Scouting reports.(hockey teams and players) From: The Sporting News | Date: January 26, 2004| Author: Yorio, Kara | COPYRIGHT 2004 Sporting News Publishing Co. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan.  All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group.Copyright information

With about six weeks until the trading deadline, the names of certain players are beginning to fly around the rumor mill. Here are our picks as the five hottest commodities.

Alexei Zhamnov, C, Blackhawks

Scouting report: He's big (6-1,204), although not overly physical. Zhamnov has speed, skill and soft hands. He can play the point on the power play and is defensively responsible. Back surgery this season might scare teams off, however.

Why he's on...