Scott Burnside

  (1:03 PM)

Greetings all. Just about halfway through this lockout shortened season. So, where were we?

Dara (Fl)

I would like to know why the NHL/PA think that the realignment is such a good idea. It makes the travel schedule absolutely horrible for florida teams, especially the Panthers.

Scott Burnside

  (1:06 PM)

Dara; The NHL had to do something about the issue of having Winnipeg in the Southeast and they chose to use this opportunity to try and bring some more geographic equity to the alignment of teams. It's not perfect in fact from it but it does bring logic to the illogic of having teams like Columbus and Detroit in the west and teams like Dallas playing so often outside its time zone.

Colin (New York)

What would it take (both players and money) from the Rangers to get O'Reilly from Colorado?

Scott Burnside

  (1:08 PM)

Colin; My sense is that the Avs aren't interested in prospects or picks but everyday NHLers and that means a real hockey deal a la the Ryder/Cole deal and those are hard to come by. Hard to imagine the Rangers doing that kind of deal given how much everyday depth they gave up in the Rick Nash deal.

Woody (Washington, DC)

The NHL's new realignment proposal seems to preclude an expansion franchise in Quebec City, even if an arena were built, because any new club likely would be forced into the Midwest Conference -- which won't happen. Do you agree? Because Quebec City would be the easternmost city in the league, presumably the only alternative would be to relocate an existing franchise like Florida, Columbus or Carolina. What is your take on whether that the NHL's long-term plan?

Scott Burnside

  (1:09 PM)

Woody; That's the one part of the plan; 16 teams in the two Eastern Conference divisions; that I find most confusing. What happens if Phoenix has to relocate? Is the assumption the NHL moves to Seattle? Hardly a given with all of the uncertainty surrounding the building of a new arena there. In short a mess waiting to happen.

Mark (Los Angeles)

If the Ducks don't sign Perry, could you see a trade of Perry for Ovechkin? Alex might be missing Boudreau right about now.

Scott Burnside

  (1:12 PM)

Mark; No doubt the Ducks will want an everyday player and presumably a forward if they do trade Perry. Not sure they'd want one with the contract that Ovechkin carries. Would Ovechkin go for it? Would the Caps? Interesting scenario. Not exactly in the Ducks' financial wheelhouse although new rules would allow the Caps to eat some of Ovechkin's salary.

Joe (Phila. Pa.)

Do you think the Flyers will make a major trade before the deadline?

Scott Burnside

  (1:15 PM)

Joe; If there's one guy that will always be in the hunt for a big deal it's Paul Holmgren. Interesting that St. Louis GM Doug Armstrong has been a multiple visitor to Philadelphia. One possibility would be Daniel Briere although Briere could veto any trade and has indicated he isn't interested in leaving Philly. Problem is that Blues aren't looking to shed players from their roster as they gear up for what they hope will be a long playoff run.

Scrapper (Chicago)

When do the Blackhawks lose in regulation?

Scott Burnside

  (1:17 PM)

Scrapper; Tonight versus the Blues will be a big test even though Blues banged up especially up front.

Scott Burnside

  (1:17 PM)

Scrapper; Tonight versus the Blues will be a big test even though Blues banged up especially up front.

Scott Burnside

  (1:17 PM)

Scrapper; Tonight versus the Blues will be a big test even though Blues banged up especially up front.

Jesse (Rochester)

Is there anything Buffalo can do to contend in the short term, or will this be another longer term rebuild?

Scott Burnside

  (1:17 PM)

Scrapper; Tonight versus the Blues will be a big test even though Blues banged up especially up front.

Scott Burnside

  (1:17 PM)

Scrapper; Tonight versus the Blues will be a big test even though Blues banged up especially up front.

Scott Burnside

  (1:18 PM)

Scrapper; Tonight versus the Blues will be a big test even though Blues banged up especially up front.

Scott Burnside

  (1:18 PM)

Scrapper; Tonight versus the Blues will be a big test even though Blues banged up especially up front.

Scott Burnside

  (1:18 PM)

Scrapper; Tonight versus the Blues will be a big test even though Blues banged up especially up front.

Allen (Dallas)

Any chance with realignment we see the divisions named after legends of the game again?

Scott Burnside

  (1:19 PM)

Scrapper; Tonight versus the Blues will be a big test even though Blues banged up especially up front.

Scott Burnside

  (1:19 PM)

Scrapper; Tonight versus the Blues will be a big test even though Blues banged up especially up front.

