Stargazing: Could Zubov play in KHL?
Stargazing is a daily assortment of Dallas Stars news, as well as a look at what's happening around the Pacific division and the rest of the NHL. Stargazing will run on Mondays and Thursdays, becoming a daily feature once the preseason begins.
The off-season doldrums are upon us, and the Dallas Stars related news items will dwindle in the days to come, but we hope you'll check in with us to get your Stars fix as we creep toward a new season. In the mean time, are the Rangers really in pursuit of Brad Richards? Could Zubov play in the KHL next year? The Stars released their pre-season schedule, and the regular season schedule is expected to follow some time this week.
Stars News and Notes:
Andrew's Stars page discusses Zubov's possible future playing in Russia, via a Russian news paper:
"Of course I can imagine playing in the KHL, but I have not received any offers from there yet. The most important thing for me is to show that I can still play hockey and that I do it in a good team, then where I play itself does not matter if I am playing for the Stanley Cup or Gagarin Cup."
Mike Heika discusses what could be taking so long with Zubov:
The way I read it is this: The Stars would like to talk to him in a month or so when they can get a better idea of how healthy he is.
Zubov had major hip surgery last season and had sports hernia surgery the year before that, and as far as I can tell, he still hasn't proved to the Stars that he's ready to go. Doctors believe he will be ready to go, but it still is a risk to sign him at this point (and I would think the Stars understand his medical situation better than anyone).
What about you? Do you believe Zubov could play a whole season? Or will he join a team in December or January like we've seen other veterans do in recent years?
Meanwhile, the Rangers and their fans have been screaming for a strong number one center in New York. The Bleacher report asks if Richards would be a good fit for them:
All Rangers fans have been discussing is a need to pick up a No. 1 center, or at least one high profile player...but not at the price of a Brandon Dubinsky, Ryan Callahan, or Marc Staal. Nieuwendyk would almost certainly want one...maybe two of those.
And The Morning News blog agrees, citing many reasons why such a trade would be unlikely:
So this deal doesn't make sense...unless....
Unless the Rangers decide to send Redden to the minors and pay him his $6.5 million for not playing for them. If that was the case, and the Stars could get some key prospects at low cost back, then it might make financial sense to trade Richards.
While the Rangers might not get Richards away from the Stars, you have to wonder if Hicks' situation will dictate his departure from Dallas sooner rather than later.
A Senator fan at MVN.com tells you why you should feel good about the backup situation in goal next year:
Dallas is getting a top-end backup goalie. No question about it. Auld went 16-18-1 with a .911 save percentage and a 2.48 GAA. You really need to look past the win-loss record with Auld considering the Sens couldn't put two goals together until the final 20-games.
So while Auld doesn't solve any long term problems in net for the Stars, there are those around the league who feel he's a more than capable backup; Certainly an improvement over last season.
Around the Pacific:
- Is there a Chris Pronger curse? Battle of California thinks so.
- Meanwhile in Phoenix, Wayne Gretzky's income tax statements are getting dragged into the courts.
- Examiner.com: Notes for the Kings developmental camp that took place over the weekend
- Fear the Fin takes a look at the tight cap situation in San Jose
Around the NHL:
- TSN: Winter Classic expected to be announced for Fenway on Wednesday
- Jiri Hudler is still trying to get away from Detroit (and we wish him luck)
- Penguins sign Jay Mckee, trying to fill the hole left by Scuderi and Gill.
- And the Sporting News questions the Gaborik deal with the Rangers
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Comments
One thing to remember about this Brad Richards talk...
Is it’s just that: Talk.
A New York Rangers blog raised the question late last week, and several other sites picked up the meme and all of a sudden, there’s “rumors” that the Rangers are interested in Richards. There has been no news whatsoever that the Rangers are actively seeking a trade, and it’s doubtful they would be willing to give up what it would take to make the trade.
While I agree that the financial situation of the Stars makes it difficult to hang on to Richards’ contract, the fact remains that he is a vital piece of a team that believes it can be successful, now. The Stars aren’t going to trade Richards, who is in his prime as a player, just to dump salary. Yeah the budget is low, but the Stars are far from a team up against the cap, and the franchise still generates a ton of revenue. They even turn a profit year to year.
Defending Big D: A Dallas Stars blog on SBN: easy to use, free to join.
by Brandon Worley on Jul 13, 2009 9:09 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I would be most upset if Richards were to leave, and I didn’t mean to imply something was in the works…just looking at the discussion.
The forward group is the only real strength of this club, to get rid of Richards would ruin that. We saw his effect on the PP and the ripples down the lineup last year, of course the team was already injured but still.
And without that puck moving D-man we all wanted, I suspect he’ll see time at the point on the PP as well.
by Brad G on Jul 13, 2009 9:17 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs























