Scott Burnside

  (4:04 PM)

Thanks for sending in your questions. Let's get started!

Janet Toborg (Thiells, NY)

Word is Luongo is back this week Scott. With Sundin starting to contribute will this propel the Canucks in the Northwest?

Scott Burnside

  (4:07 PM)

I think there are a number of question marks on both fronts. It will take Sundin some time to get into an offensive rhythm. How long will that be, I do not know. And also, will he avoid injury? I think he will be productive and durable. Luongo is the bigger question, who is so athletic and carries a heavy workload. Until he is able to play 6 or 7 games without having pain or a relapse, that is the bigger issue. And they have their work cut out for them catching Calgary and making sure they have a comfortable playoff spot and that means avoiding Cetroit and SJ by not finishing in the No. 7 or 8 spot for the playoffs.

Jmerms (NYC)

Whats going on with the All Star Voting? The Canadiens have thier whole team playing

Scott Burnside

  (4:10 PM)

I know. I am okay with the fans voting in the starters, because the whole event is really nothing worth working up a sweat about. If the Habs want to load up the lineup for the game in Montreal, that is fine. I do not really care. I do not really care about the other players named. I think there is more concern over who the NHL names and the ridiculous notion that every team must be represented at the game, which shortchanges very deserving players. The All-Star game means so little, as far as competition and respect, honoring good play. There are other more pressing issues around the NHL than the All-Star team selection.

Steiny (NYC)

Are the Maple Leafs going to trade Tomas Kaberle?

Scott Burnside

  (4:12 PM)

I would say the chances of him being traded are about 80% or higher. I think his comments the other day, suggesting that he would consider trading his no trade clause, indicate that he sees the writing on the wall. He would be a nice fit for a team looking for a puck moving defenseman. He should yield a nice return for the Leafs. I think his days are numbered. I think he will be one of a handful of Leafs who will be departing before the March 4th trade deadline.

Dan McBride (Dealer Track, NY)

Is the Scott Clemmenson bubble bursting as we speak?

Scott Burnside

  (4:15 PM)

In someways, perhaps. I also think that maybe this is inevitable. Clemmenson is a guy who has had so little regular season action, that to suddenly ask him to play 35+ games may be too much. We saw this happen with Conklin last year. When Fleurry came back Conklin showed signs of cracking. So there may be some unrealistic expectations. Also he may come back and turn in some of the performances we've seen the last couple of months. In the end, he has exceeded expectations since taking over for Martin Brodeur.

Andrew (St. Clair, Michigan)

Who wins the presidents trophy, Detroit or San Jose?

Scott Burnside

  (4:18 PM)

Great question and really until the last 10 days you would have guranteed a Sharks victory for the overall point title. But the Wings are hitting on all cylanders, and while the Sharks are still the creme of the crop, they hit a minor speedbump. I think the Sharks eek it out, but it will be a much tighter race than people expected even a month ago. And for those who do not think it means anything, think about a Western Conference final Game 7 between these team and the influence home ice would have on it.

George (Boston, MA)

Talk to me about David Krejci. Did anyone see this coming? He's been just as valuable as Savard!

Scott Burnside

  (4:21 PM)

I guess yes and no. Certainly Krejci performance down the stretch last year was a major factor in overcoming major injuries, including one to Savard, and making the playoffs. He was off to a bit of a slow start this season, but his play has given the Bruins great depth. This team is not a fluke. He has taken a giant step as far as maturity and productivity and he is one of the reasons why I think the Bruins are a good bet to go to at least the Eastern Conference final.

Mike (Lumberton)

How about that Petr Prucha? Good to see him back in form for the Rangers.

Scott Burnside

  (4:24 PM)

The Rangers have been looking for scoring depth and balance since early in the season. He was big part of the Rangers making the playoffs in 2005-06, but he, in someways, has fallen off the map. He has gone from 30 goals in that first season to 7 last year. To me he is a guy, who if they can get the type of production he has shown he is capable of producing, makes them a much better team. It has been hard finding a place for him in the lineup however.

Chet (North Woods)

Can it get any worse for my Sens Scott? What does Murray have in store to totally start over with this hapless squad? Please tell me something drastic!

Scott Burnside

  (4:27 PM)

It really is shocking to see just how far the Sens have fallen in a relatively short period of time. Brian Murray's hands are tied. Could he trade Spezza? Sure, if someone would take on the big contract. But he is the team's No. 1 center and they do not grow on trees, and the Sens can't score. Yes they could get a puck moving defenseman, but whom would he move the puck to with Spezza gone. The Sens need to be looking to stripping down their roster and essentially rebuilding on the fly. The playoffs are not an option this year. That is the grim reality. They need to decide whether Craig Hartsburg is the coach for a rebuilding team and they need to move as many spare parts as they can. It is a cautionary tale as to how quickly the window for Cup contenders can close in the new NHL.

Slava, Yekaterinburg Russia

Any thoughts on Pavel Datsyuk and how he has clearly become offensive weapon #1 for Detroit?