Scott Burnside

  (1:19 PM)

Scrapper; Tonight versus the Blues will be a big test even though Blues banged up especially up front.

Scott Burnside

  (1:19 PM)

Scrapper; Tonight versus the Blues will be a big test even though Blues banged up especially up front.

Scott Burnside

  (1:20 PM)

Sorry, a bit of a techno glitch there.

Patrick Kane (Chicago)

If the season ended today, am I deserving of the Hart Trophy?

Scott Burnside

  (1:22 PM)

Patrick; I would say you're in the conversation but as of today Pekka Rinne, Craig Anderson would likely edge ahead of you although you might be on the final ballot. That said, pretty remarkable turnaround for a young man about whom there was considerable skepticism.

Kid A (chi)

what is the point of the new york islanders?

Scott Burnside

  (1:22 PM)

Kid A; Well every drama needs its comic relief, no?

RG (AZ)

Is Detroit a very good team or just a good team? Or, are they just medicore now? I can't tell. But I know they're no longer elite.

Scott Burnside

  (1:25 PM)

RG; Like a lot of teams thus far they're really good sometimes, good more often than not and junky sometimes. Love the emergence of Niklas Kronwall and any team with Zetterberg and Datsyuk up front can't be discounted. Can Jimmy Howard continue to shoulder such a big load in goal? I say playoffs are a high probability but beyond that?

thirdsaint (IL)

How would you rate the hockey play this season? The only thing I fear is that if my favorite team, the Blackhawks, were to win the cup it would be written off because of the shortened season. Would that still happen if the Blackhawks dominate it from beginning to end? I may need to consult Bill Simmons on this issue...

Scott Burnside

  (1:27 PM)

third; I honestly don't think there will be any kind of qualifier put on the eventual Cup winner in June. I don't recall, especially as time passes, that anyone disparages the Devils' '95 Cup winning team.

Ben (Queen City)

What in the world os going on with the Sharks!?

Scott Burnside

  (1:30 PM)

Ben; When the Sharks are going - just like any talented team - they get offense from up and down the line-up. But for some reason the Sharks have gotten little of that this season. And when the big guns have gone dry the rest of the team has failed to respond. The Sharks need to show that they are a team that can respond to adversity. So far that hasn't happened.

Bill (Vegas)

Any chance the Ducks would trade Bobby Ryan to free up money to re-sign Getzlaf & Perry? Also, who do you see Montreal targeting either before the deadline or in the summer with the cap room freed up by trading Cole and buying out Gomez

Scott Burnside

  (1:33 PM)

Bill; I think the question isn't whether the Ducks want to sign both Getzlaf and Perry but whether there is a will for both players to stay in Anaheim. Not sure trading Ryan helps the position as part of the attraction in signing has to be winning another Cup. As for Montreal, Marc Bergevin will be keenly aware of Perry's potential given his time in the west and my sense is that if Perry is going to be dealt he will be coming east. Would certainly change the balance of power if Perry ends up in Montreal. Or Boston. No?

Ice Ace (Alabama)

Going back to the Canucks and Red Wings game from Sunday, would you have pulled Luongo after goal 6 or 7? NBC Sports Network studio guys said Yes, I say no due to the fact they were down 3 and they have another legit number 1 goaltender

Scott Burnside

  (1:34 PM)

Ice; I don't fault the Alain Vigneault for the handling of Luongo. The last two goals were late in the game and I don't recall Luongo being unduly upset a la Patrick Roy. He's a big boy and I suspect whether it was five or six or eight goals at that stage it's already a wasted day.

Erik (Pittsburgh)

What will the price be to obtain Mark Streit?

Scott Burnside

  (1:35 PM)

Erik; Semi-retired goaltender with a big contract.

Lonny (Blaine, Mn)

Please tell me that there will be no more expansion. Just teams relocating.

Scott Burnside

  (1:37 PM)

Lonny; If you look at the realignment plan it cries out for two more teams, no? But agreed the NHL needs to put out the many brush fires before it contemplates expanding to Toronto or Seattle or somewhere else.

Sean McKenzie (Van Wert, OH)

Who would be more likely to get a new franchise Kansas City or Seattle??? Ive heard arguments both ways???

Scott Burnside

  (1:38 PM)

Sean; Seattle without a doubt.

