Buzzmaster

  (2:01 PM)

We've got Barry!

Brendan (Boston)

Barry, any truth to the rumors that Pat Kane may be available? If so, Thomas for Kane?

Barry Melrose

  (2:02 PM)

No. What I think is happening is Buffalo should trade Ryan Miller for Kane. Buffalo's not playing well. Kane's a Buffalo kid. Chicago's not playing well. But I don't think there's any validity.

Mike T. (Ithaca, NY)

Quick one: Caps make the playoffs....yes/no?

Barry Melrose

  (2:03 PM)

They can make it. And I still think they will. They're better than Florida, Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa. But the only reason they're in it is those teams can't put together a winning streak. They're too good to lose to those teams.

Julian (duluth,mn)

If the ducks make the playoffs, what damage can they do?

Barry Melrose

  (2:04 PM)

They'd be a dangerous team. If they make the playoffs, that means they won many of their final games. It's more how you finish than where you finish. Anyone on a high going into the playoffs can have a good finish. A team like that would have huge momentum.

Brendan (Boston)

Barry, is the east just left to the Rangers/Bruins conference finals at this point? Are there any other true contenders?

Barry Melrose

  (2:04 PM)

Pittsburgh will have something to say about that. They're playing good right now. Malkin is playing unbelievable. Crosby is skating. But New York is the best team by quite a bit right now.

Eric (Texas)

What player could the Stars look to add at the trade deadline?

Barry Melrose

  (2:05 PM)

I think they would like to get better. The injury to Morrow is a tough one. Dallas is not a team that's going to spend a lot of money or give up a lot of players. They might make some small deals, but I don't think they'll be involved in a big one.

Rich (Windsor)

Barry, all this talk of big trades, are there any chance anyof them actually happen? aswell are the wings going to surprise people and trade for a big name?

Barry Melrose

  (2:06 PM)

I think it's a lot of talk. There are a lot of guys who earn their living by making trade rumors up. Making a major deal at this time of year is tough. If you're talking about Suter, Nash, that's very tough. The problem is there are only a couple of teams that think they are out of the playoffs. There are not a lot of sellers.

Ice Ace (Alabama)

How impressed were you on how the Sharks played Monday against the Capitals?

Barry Melrose

  (2:07 PM)

The Sharks are a good team. They've been good for 10 years. They have an elite talent level team. I'm surprised when they play bad with that lineup. But they have to show us come playoff time.

Clint Nielson (Los Angeles)

Is Quick going to take the Kings to the playoffs?

Barry Melrose

  (2:08 PM)

Well, he'll do his share. But the problem is they can't score. They're the lowest scoring team in the NHL. That puts tremendous pressure on the goaltender knowing he has to win 1-0, 2-1. You better not lose 5 in a row out west or you'll be out of the playoffs.

Chris (chicago)

can my hawks win tonight with boron in goal for the rangers

Barry Melrose

  (2:09 PM)

The way Chicago's playing right now and how the Rangers are playing, you'd think that Chicago won't be able to win no matter who is in net for the Rangers.

Kev (NYC)

What does TB have to do to turn it around...Trade Lecavalier?

Barry Melrose

  (2:09 PM)

Yeah, they would trade him, but nobody would pick up his contract. He's one of the highest paid guys in the NHL and he's not a 50-goal scorer any more. He's like Jeff Carter, his contract makes him untradeable.

Ryan (Detroit)

Who is your favorite for the cup? can the wings win it with what they have or need more? moen?

Barry Melrose

  (2:10 PM)

Right now, I would have to say the Rangers, followed closely by Detroit. The only reason I give the Rangers an edge is the way Lundqvist is playing.

dusty carter (newbury vermont)

Hey Barry , What r we going to do with the flyers. They going to get Hextall out off retirement . Who do we pick up at trade dead line?

Barry Melrose

  (2:11 PM)

I think the Flyers are trying to make a move. They're trying to add a defenseman. They have to get their goaltending situation figured out. Bryzgalov has been a major disappointment. They've always tried to be active at the deadline.

Eric Johnson (Detroit, MI)

Barry; The Red Wings accomplished an amazing feat a few nights ago by winning their 21st straight home game, good enough for tops in the NHL record books. Does their home-ice dominance continue into the playoffs, and will the Red Wings advance to, and win, the Cup Final?

Barry Melrose

  (2:12 PM)

I see no reason to think it will stop. They're playing great. They're doing it without Howard. All of their best players are healthy and playing well. Their guys are contributing.

Rob (North of the Border)

What happens in Dallas and Los ANgeles tonight?

Barry Melrose

  (2:13 PM)

It's basically a playoff game. The intensity should be high. Dallas has to win. LA is a team they have to catch. I expect to see intense, physical hockey.

Lincoln (MO)

Do you agree with Kolzig's comments about Ovechkin being too caught up in his own rock star status?

Barry Melrose

  (2:14 PM)

I think Ovechkin hasn't been the same player the last two years and the Caps haven't been the same team the last two players. Ovechkin is the face of the organization and he needs to be the leader. Malkin took his game to another level and Washington needs Ovechkin to do the same thing.

Toby (DC)

Barry, great suit. Finish this sentence:The penguins will....

Barry Melrose

  (2:14 PM)

They'll make the playoffs and be a tough team to beat. I don't think they're as good as Boston or the Rangers right now. But with a hot goaltender like Fleury can be, I expect them to be a tough matchup come playoff time.

Marc (Malden, MA)

Chara takes a puck to the throat and Habs fans cheer...stay classy Montreal.

