to start thinking about the trade deadline and where exactly this team is heading. Things are not looking great right now, with the Stars sitting about 5 points out of a playoff spot just over half of the way in. The West is incredibly tight as we all know, so by this time next week they could well be sitting in the no. 8 spot or damned close to it. Or, they could be tied for 14th. Hard to say. The trading deadline is March 4th, or just about 6 weeks away.

There are two scenarios heading into deadline day. Scenario A) has the Stars right in the thick of things and looking to maybe add a piece to give them an extra push for the final playoff push. Scenario B) has the team on the outside looking in, several points out of 8th place and fading fast.

The question is, which scenario is more likely? If it's A), what kind of player would you realistically like the Stars to go out and get, and at what cost? And If B), who do you see the team possibly unloading? Again, let's be real here.... if they end up trading people away, it won't be Modano(obvious reasons) and it won't be Turco (horrible contract). But could a Richards or Ribeiro be dealt? Robidas? A young defenseman? Dare I say Jere Lehtinen Himself?

Clearly Tippett and Co. don't trust poor Tobias Stephan, and obviously Turco has been the team's biggest weakness this season.

Sanford is out there on waivers, ripe for the picking. He's a solid veteran backup that might be able to gain some trust and carry them through a few games next time Turco forgets where he placed his confidence.

I say go get him... agreed?

need a few more words to meet the minimum.... Red Wings suck. There we go.

Stars co-GM Les Jackson confirmed tonight that defenseman Sergei Zubov will have surgery on his hip in early January and will miss the remainder of the season.

Stars fans have somewhat expected this... there has been a lot of talk about Zubov possibly retiring if this surgery had to happen. Apparently, however, Zubov told Jackson and Hull that he intends on playing again. He will be an UFA at the end of the season.

Another blow for the Stars this year. Ott, Lundqvist and Robidas all returned to action tonight, and it appears that Lehtinen and newly acquired Brian Sutherby are close, but this news certainly stings.

http://starsblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2008/12/zubov-out-for-season.html

by the way, Stars goalie Marty Turco gave up 5 goals on 28 shots tonight in their game against Columbus, but Dallas managed to pull out a 6-5 shootout victory thanks in part to Loui Eriksson's hat trick. Eriksson is now tied for 6th in the NHL in goal scoring with 17.

Going out to Lone Star Park tonight... you usually seem to have a pretty good hold on things. Need any and all info before putting down my bet on the Derby.

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http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=AjMmNNl6QFLLG1g3g1KPw3ERvLYF?slug=ti-rangers032108&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

Nothing new to anybody around here really. Just weird to see a Rangers article on a national site. He does suggest the Rangers take a look at newly released John Patterson, though. And I also never knew Daniels had a knuckler...

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=Av3hisKTtezv0OwRTQkKOZc5nYcB?slug=ap-nlmvp&prov=ap&typ e=lgns

just barely over Matt Holliday. think i would have gone with Holliday myself... here come the cries of an east coast bias.

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http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/hockey/stars/stories/111507dnspocogen.1125cde.html

Rangers' president Jeff Cogen will now hold the same position with the Dallas Stars. Hicks says he will begin the search for a new team president for the local ball club.

can't say I'm surprised about Lites stepping down... he and Armstrong are apparently pretty tight. Lites has had some lame brained moments PR wise of late. Not sure how excited most Stars fans will be that the president of the super-successful Rangers will now be in the hockey team's front office....

interesting... Maybin has only had something like 6 games played in AA ball, now he's making his debut in Yankee stadium tonight. too bad about local boy Monroe. i think he's the type of guy the Rangers might have picked up just for the hell of it a few months ago, but probably no way now. he had a pretty decent year last year but has fizzled this season and is already 30 years old.

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=AsGW_2GTxay7wd1qmZ2krMmFCLcF?slug=ap-tigers-boldmoves&prov =ap&type=lgns

Randy Galloway is reporting on his radio show that the Ballpark will no longer be named "Ameriquest Field".

It will now be known as "Rangers Ballpark in Arlington"... not really sure why they don't just go back to "The Ballpark in Arlington".

Sorry I don't have another source on this. Tom Hicks will be on Galloway at 3:20.