Scott Burnside

  (4:31 PM)

I think when we were talking earlier about the Wings and how they are back in the hunt for the Presidents Trophy, Datsyuk is the catalyst there. It is not just his point production and his ability to handle and shoot the puck that impresses, it is the fact that he is as tough as nails. In the Winter Classic he threw his weight around, and he did the same last year in the Stanley Cup. That is so important in terms of leadership. He gets his nose dirty and also delivers the offensive goods. That is why people are loving the idea of Detroit vs. SJ in the Western final and it is also why many people think the Wings will repeat.

Steve (Wildwood, NJ)

Whats your take on the strength of the Atlantic Division?

Scott Burnside

  (4:37 PM)

Well there is lots of it. It is interesting because after Brodeur went down, you might have expected it to become a three team race, with Philly, NY and Pittsburgh battling it out. But the Devils are in sixth place in the conference and right behind the Rangers and four points behind the division leading Flyers. The free falling Pens are in 10th as we speak. And the Isles are the Isles...dead last in the NHL. I think the Penguins are going to get back in the hunt and it would not surprise me if the top four all make the playoffs, as they were a year ago. And the way Martin Biron is playing, it is hard not to imagine that the Flyers will stay in top and hit the playoffs with the third seed. But there is a lot of ground and games within the division to be played. It should provide for a lot of action the remainder of the season.

Leon (Pheonix)

What's going to happen with my surging Coyotes? Is there any possibility of them having to relocate?

Scott Burnside

  (4:40 PM)

Yes, I think that is a very real possibility. It is sad that a team that is exceeding expectations, in seventh place, are crippled by their financial situation. But unless Glendale is willing to renegotiate the lease with the team, they will likely delcare bankruptcy and be gone. They are already in dire financial straights and it will not get better until a lot of people are willing to work on compromise and creative strategies to increase revenues. But it does not look good.

eric sf

Hey Scott, as a causal hockey fan I was wodnering what is the team point record for a season and do the Sharks, WIngs or Bruins have a chance at it?

Scott Burnside

  (4:44 PM)

The most points in a season was 132 collected by the Canadiens in 1976-77. That was before the extra point for shootout loses. The Sharks have 67 points at 41 games. At that pace they would have 134 points. Now it will be very hard for them to match their current pace. During that 76-77 season the Canadiends won 60 games and lost eight. So there would be an asterisk if the Sharks did it but it would still be a great achievement if they did it.

Wes (Commack, NY)

Who's your rookie of the year Scott? Mason playing out of his mind right now, anyone else in the conversation? Versteeg, B Ryan?

Scott Burnside

  (4:47 PM)

You touched on all the options. It will be interesting in the second half to see if the rookies hit a wall. Patrick Kane described how he ran out of gas at certain points last year. Right now I think Steve Mason has been so crucial to the Jackets staying in the playoff hunt in the West, leading the NHL in Save %, GAA and shutouts. If he can maitain a high level of play I think he runs away with it. But if he falters, keep an eye on Bobby Ryan. He has outpointed every other rookie over the past 5 or 6 weeks at a point a game pace and is really thriving as a full-time member of the team. So he is my darkhorse if Mason falters.

Iceburgh (Pittsburgh)

There have been rumblings that the players in Pittsburgh "despise" their coach. If this wasn't backed-up by Bob McKenzie, I'd dismiss it. Do you have any idea what's going on in that dressing room?

Scott Burnside

  (4:52 PM)

I think players always hate their coaches more when they play as badly as the Pens' have played lately. They have played poorly. Power play, goaltending, defense, they are totally out of sorts. I always think a little perspective is healthy though. Did players love Hitchcock in Dallas? No, but they won a Cup. The Ultimate example is Scotty Bowman in Montreal, who pushed players until they loathed him. Therrien has done a spectacular job turning around this franchise. Yes they are playing poorly and do not look like a team that went to game 6 of the Stanley Cup last June. These things happen. And ownership may decide they need a change down the road, but if happens that is more of an indictment of the players than the coach.

Keith (Raleigh, NC)

Do you see the Capitals taking the Eastern Crown over Boston considering they haven't even played the meat of their schedule, the Southeast Divison?

Scott Burnside

  (4:54 PM)

Good point. Certainly you could hardly find a hotter team, although they are coming off back to back loses. Still they are 9 points back of Boston and the Bruins have a game in hand. It would be a remarkable jump. I think the bigger is issue is whether the Atlantic winner can overtake the Caps, and that is where your point is well taken. Getting to beat up on the division should ensure the Caps have at least the second seed when the playoffs start.

Al (Chicago)

Hey Scott.... I was just wondering if you thought the Blackhawks can make any noise in the playoffs?....Or do you think they are 1 player and/or 1 year away?

Scott Burnside

  (4:57 PM)

What has impressed me about the Hawks this year, and there is a lot, is their resiliance. In the past one or two loses, would have become five or six. This year they recover quickly and to me that is a mark of a mature team, which is ready for the playoffs. The key is staying in the middle of the playoff pack. The fourth, fifth, or sixth spot gives them a good chance of getting out of the first round, which would be seen as a major success. Could they use some help in the middle? Yes. But they play good defense, and their goaltending has been great. I do not think they are that far off at all.

Scott Burnside

  (4:58 PM)

Thanks again. Always a pleasure. Looking forward to doing it again next week as we head into All-Star week!