ESPN

Buzzmaster

  (2:11 PM)

We've got Barry!

Thomas (Danmark)

Hey Barry, what's your take on Kessel's new contract and how do you think the Leafs will do this season?

Barry Melrose

  (2:11 PM)

Well, it might help his play knowing he is set up for the next several years. I think it's a good contract. He's been consistent. Toronto has their star player. You have him locked up until his prime is over.

Ryan (Long Isalnd)

Do you have the ISLES making the playoffs? If so what seed?

Barry Melrose

  (2:12 PM)

If they make the playoffs, they've had a heckuva year. They lost some important players. Everybody also got better. And Detroit comes over to the East. They're a playoff team.

Pat (Chicago)

How will key injuries affect playoff hopefuls at the start of the season? Will injuries to Callahan for the Rangers and Gagner and Nugent Hopkins for the Oilers cause issues for their teams down the road?

Barry Melrose

  (2:13 PM)

You have 82 games, so everybody is going to have injuries. Maybe you get them out of the way now, rather than later in the year. That's a part of winning. You hope not to lose your best players over time. It all evens out. Just because they're hurt now it doesn't mean they will be hurt at the end of the year.

Andrew (Philly)

If all things go right for the Flyers, they will: ___________. If all things go wrong, they will: ___________. Most realistic expectation for the Flyers is: ____________. Thanks!

Barry Melrose

  (2:14 PM)

The Flyers' forwards are as good as any in the NHL. Their question mark is in net. Obviously on defense as well. But goaltending, they're starting the year with Ray Emery, who had a great year last year for one of the best teams in the NHL. But he'll see a lot more shots in Philadelphia.

TC (Chicago)

Good luck East. Detroit is about to show you how much better the West always was.

Barry Melrose

  (2:15 PM)

Ooooh, I don't know about that. Detroit will make the playoffs, but you've got Pittsburgh, Boston, Philadelphia, Toronto is getting better. I think Detroit will make the playoffs, but they won't dominate the East. Boston won the Cup a couple of years ago. Three of four Cups have gone to the West, but the East is every bit as strong.

Bausch (NYC)

Top 4 Teams in the Western Conference: Ready. Set. Go.

Barry Melrose

  (2:16 PM)

Chicago, LA, St. Louis, and I'll go Ducks. I think they're better than San Jose. Those are my four best teams.

Chris (Raleigh)

Are people sleeping on the Hurricanes again this year? The top six is loaded (When healthy) and Mueller has his first full training camp. What do you think the ceiling is for the Canes?

Barry Melrose

  (2:17 PM)

It's very tough to win your best defenseman a week or two before the season starts. Ward is coming back from an injury. But you're right, their top six are some of the best in the NHL. Goaltending and defense are the question marks.

Stu (Balboa Peninsula)

Teemu Selanne will score 25 goals are more this season, True or False?

Barry Melrose

  (2:17 PM)

I think so. I agree. He plays with good guys. They have a good power play. Speed is a part of his game. 25 is not out of his range. I wouldn't be surprised to see 25-30.

Stu (Newport Beach)

Barry, you seem to be the only one who like the Ducks this season, can they repeat in the new Pacific?

Barry Melrose

  (2:18 PM)

I think they'll be right there. Obviously losing Ryan is huge. But the kid they got back could be a stud. Their goaltending is solid, their scoring is solid. I want to wait and see how much they miss Ryan. But they have some guys to take his spot. Their a year older. I think they'll be a force in the west.

Justin (NJ)

Are the Devils being underrated by everyone this year? Yeah Kovy and Clarkson are gone, but the additions of Ryder, Clowe, Brunner, and Jagr make for a very deep forward group.

Barry Melrose

  (2:19 PM)

The Devils are a real question mark because of their goal scoring. You lost 50 goals. You lost Kovy who ran the PP. Clarkson was a leading goal scorer and a two-way player. They think they have some guys that can help, but I don't know. Their defense will be OK. But I don't know where they're getting the goals from.

Cody (Pennsylvania )

Stanely cup predictions?

Barry Melrose

  (2:20 PM)

I think LA plays Washington in the Stanley Cup Finals and the Kings win the Cup.

tim lowry (boynton beach fla)

any hope for the Panthers??

