Dave (NJ)

Biggest winner on deadline day?

Barry Melrose

  (2:03 PM)

I think Nashville. I really like what they did. They added three big guys. I feel they're the most improved team after the deadline.

Jeff (Clearwater)

How well did Yzerman do at the trade deadline?

Barry Melrose

  (2:03 PM)

It will all depend on who they pick with all of the draft picks. They moved Gilroy. It comes down to the draft picks. If they get lucky with the draft picks then it will be some good moves.

Randy (Denver)

Can you see Dallas, Chicago or San Jose falling out of the playoffs?

Barry Melrose

  (2:04 PM)

Well, Dallas would be the one that I would think that could fall out. They have all of those injuries. They're just hanging on by the thread. Chicago looks to be out of the worst of it.

Alex (Anaheim)

I'm loving the season my Rangers are having, but are they too reliant on defense and goaltending?

Barry Melrose

  (2:05 PM)

Well, they have to be. That's how they're going to win. They can't score. Their powerplay is terrible. But they're built for that. They have to play to their strength and that's defensive hockey.

Kev (NYC)

You still pick Pitt to win it all...Is that with the disclaimer that Crosby plays? Because the way Lundqvist is playing, I'm not even sure it matters...

Barry Melrose

  (2:06 PM)

I rate Pittsburgh the second best team in the East. Malkin is the best player in the NHL right now. Fleury is one of the top 5 goaltenders in the game right now. I like them a lot.

Peter (WI)

Kind of a disappointing deadline day, no?

Barry Melrose

  (2:06 PM)

Well, there weren't a lot of sellers. There are so many teams still in the races, so there weren't many teams selling. That drove the prices up on the guys who were available.

Andy (St. Louis)

The Blues have won 3 straight road games, with a good chance at 4 in a row tomorrow night, am I dreaming?

Barry Melrose

  (2:07 PM)

St. Louis is very good. They're flying under the radar. Their goaltending is excellent. They are an excellent hockey club, no doubt about it.

Brendan (Boston)

Barry, why is it that the big names don't get moved at the deadline? Richards last year and Nash this year, so instead of getting SOMETHING for their stars, the teams get nothing when they move to FA because they are stubborn with their demands, why?

Barry Melrose

  (2:08 PM)

Nash isn't a free agent. He has 6-7 years on his contract. Columbus asked for a high price for him and didn't get it so they kept him. But New Jersey could lose Parise for nothing. That's a risk they're taking that they could lose those players for nothing.

Kev (NYC)

Is Detroit in trouble? Datsyuk is out and now Lindstrom isn't playing tonight...

Barry Melrose

  (2:09 PM)

No, those guys need a rest at their age. Datsyuk will come back well rested for the playoffs. Theyr'e fine. They're one of the three best in the West.

James (Edmonton)

Who is your pick to come out of the west?

Barry Melrose

  (2:09 PM)

Right now you have to say Vancouver. They went into Detroit to break their winning streak. They beat the Rangers and Boston. Right now they look like the best out West and they added some pieces at the deadline.

Kev (NYC)

Hey Barry, how bad does Towson look after Nash's post deadline comments? He clearly wanted to move and should've moved. Now they'll get less calue this summer

Barry Melrose

  (2:10 PM)

I think he looks great. The pressure goes to Nash. Now it's been out in the open that he asked to be traded. I think they handled it well at the deadline. They didn't panic. He has 6 years left on the contract. They won't move him unless they get a great price for him, which they shouldn't.

Thoia (Thoing)

How do you like Lundqvist's chances to pull the "Hasek" - combo Vezina/Hart in same year?

Barry Melrose

  (2:11 PM)

Well, he certainly looks like a Vezine winner and he's certainly one of the top guys in the running for the Hart trophy. No doubt about that.

Brendan (Boston)

Should Rangers fans be worried that the team wasn't aggressive enough? Teams after a deep run generally like to add depth at the deadline, why didn't they?

Barry Melrose

  (2:12 PM)

They tried to get Nash very heavily. But the price was too high for him. They weren't going to move 2-3 players off the roster for him, so they decided to stand pat. They're still the best team in the East.

Brendan (Boston)

Is this Luongo's last chance in Vancouver? What other excuses do they have if they don't win a Cup this year?

Barry Melrose

  (2:12 PM)

I don't think it's their last chance. The Sedins are still in their prime. This team is young. Their window is still 3-4 years with all of their stars.

Chad (nyc)

how do you like the avs chances to make the playoffs, noone is talking about them

Barry Melrose

  (2:13 PM)

It's going to be tough. You have to think San Jose will turn things around with the talent level they have. Calgary, Colorado, Dallas, Anaheim, Minnesota all of them are fighting for that last spot and right now Colorado is in good position.

david (nj)

what do you think about the zidlicky to devils trade? do you think it was the right move by lou? right type of player? how will zidlicky help?

Barry Melrose

  (2:14 PM)

Yeah, I like him. He's a guy that hasn't played much lately. He's fresh. He's an excellent defenseman. I like the trade. He'll be a good fit.

Kev (NYC)

But if you're rebuilding which CBJ clearly is...Do you really want a disgruntled leader of your squad who will always be making the most money and doesn't want to be there. Tough to build a winner around that locker room?

Barry Melrose

  (2:15 PM)

You'll probably get a new coach next year. And if they don't trade him, he'll have a new coach there to fire him up again. I like the Carter trade. I don't think you trade him if you don't get what you want for him. You keep him. You've got him under contract for another 6 years. Just because he wants to be traded doesn't mean you give him away for nothign.

