from Larry Brooks of the New York Post,

* The question isn’t whether perpetual bubble team Dallas will make rentals Jaromir Jagr (who leads the team in scoring), Brenden Morrow, Derek Roy and Eric Nystrom available, the question is whether the Stars will begin a meaningful overhaul by dangling Loui Eriksson?

Because if they do, the Rangers would be mighty interested.

* So does this Islanders’ slide turn general manager Garth Snow into a seller, or will the club stay the course with prospective free agents Mark Streit, Lubomir Visnovskyand Brad Boyes?

* Finally, this is not a commentary on the people on air as much as the policy guiding them, but the NHL Network would be a far more compelling watch if it didn’t act as an arm of the NHL PR office.

A few hours watching the MLB Network should be enough to teach the NHL people what they — and the audience — need to know.

read on for protecting the players talk...