Barry Melrose

  (2:20 PM)

It's going to be tough. Their best years are a couple of years down the road. Tim Thomas will help. They need some guys to have career years. If they make the playoffs, they have the coach of the year.

Marc (Providence)

Are the Bruins better or worse with their off-season changes. And were you surprised how quickly they soured on Seguin. The B's behind the scenes show, had them talking about possibly moving him early in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Barry Melrose

  (2:21 PM)

I think they're better. Iginla and Ericson will score more than Seguin and Horton. They have some young defensemen to find spots for. The goaltending will be the same. I think Iginla is a much better fit for Boston than Pittsburgh.

Jacob (Poland)

What are your Olympic predictions?

Barry Melrose

  (2:23 PM)

I think it's tough for the NHL season. Somebody will get hurt in the Olympics and that will hurt some team. Travel will be tough. There's a long trip there and back. It's a compact schedule. The Olympics are tough. The big ice surface will be a factor in the Olympics. That will favor the European players. With the Olympics and outdoor games, it will be a tough season for the NHL.

Blake (Winnipeg)

Barry what is your outlook for a player like Evander Kane?

Barry Melrose

  (2:24 PM)

I think Kane is approaching stardom. He's a star now, but he's approaching another level. He's a complete player. What they need now is for them to make the playoffs. He's a huge star on the horizon in the NHL.

Ed (Queens Village)

Which coach enters season on hot seat?

Barry Melrose

  (2:25 PM)

I think there are a lot of coaches that have to get off to good starts. Edmonton is a team that can't afford to lose early. The Rangers' first nine games are on the road. But I don't think any coach is on the verge. We've changed so many coaches in the last 5 years. Trotz, Babcock. But how many coaches have been there 5-6 years? Not many. A team like the Rangers have changed coaches and are off to a 9 game road trip. That's tough.

Alex (Anaheim)

Do you expect the Ducks to trade Hiller at some point this year?

Barry Melrose

  (2:26 PM)

Hiller has been very good for the Ducks. They must feel they have a good young goaltender in the pipeline to take his spot. But if a team came with a deal that blew them away, they'd look at it.

Eric (Chicago)

Barry who wins tonight...Hawks or Caps?

Barry Melrose

  (2:27 PM)

I look for the Caps to win. These nights are a disaster for the home team. The building will be crazy. They just got their rings the other night. Players have to get extra tickets. It's a nightmare for the home team.

The only hockey fan in (Honolulu)

Hey Barry, Do you think Khabibulin finishes the season with the Hawks or will they give Raanta a look?

Barry Melrose

  (2:27 PM)

I think so. I think that's a good set up. He knows the Hawks and the Hawks know him. Crawford is the No. 1 and Khabibulin knows that. He's the obvious No. 2 and everything is pretty simple there as long as Crawford stays healthy.

The only hockey fan in (Honolulu)

Melrose... With Detroit in the East now.. Could you imagine a Wings vs Hawks cup??? Oh my God!!!! That would be the greatest thing ever.

Barry Melrose

  (2:28 PM)

That's one of the great things about Detroit going to the East is the Original Six teams playing. The odds of Original Six teams playing now in the Cup Finals go down, because the Hawks are the only one in the West.

Brendan (Columbus)

Chances of Gaborik with CBJ next year? Not really sure he fits in with the teams identity.

Barry Melrose

  (2:30 PM)

Horton signed with Columbus. He could have signed with a few others. If they have a great year this year and Gaborik has a great year, he may want to stay and be on the ground floor of something. What needs to happen, they need to win, he needs to play well. Who knows.

Rae Kim (Anaheim)

I also like the Ducks this season, but I like them every season so... hey Barry thank you for taking the time. I think our biggest question mark is our D! What are we going to do? Can you coax Niedermayer out of Retirement?

Barry Melrose

  (2:31 PM)

That won't happen. You guys were lucky enough to have him for a couple of years and you got a Cup out of him. But I like the Ducks. They have some good young defensemen. You have a good defense there. You were a game away from moving on to the next round last season. Bruce is a good coach. I don't think the Ducks fans have much to cry about.

Barry Melrose

  (2:31 PM)

Happy Hockey Days to all of you out there! I know you're all as happy as I am to have hockey back. Enjoy the games!