Sabres not mad about Max, a Stars fix and more reader mail

Buffalo's Maxim Afinogenov has a world of speed and a maddening knack for making little of it. Bill Wippert/NHLvia Getty Images Allan Muir's Mailbag Submit a comment or question for Allan. Name: Email: Hometown: Question: SEND

Once again, it's time to haul out the overstuffed mailbag and address some of your more salient questions and missives.

There's been lots of talk locally about [the Sabres] moving Maxim Afinogenov. I would hate to see him go because I think he's just scratched the surface of his talent and could break out any time. I'd hate to see it happen with another team! What sort of return could they get for him? Would the Rangers be interested?
-- Leslie Marcum, Rochester, NY

C'mon, Leslie. At 29, Afinogenov has done all the scratching he's going to do. The Sabres seem to realize that what they see is what they get -- a player with great wheels and remarkable puck skill, but without the jam to translate them consistently onto the scoreboard. He'll tease you with a burst of creativity then rip out your heart with a series of brain-dead turnovers. European leagues are filled with guys like that, proof that it takes more than talent to be a solid pro.

Problem is, every other team has figured out that there's more sizzle than steak to Afinogenov's game. They see a guy who has a career high of 23 goals and has put up at least 50 points just twice in his eight seasons. And $3.5 million may not buy much these days, but it should get you more than four goals, which is the furious pace Max has set for this season.

Remember: this is his contract year. If this is the best he can come up with when his financial future is on the line, what's Afinogenov going to produce when he's comfortable? All that said, you have to think there's some team out there that will regard Max like some brooding, misunderstood boy from the wrong side of the tracks who just needs someone to believe in him. It won't be the Rangers -- they aren't going to clear cap space for a distraction like this -- but it's possible that some offensively-challenged squad like the Panthers, Islanders or Hurricanes might dream of seeing what he could do with a fresh coat of paint.

If the Sabres do find a sucker, they might be looking at a mid-round draft pick in return. Whatever curb appeal Afinogenov still possesses is pretty much obliterated by that cap hit

I see that Vancouver has recalled Cory Schneider from the minors. He's really impressed in the AHL this year, but with Luongo there long term it seems like he's trade bait. Any chance of him being available? Philly sure needs a good young goalie!
-- Rick, Cherry Hill, NJ

You're right about the Flyers needing a solid pro prospect in their system --neither Jakub Kovar or Jacob Deserres look to be anything more than potential backups, and they're still years away from that level. That said, I'm not sure Schneider's the answer for Philly or anyone else . . . at least, not yet.

Roberto Luongo certainly looks like the long-term solution in Vancouver, but he's eligible for unrestricted free agency at the end of the 2009-10 season. He may be perfectly happy to let the Canucks max him out. Luongo deserves that honor as much as anyone, and the Canucks won't lose him over money. But until he scribbles his signature on that extension, Vancouver can't afford to leave themselves exposed at the position. Schneider's more valuable to the organization as an ace in the hole than as trade bait, where he'd probably generate a mid-to-low first rounder in return.

Of course, he could up his eventual value over the next few days. With Luongo shelved for the next few weeks, the 2004 first-rounder is about to get his first shot at NHL action. Curtis Sanford looked pretty average in a Thursday night loss to the Flames, so Schneider will get his chance to start soon. When he does, you can bet several teams with a need for young NHL-ready goaltending (Ottawa and New Jersey come to mind) will be watching.

I'm a Stars fan, so I wasn't surprised to see them at the bottom of the Power Rankings this week. What do you think they really need to do to get out of this mess? A major shakeup in coach or team? What should be their next move?
-- Peter Dunbar, Belfast, Northern Ireland

The Stars have been tinkering with the formula all season, but nothing yet has restored the confidence and cohesiveness that made them such a force last spring. Now their options are limited, especially within the constraints of the salary cap. That's not a happy scenario for co-GMs Brett Hull and Les Jackson, who are under the gun to make this next choice work, and pronto.

The most likely action? Shore up the goaltending. The team's lack of faith in Marty Turco and his Lane Bryant-size five-hole is the core of their crisis. With the veteran struggling to find his way, and the unwillingness of the coaching staff to trot out rookie Tobias Stephan, Dallas needs a reliable veteran option to push their starter. They need someone like former Star Johan Hedberg, a quality, team-first player who can step up in spot starts. The Thrashers aren't inclined to move him -- and I don't think they will -- but it's worth remembering that anyone is available for the right price. Would the Stars be willing to overpay? Probably not, but you never know.

A more likely option is Dwayne Roloson in Edmonton. The Oilers would love to clear up their logjam in net, and Roloson has proven his ability to get on a roll and carry a team.

What if they pick up a goalie and continue to struggle? I think Dave Tippett and his staff have a bit of rope left, but I think his tenure could be on the line if they're playing like this at Christmas. Not to say he hasn't done a good job or that he can't be the guy to right the ship, but there comes a time when firing the coach becomes the only option. With crowds dwindling at the AAC and the Stars' playoff chances rapidly slipping away, you have to think something's going to happen soon.

On the plus side, this isn't a bad year to go into the tank, especially for a team that could use some high-end talent up front. Even if John Tavares is gone when the Stars make their pick, a player like Matt Duchene, Jordan Schroeder or Nazem Kadri would look awfully good in green and black.