from Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal,

- One Western pro scout after several viewings of Dallas Stars rookie Valeri Nichuskhin, the 10th overall pick in June’s NHL entry draft: “He can skate through the entire team.”

- Is there going to be room for Sheldon Souray next month when he returns to the crowded Anaheim Ducks defence after wrist surgery? Whose spot does he take? Ben Lovejoy and Cam Fowler, an odd mix, have become their shutdown pair. They love rookie Hampus Lindholm, are getting good offensive work from Sami Vatanen, and have Francois Beauchemin and Bryan Allen as a heavy defence tag-team. Luca Sbisa (wrist tendon) will return in a few weeks, too.

- The New Jersey Devils were stung when their best forward Ilya Kovalchuk bolted for St. Petersburg in the KHL but signed Jaromir Jagr to be a Plan B replacement. So guess what? Jagr has 33 NHL points and Kovalchuk has 33 KHL points, and both have 13 goals. Jagr turns 42 on Feb. 15.

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