Angus D. (Boston)

Will Chiarelli try to move Tim Thomas after the season? He's only got one year of his contract left, and it seems like Rask is ready to take over 60 starts a year. What kind of return could the B's get?

Barry Melrose

  (2:16 PM)

I think it all depends on how Timmy plays down the stretch and in the playoffs. If he has a great playoffs, it will be hard to move him then. If he struggles, then it could be a deal that happens over the summer.

Brendan (Boston)

Any news on Crosby? I haven't read/heard much about his return. He done for the year?

Barry Melrose

  (2:17 PM)

It was on Pittsburgh radio this morning that supposedly things have been going well. He's skating well. Once he's symptom free, the next step is contact.

Kev (NYC)

How big of a steal was Ryan McDonagh in the Scott Gomez deal? He was a throw in--Is arguably a top 5 young Dman in the NHL at only age 22

Barry Melrose

  (2:17 PM)

He's definitely a top 5, probably a top 4. That was a great deal. You pick up a guy from another team that was a high pick. That was a great trade for the Rangers.

Bill (Anywhere)

What will the central standings look like after game 82?

Barry Melrose

  (2:18 PM)

Oh, that could be interesting. I think it will be St. Louis or Nashville finishing first in the Central. Detroit has a couple of injuries. Both St. Louis and Nashville goaltending have been awesome. Chicago will finish fourth.

Studebaker (NJ)

Four teams on the playoff bubble: Washington, Winnepeg, Colorado, Los Angeles. Which teams make the postseason, and which ones will be hitting the links?

Barry Melrose

  (2:19 PM)

I still think Washington gets in. They're too talented. They've won two in a row. They're only three points out of third. They're too talented not to get in. It will be a major shock to the hockey world if they don't get into the playoffs.

Jeff (Nebraska)

Barry, I am a little torn about the Canucks trading Hodgson. Was it really worth trading this kid in his breakout year?

Barry Melrose

  (2:20 PM)

Vancouver felt that one of the reasons they got beat last year was they weren't tough enough. You don't get what they got without giving up something. Hodgson wasn't going to get the minutes behind Sedin.

Manny (Houston)

There was a big debate on here yesterday about which division is the best in hockey. Is it the central or the atlantic?

Barry Melrose

  (2:21 PM)

I think the Central. If you look at the four teams in the Central, it would not be a surprise if any one of them won the Cup. I don't think you can say that about the Atlantic.

James (Edmonton)

Does Vancouver now have what it takes to beat Boston in a 7 game series?

Barry Melrose

  (2:21 PM)

They feel they are. They got some toughness. They still have the great forwards. Luongo has been playing well. They felt they got what they needed and are now tough enough to play against those Eastern teams.

Brendan (Boston)

Assuming the Rangers get the #1 seed, is anything short of the ECF a failure?

Barry Melrose

  (2:22 PM)

With the year they had and the way Lundqvist is playing if they don't win the East, it's been a disappointing year for the Rangers.

Jason (Long Island, NY)

As a former coach Barry, how was it for you during the trade deadline when you had your players names in the papers all the time that they were going to be traded? How did you keep them focused?

Barry Melrose

  (2:23 PM)

It's hard. Brian Burke has mentioned that he's thinking about that if he doesn't get deals done 10 days before the deadline that he'll tell everyone on the team that no one will be traded. It's tough hearing the rumors. It's a big distraction. I'm a firm believer that you should have your deals done well before the deadline.

Kev (NYC)

If you had to play Oddsmaker, will Lundqvist get a good shot at winning the Hart? or does Malkin pretty much have it locked up?

Barry Melrose

  (2:24 PM)

I think it's still a race there. Lundqvist is in that race with Malkin and some others. It will be a good battle. Right now I'd pick Malkin, but you can't argue with those others.

Brendan (Boston)

At this point, it seems only the Rangers, Bruins, Red Wings, Canucks, and Penguins have a serious shot at the Cup. Do you agree with that, or is there another team that can challenge?

Barry Melrose

  (2:25 PM)

I like that list. I think Nashville and St. Louis might be a little bit below those teams. But that's a good list.

Ryan (Denver)

Howcome no one talks about Landeskog for the Calder? This kid does it all...scores, hits, kils penalties and has no superstars around him. Overall, I think he's a complete player compare to the other rookies who only scores.

Barry Melrose

  (2:25 PM)

I think they're talking about him. Henrique from the Devils is right there. But I like Landeskog. He's a high-plus player. I really like that.

Matt (MD )

So I assuming like most of the media, you will probably say that Washington was a loser on draft day for doing nothing, correct?

Barry Melrose

  (2:26 PM)

I would like to have seen Washington doing something. You have some guys being healthy scratches, it would have been nice to get something for them. It would have been a good message for the dressing room.

Rick (Detroit)

What type of chance does Detroit stand against Van in the playoffs?

Barry Melrose

  (2:27 PM)

I think that would be awesome. Two of the most talented teams in the NHL. It would be the Swedish national team split up between the two teams. Probably the best series we could look forward too.

Dave (Cbus)

Is Nash a dead man walking until this summer?

Barry Melrose

  (2:28 PM)

I don't think it's guaranteed that he gets moved. I would doubt that he would be. I don't think anyone will give Columbus what they want. They have to hit a home run with this deal. Unless something changes, I bet he's a Blue Jacket this summer.

Barry Melrose

  (2:29 PM)

I forsee an unbelievable finish to the season. It's going to be fun to watch.

Buzzmaster

  (2:29 PM)

Thanks for chatting Barry!