Barry Melrose

  (2:15 PM)

They hate Chara. After that Pacioretty hit they hate him. That's just fans hating the other team's best player. It's a sign of respect. I would hope if he was seriously hurt that the fans would handle it with more class. They do hate Chara there.

Saucy (Los Angeles)

Hey Barry,I know hindsight is 20/20 but do you think that Washington made a mistake in firing Bruce Boudreau? Washington is now middle of the pack in the East and the Ducks (who I can't stand) are suddenly making a large push for the playoffs.P.S. Do you know of any good softball leagues here in SoCal (because after this season, free agent Dustin Penner will need one)?

Barry Melrose

  (2:16 PM)

They had to do something at that time. I'm a fan of Bruce's and I'm biased, but they had to do something. They had to fire the coach because the team was so bad at the time.

Chuck (Novi, MI)

Barry how do you think the relocation of Phoenix will play out? Seattle? QC? Hamilton? And do you think the league could expand to 32 teams?

Barry Melrose

  (2:17 PM)

The NHL has said that this will be the last year they run the team. When the new ownership group takes over, the NHL would love to keep the team in Phoenix, but they've also said they won't force the new owners to stay there. KC, Quebec, Seattle are some cities being mentioned. With the success of Winnipeg, I wouldn't be surprised if a team moved to Quebec.

Mike (Westford, MA)

The talk in Chitown is coach Q is on the hot seat? What would you do?

Barry Melrose

  (2:18 PM)

Every coach is on the hot seat in the NHL. To lose 9 games in a row this time of the year with that talented team, something has to change. You can't stay pat. The two ways of doing things is to make a trade or fire the coach.

steve (princeton)

is henrik lundqvist a lock for the vezina already?

Barry Melrose

  (2:19 PM)

Well, unless he gets hit by a bus in the next month. He's been great. Right now, I would say he's been the best goalie in the NHL.

Sam (Portland)

Speaking of Max Pacioretty, do you think he can turn into a star goal scorer that Montreal needs? Also, how about the Eric Cole signing? That has got to be one of the only good things that happened for Montreal this year.

Barry Melrose

  (2:19 PM)

Definitely. I think he's great. I think he becomes a 30 goal scorer. Him and Cole have some magic together.

Kev (NYC)

Would you call Brad Richards the best offseason move? Tied for 2nd in the NHL with 8 GW Goals....

Barry Melrose

  (2:20 PM)

If the Rangers weren't winning, I think he would take some heat for the numbers he puts up. I think the Rangers thought he would score more and help the power play. But the Rangers are winning and he has 8 GW goals.

Kim (Wisconsin)

What do you think the Pens need to do to get to the level that the Rangers and Bruins are at?

Barry Melrose

  (2:21 PM)

I think they'd like to get deeper at the trade deadline. Crosby coming back changes everything. They're a good team. They play hard, fast. They're not as physical as New York or Boston. They're not far behind them though.

Mark (Nashville, TN)

If Pekka can go on one of his tears in the playoffs (under a 2.00 GAA) can this team...as is.....make a run? Or will the overall youth and inexperience hold them back?

Barry Melrose

  (2:22 PM)

Yeah, I like Nashville. Great goaltending. Great system. They don't give up many goals. Very tough to play against. They're the type of team that scares you come playoff time.

Bradon (Sandy, UT)

Does Teemu come back for another year?

Barry Melrose

  (2:23 PM)

I don't see why not. He's still great. He looks like he's having fun. His skating ability hasn't slowed down. He's always said he'll keep playing while he's having fun.

brett (seattle)

Barry, do you think Patrick Roy will be coaching Montreal or Colorado next year?

Barry Melrose

  (2:23 PM)

I think Patrick will coach in the NHL. Both of those teams make sense. Montreal makes a lot of sense because they need a French speaking coach in Montreal. He would be a great PR hiring as well.

Mike (Toronto )

Thoughts on Toronto and whether you think they make it or flop. Do you think Burke has something up his sleeve in the next few weeks?

Barry Melrose

  (2:24 PM)

I think Burke's trying to. He usually tries to make deals way ahead of the deadline. But right now they're not as good as 5-6 other teams in the East.

Garrett (NY)

Would a Rangers vs. Red Wings finals put hockey back on the map so to speak?

Barry Melrose

  (2:25 PM)

I think Rangers anybody. Rangers-Chicago. Rangers-anybody. To have the No. 1 market in the U.S. All of the major markets have great teams right now.

Kevin (Portland, OR)

What should Buffalo do? Do we just chalk the season up to injuries or is their a fundamental flaw with front office, coaching, and roster?

Barry Melrose

  (2:25 PM)

I think they have to change their roster a little bit. They're too small up front. They need some power forwards. You have to get to the net in today's NHL.

Mason (Los Angeles)

Mr. Melrose...Rick Nash. Have at it!

Barry Melrose

  (2:26 PM)

I think Columbus would be crazy to trade him. If they do, it will be a disaster. There are only a few teams he'll go to. He has a no-trade. It would be a major market team.

Kev (NYC)

If you were Boston's GM, would Horton's health be the major factor in whether or not you make a big trade for a top 6 forward?

Barry Melrose

  (2:27 PM)

I think they have to think he's not coming back. This is his second concussion. You have to be worried about that. If he comes back, it's unbelievable.

Barry Melrose

  (2:27 PM)

I'm going to be sitting in front of that Chicago-Rangers game tonight. It will be a very interesting matchup!