.

Commentary: Over the last decade the 30-year-old Moss, whom New England acquired from Oakland for a fourth-round pick during April’s draft, has hauled in 676 receptions for 10,700 yards and 101 touchdowns, and he’s expected to be quarterback Tom Brady’s first-ever bona fide No. 1 target. In the past, the Canton-bound Brady has turned several wideouts into much better players than they really were, but he may not have to do that with Moss, who’s also probably on his way to the Hall of Fame.

Fantasy Football Impact: Fantasy owners should definitely keep an eye on Moss’ status throughout the preseason. He’s been somewhat injury-prone during his career and is coming off a weak season with the Raiders (42 catches, three touchdowns in 13 games). Despite Moss’ career credentials, using anything higher than a third-rounder on him could prove to be an error in a New England offense that loves to spread the ball around to several targets.

San Jose Costa Rica - As of this afternoon - Betting Odds - Graffiti Wall has been officially moved to it’s new home domain at: www.betting77.com

Here we will be able to better serve our Graffiti Wall Odds readers and expand the site into directions that will greatly enhance your betting information and abilities.

BETTING ODDS - GRAFFITI - PODCAST will remain here at this URL strictly for our week to week podcasts.

Thanking you the daily readers for your continued support

President CEO

Tommy Mac

Columbus, OH - The Columbus Blue Jackets announced Friday that they have signed Jakub Voracek, their first-round pick in the 2007 Entry Draft, to a three-year entry-level contract. The terms of Voracek’s deal were not disclosed.

Voracek, 18, was the seventh overall selection in the June draft following a stellar season with Halifax of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. In 59 games with the Mooseheads, the 6-foot-1, 187-pound winger scored 23 goals and tallied 63 assists, the latter a club record.

A native of Kladno, Czech Republic, Voracek began his junior hockey career with HC Kladno, where he registered 49 goals and 84 assists in less than two full seasons split between the U-18 and U-20 squads.

“Jakub is a very talented player who has the potential to be a key contributor to the Columbus Blue Jackets in the future,” said team general manager Scott Howson. “His decision to play in North America at the age of 17 demonstrated his strong desire to play in the National Hockey League and we are excited about having him under contract.”

New York, NY - The New York Rangers have agreed to terms on a contract with restricted free agent forward Sean Avery, the club announced Wednesday.

“We are pleased to have Sean under contract and are looking forward to him returning with the same passion and enthusiasm he brought to our team last year,” said Rangers general manager Glen Sather. “He is a terrific competitor, who we expect to play a significant role in a successful season.”

The Rangers acquired the 27-year old on February 5 from the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for Jason Ward and unsigned forwards Marc-Andre Cliche and Jan Marek. Avery scored 20 points (eight goals and 12 assists) in 29 games with the Rangers last season, part of his 48-point (18 goals, 30 assists) season.

Avery has tallied 50 goals and 84 assists in 322 career games in the NHL with the Rangers, Kings, and Detroit Red Wings.

Ottawa, ON - The Ottawa Senators announced Tuesday that they have re-signed 26-year old center Chris Kelly to a one-year contract.

Graffiti Wall reports that Kelly, a 6-foot, 200-pound forward, returns to Ottawa following the best season of his NHL career to date. The Toronto product completed the 2006-07 campaign with 15 goals and 23 assists in 82 regular season games. He also played in all 20 of the Senators’ playoff contests, scoring three goals and tallying four assists.

Entering his third full season, Kelly has played in 164 consecutive regular season games, as well as every Ottawa postseason game since the start of the 2005-06 season.

In 2003-04 and 2004-05, Kelly recorded 56 goals and 69 assists in 208 AHL games with the Binghamton Senators. He had previously enjoyed a short stint in the NHL when he was recalled by Ottawa in February of 2004. Kelly was originally drafted by the Senators with the 94th overall pick in the 1999 NHL Draft.

Montreal, QC - The Montreal Canadiens avoided arbitration and re-signed forward Michael Ryder to a one-year deal Sunday. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Ryder led the Canadiens with 30 goals during the 2006-07 season and added 28 assists in 82 games.

The Newfoundland native has recorded 176 points (85 goals, 91 assists) in 244 NHL regular season games since he made his debut in 2003-04.

With Ryder’s signing, the Canadiens have all of their players under contract for the 2007-08 campaign.

Raleigh, NC - The Carolina Hurricanes re-signed goaltender Michael Leighton to a one-year contract on Friday.

Graffiti Wall reports that Carolina acquired Leighton during the NHL draft on June 23 in exchange for a seventh-round draft choice. The new contract will pay Leighton $550,000 at the NHL level and $100,000 a the minor-league level.

“Michael is a big goalie who uses his size well and has gained significant experience at the NHL level in recent years,” said Hurricanes vice president and assistant general manager Jason Karmanos. “His addition strengthens our organization’s depth in goal.”

Leighton, 26, bounced around the NHL last season, spending time with the Anaheim Ducks, Nashville Predators, Philadelphia Flyers and Montreal Canadiens.

He played in five games, four with Philadelphia and one with Nashville, and posted a 2-2 record with a 3.93 goals-against average.

He has appeared in 47 games, all but five with Chicago, since coming into the league during the 2001-02 season and has a 10-23-10 record with a 3.04 GAA. The Blackhawks selected Leighton in the sixth round, 165th overall, in the 1999 draft.

Minneapolis, MN - Carolina Hurricanes center Eric Staal and his younger brother, Pittsburgh Penugins center Jordan Staal, were arrested and charged with disorderly conduct and obstructing the legal process.

A total of 14 people were arrested in Cook County, MN early Monday morning after complaints came about during the elder Staal’s bachelor party. A group was gathered at the Lutsen Resort and Sea Villas in Lutsen, MN for the party.

The Cook County Sherriff’s office said complaints came about “screaming, yelling and playing loud music,” at the party of about 20 people. According to the sherriff’s office, the group later gathered near a highway and were harrassing passing motorists, which is the time the 14 arrests came.

Eric Staal had 30 goals and 40 assists for the Hurricanes last season, while Jordan Staal had 29 goals and 13 assists in his rookie campaign with the Penguins.

Lutsen is approximately two hours from the Staal’s hometown of Thunder Bay, Ontario.

St Louis, MO - The St. Louis Blues re-signed forward Lee Stempniak to a multi-year contract on Wednesday.

The 24-year-old Stempniak had the best season of his young career last year, recording a team-high 27 goals and 25 assists, in all 82 games for the Blues.

“Lee has been a terrific player since breaking in with the Blues two seasons ago and we are excited to watch him grow wearing the Bluenote,” said St. Louis president John Davidson. “He’s a young player with tremendous skills and he will continue to be a valued asset for our hockey club as we move forward.”

In 139 career NHL games, the West Seneca, New York native has totaled 41 goals, 38 assists and 55 penalty minutes with the Blues.

“I’m appreciative of the Blues ownership and thrilled that they have made a long term commitment to me,” said Stempniak. “I enjoyed playing last season under Andy Murray and I’m happy to continue my career with the team. St. Louis is an outstanding sports town and it’s been great to play in front of our great fans.”

Arlington, VA - The Washington Capitals re-signed center Brooks Laich to a contract Wednesday, the terms of which remain undisclosed.

Laich, 24, played in 73 games for Washington last season, recording eight goals and 10 assists. He tied for second on the team and 10th in the NHL with three shorthanded goals.

The 6-foot-2, 208-pound Wawota, Saskatchewan native was Ottawa’s sixth-round choice (193rd overall) in the 2001 Entry Draft. He was acquired by Washington on February 18, 2004.