The Stars have traded James Neal and Matt Niskanen to the Penguins for Alex Goligoski.

Great move by the Penguins who really needed to get some size and skill up front and Dallas also quite slyly moved Niskanen in this deal...a very serviceable player, but whose cap hit was hurting the Stars ability to make moves right now. I expect the Stars to now be in on Hemsky in a HUGE way...

In fact I already have a Hemsky to Dallas rumor I would classify as a strong (e3).

When Alex Semin signed his most recent contract extending him for another year at $6million most I know told me this would end the rumors. And when covering all 30 teams it's often a a necessity to narrow as much as possible...

However, this afternoon, with a week to go I am hearing Semin's name everywhere...most prominently in Buffalo.

Everyone involved was quick to keep it under wraps this past weekend, but today I am hearing, on the record, the Sabres, who are about to officially be taken over by new aggressive ownership, may be throwing their hat into three rings...Semin, Richards and Hemsky.

more to come

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