Andy (Newport Beach)

Who do you see the Ducks getting for Perry in a trade? And do you think the Ducks have a legitimate shot to make a run and take the risk by keeping both Getz and Perry if they are not signed by the deadline?

Scott Burnside

  (1:40 PM)

Andy; I think GM Bob Murray has watched closely what happened to the Preds in losing Ryan Suter and before him Dan Hamhuis for no return. Zach Parise, too, although the Devils' run to the final makes a compelling case for keeping your potential free agents even if you're pretty sure they'll walk. That said my guess is they sign at least one and try and trade the other. Don't think Murray loses another asset for free after the Justin Schultz situation.

Peter (Philadelphia)

Jarmo Kekalainen was part of the team in St.Louis that drafted Ben Bishop. He also has a prior relationship with the Sens. Any chance Bishop may end up in Columbus?

Scott Burnside

  (1:43 PM)

Peter; The Senators are operating from a postiion of strength in goal with Bishop filling in nicely for Craig Anderson and Robin Lehner so that's a possibility. And it's not unusual for new GMs to want to surround themselves with people/players with whom they are familiar.

Anthony (NYC)

Scott, I'm a Ranger fan that's not really pannicking. They're playing poorly, but have played a tough schedule and have dealt with some crippling injuries (i.e. Nash). Couple that with Hank and Richards playing below their normal levels and you see a team with a much higher ceiling than their play has indicated. I know this sounds like roses for a team that has played poorly - what say you?

Scott Burnside

  (1:45 PM)

Anthony; I believe water finds its own level and the Rangers are too good a team not to make the playoffs. I expect them to get on a roll now that they're getting healthy. Finishing with home ice in the first round still not out of the question.

Mikey (Lackawanna,NY)

Any news about the Sabres trying to make any possible trades?

Scott Burnside

  (1:48 PM)

Mikey; The problem for the Sabres is that players they might want to deal have contracts that will be hard to move and am sure Darcy Regier will be reluctant to trade any of his young talent given the team's poor performance the last couple of years. In short, tough spot for the Sabres in terms of making a move in the short term that changes their fortunes appreciably. My guess if things get better they get better from within.

Ken (Albany)

What can the Isalnders do to improve and compete for the playoffs?

Scott Burnside

  (1:52 PM)

Ken; Wow, where to start? This is a team with no clue as to how to create a winning culture. Players who should have evolved like Josh Bailey and Kyle Okposo have not. The goaltending continues to be a black hole. Is Jack Capuano the coach to get this team over the hump or is he merely a cheap alternative? Maybe things change if Charles Wang finds a buyer or when the team moves to Brooklyn but right now they continue to be a poor imitation of a pro team.

Alex ((NYC))

Scott, for many years you have said the same thing about the Sabres: they lack leadership since Drury & Briere left. How does a team go about fixing that? Is it developed within younger players, and/or does bringing in veterans from elsewhere work?

Scott Burnside

  (1:54 PM)

Alex; I think it's a combination. Agreed it's easier to identify a leadership vacuum than fill it. But look at teams that have done that; Boston with guys like Chara and Bergeron, Chicago with Toews, Keith, Seabrook, the Kings with Brown, Kopitar, Scuderi. It comes from different sources and you know it when you have it. The Sabres have not had it for a long time.

Richard (Greensboro, NC)

Is Carolina's defense so poor primarily due to the injuries and bound to recover when players return, or will they continue to struggle on the backend even if some players come back?

Scott Burnside

  (1:56 PM)

Richard; Certainly missing guys like Joni Pitkanen who eats up so many minutes is difficult but the 'Canes have fallen off their team defense shown at the end of last season and let's be honest the goaltending hasn't been as good as it needs to be on a nightly basis. Still, the good thing for the 'Canes is they play in the Southeast and so periods of poor play don't necessarily doom their playoff hopes.

Brendan (Boston)

Are the Bruins the best team in the East?

Scott Burnside

  (1:57 PM)

Brendan; Yes. Weird schedule so far as they've got games in hand on all their competition. Still, they are machine-like in how they handle opponents. Give up little defensively, good balance up front, terrific goaltending. Yeah, they're as good as there is in the East.

Judeman5000, CPA (Bakersfield, CA)

How about Ryan O'Reilly for Mike Green?

Scott Burnside

  (1:59 PM)

Judeman: Okay.

Scott Burnside

  (1:59 PM)

Okay folks, thanks for the time and the questions. Look forward to our next gathering. Be well.