More details regarding the talks between the Sabres and the Stars today and I was just told the Sabres asking price from Dallas is Nichushkin. The Stars are NOT into this idea at this point, but you really have to wonder about this one.

I know many will say immediately that Myers is NOT worth Nichushkin. And when you are looking at the players right now I too would say that. But remember Myers is a giant of a D-man who can skate and move the puck.

Myers is 24 years old. When Zdeno Chara was 24 the Islanders gave up on him he moved to Ottawa for his first season where he put up 23 points in 75 games. Chara was a -27 his last season on the Island...and +30 his first season in Ottawa. In Ottawa for 4 seasons his point totals increased year after year and STILL at the age of 29 the Senators opted to let him walk as a UFA and instead put their money into Wade Redden.

The point of this is we have no idea who Tyler Myers is. He has played on a subpar team and has been struggling ever since winning the rookie of the year. He has size, skill and speed, and as any scout will tell you, "The bigger the defenseman the longer it takes for him to develop." But it really could be worth the wait.

In Nichushkin you have a player that many of you know I really REALLY like. I see an infinite future of possibilities in this kid, and was really surprised the Russians played him only a few minutes in the last Olympics.

He has Malkin-esque skills and when he drives the net is virtually unstoppable. But he also wasn't sure he even was coming to North America a few years back and who is to say that he will have the patience to make a career here. He wouldn't be the first Russian player with his sort of credentials to shine for a very short time in the NHL.

I don't anticipate that he will be a bust, but when you are weighing the risk reward of Myers vs. Nichushkin it may be a push.

And then when you look at what the Stars are doing...they are in a period where they have a Cup contending offense...even without Nick...but they have a "non-playoff team" defense right now. When you want your team's window to open you want it to open on both sides of the ice.

On the Penguins...
Maatta having surgery to remove mass on Maatta's neck...believed to be cancer. More when available.