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