By Ray Flowers
August 3, 2009 5:43pm CDT

BABCHUK TO BE MOVED
What does 16 goals and 35 points from the blue line get you in Carolina? Apparently it gets you your walking papers. "The decision has been made on Anton Babchuk - he's going to be moved," GM Jim Rutherford said. "We now have our top six defensemen." The restricted free agent turned down the team's offer of 1-year for $1 million, and the club will pursue a way to move him for draft picks. Babchuk burst on the fantasy scene last season with those 16 goals, more than all but seven other blue liners, but clearly the team wasn't convinced that he would be able to repeat that number this season. Keep an eye on where he ends up, he could be a nice sleeper on draft day if he lands in the right spot.


HEATLEY HEADED WEST?
The Oilers deal for Dany Heatley appears dead, but the San Jose Sharks continue to be mentioned as a potential trading partner with the Senators for the services of the sniper. Things are being complicated by the salary cap and it appears that the two clubs may need to get a third team in the mix to help facilitate the move of some salaries. If the Sharks can work out a deal for the winger, Heatley would likely skate on a line with Joe Thornton, and words like "boo-yah" and "Yahtzee" would likely be applicable. With Thornton setting up his friend and fellow countryman, would anyone be at all surprised to see Heatley better his average goal scoring total of the past four years - 45?


HUDLER HEADED TO RUSSIA
Here is what we know about Jiri Hudler.

1- Hudler wants to play in Russia in the KHL.

2- Hudler has signed a 2-year deal for $10 million to play in Russia.

3- Hudler was awarded a 2-year deal for $5.75 million by an arbitrator on Monday.

4- Hudler will be heading to Russia for the 2009-10 season.

If Hudler doesn't enjoy his time oversees he will be able to resume his NHL career with the Red Wings under the terms of the deal that he was given by the arbitrator. "My hope is that he goes to Russia and he wants to come back and he's a better player," GM Ken Holland said. "The cap maybe goes up a little bit and we're sitting at a real good situation."

Look for Ville Leino to be given a long look as a potential replacement amongst the forward ranks.

In other Detroit news, Nicklas Lidstrom refuted reports that he would end his professional career anywhere other than Detroit. He also said that the elbow injury that bothered him last season continues to linger but that he doesn't believe it will be an issue once that games count this season.


SMITH BACK TO SKATING
Mike Smith, working his way back from concussion issues, returned to the ice last week for the first time since January 30th. "Smitty skated this week and did as well as expected being off the ice for six months," Lightning trainer Tommy Mulligan said. "He will continue to progress for the rest of the summer, and we will continue to closely monitor him. Overall, a good first week back on the ice." The club is hopeful that Smith will be healthy enough to appear in about 55-60 contests this season as he will be backed up by Antero Niittymaki who continues to deal with injury concerns of his own (his hips). Smith, acquired from the Stars during the 2007-08 season, has appeared in 53 games during his Bolts career with a 17-18-9 record and a .911 save percentage. If he could coax a few more wins behind the ever changing club, Smith would likely make a fine second goalie in the upcoming season - if he can stay healthy.


STARS TO LOSE TWO
The Stars will be without two familiar faces when the puck drops on opening night.

Sergei Zubov, who played 12 years in Dallas, has signed a deal with SKA St. Petersberg of the KHL, likely signaling the end to his NHL career. "I don't think he'll be remembered for last season, he'll be remembered for his career," Stars center Mike Modano said. "He's one of the best players I've ever played with." Zubov leaves the Stars as the organizations top scoring blue liner ever with 549 points in 839 games. The club will likely ask Stephane Robidas, Trevor Daly and Matt Niskanen to be even more active on the offensive side of the puck.

The second player heading out of the country is backup netminder Tobias Stephan who signed with Geneva Servette of the Swiss Hockey League. With the club looking to limit starter Marty Turco to somewhere around 55-60 starts this season, the organziation could have certainly used the steady hand of Stephan in net. Alex Auld appears to have the backup position locked up. "It makes a difference that you really know what you're getting with Alex," GM Joe Nieuwendyk said. "We know what he's capable of."


ZHERDEV ON THE MOVE?
The Rangers continue to explore trading the talented but enigmatic winger Nikolai Zherdev. The Rangers do not want to pay him the $3.9 million he was awarded in arbitration and might even release him rather than be on the hook for the awarded amount if they cannot move before they must accept the ruling on Tuesday afternoon. Doesn't seem like they have a very strong negotiating position with other teams. Someone will take a shot at Zherdev, he has scored 23 or more goals in three of the past four seasons, but if he doesn't want to become the next NHL goal scoring journeyman it would behoove him to pay a little more attention on the defensive side of the puck.