WESTERN CONFERENCE

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Liverpool co-owner, and Dallas Stars owner, Tom Hicks (R) and his son Tom Hicks Jnr take their seats in the directors box before Liverpool took on Chelsea in their UEFA Champions League semi-final football match against Liverpool at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England, April 22, 2008.

Photograph by : Getty Images

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'Costly investment'

If Dallas Stars owner Tom Hicks wants to void Sean Avery's standard player's contract because his conduct violated club rules, he's going to have a fight on his hands with the NHL Players' Association.

"The language is vague and ambiguous. It's open to interpretation," said Edmonton Oilers assistant general manager Rick Olczyk, a lawyer by trade who used to work for the NHLPA. The union would surely fight a voided contract.

"They have to defend him. He pays his dues," said Olczyk.

Hicks also has the option to buy out Avery, but not until next June 15, for a two-week period, and after arbitration hearings in August. The Stars would have to pay two-thirds of his remaining salary ($8 million).

"A costly investment," said Olczyk.

Torres has surgery

Columbus Blue Jackets forward Raffi Torres had knee surgery on Friday to clean up some scar tissue.

Torres ripped up his right knee a year ago (Dec. 13) in Detroit against the Red Wings when he was a member of the Edmonton Oilers.

The 27-year-old couldn't stand the pain. He had just four points in 14 games for Columbus this season.

"It's pretty normal to have scar tissue build up, but usually they don't have to go in (to see a doctor). I'd say it's a four-week (rehab)," said Columbus GM Scott Howson. "We knew he wasn't right, but couldn't tell if he was just chasing his conditioning."

Markkanen returns

Former Oilers goalie Jussi Markkanen is easing his way back into the Red Army net (Kontinental Hockey League) after the tragic death of his son, Olli, in Moscow in September.

Markkanen got his first starting assignment Tuesday, in a 5-1 victory over Khimik, the Voskresensk club team where Igor Larionov got his start as a teenager. He has also come in relief of young Konstantin Barulin in one game, and has been with the team for about 10 days.

Streaking Selanne

Anaheim Ducks forward Teemu Selanne hasn't scored an even-strength goal since opening night of the 2008-09 season, but nobody can knock his power-play efficiency.

Selanne's last 13 goals have come on the power play, the second-longest streak in NHL history. Camille Henry, who was a master at the deflection, had 17 in a row for the New York Rangers in 1954.

Selanne has 203 career power-play goals. Only Dave Andreychuk (274), Brett Hull (265) and Phil Esposito (249) have scored more.

This 'n' that

- If rookie Steve Mason has become the Columbus Blue Jackets No. 1 goalie, when are they trading

Pascal Leclaire for a puck-moving defenceman? Leclaire's constant medical problems may be a concern, but he's only 26 years old and had nine shutouts last season.

- The St. Louis Blues keep saying Paul Kariya's hip situation isn't serious, but he has missed 13 straight games. He's 34 years old and has skated plenty of kilometres.

- This isn't the way veteran centre Joe Sakic wanted to go out, hobbling around with a herniated disc in his back after lifting weights.

He's the second Colorado Ava-lanche player to get hurt that way. Milan Hejduk also was injured doing some curls with weights.