Hockeytalk with Barry Melrose

A few questions with the ESPN analyst/mullet man with some news and views thereafter. Because some people need their hockey fix.


SprungOnSports -Is Ottawa the clear favorite in the East right now?
Barry Melrose- I'd say so. Pitsburgh has started slow, I like Carolina, but others don't look good. I don't think anyone can argue that they're not.
-No argument here. The Penguins and Rangers need to get back in gear, but the 'Canes look good in a seemingly mediocre Southeast.


SprungOnSports-Can Paul Stastny become the next great Avalanche superstar?
Barry Melrose-He's pretty good--comes from a hockey family, obviously has an immense talent and great work ethic. The Avalanche have some great young players along with him. Their future is very bright.
-He's only 21 and leads Colorado in points with 13. The Joe Sakic age is quickly turning into the era of Stastny and Ryan Smyth to go along with vets like Sakic, Brunette, and Hejduk. The present and future are bright for the Avs.


SprungOnSports-What will the Senators do with Ray Emery?
Barry Melrose-Same situation as the Ducks--you're never in a hurry to get rid of a good goaltender. It gives Emery more chances to get ready to play and a chance to get hungry to play. They can afford to pay him and not hurt the cap. They're very happy with that situation right now.
-Martin Gerber is having a huge start to the season along with the entire team, and you never know when a Goalie will be on the fritz, and then they'll have Emery to take his place. Two capable goaltenders are always better than one.

The Rangers need to get back on track, and will try to do so against an 0-6 Thrashers team that just fired their head coach Bob Hartley. Saturday on CBC, Chicago takes on Toronto, followed by Edmonton and Calgary. The Flames could possibly deal Alex Tanguay to Montreal for a package of people or possibly Alexei Kovalev, according to the Calgary Sun. Boston battles Montreal Monday on Versus, the Rangers battle the Penguins Tuesday on the same station, while Colorado takes on Edmonton Tuesday on TSN. The next night on TSN, Detroit takes on Vancouver.

Hockeytalk Tuesday

What's gone on during free agency since Saturday? The latest Free Agent Frenzy will give you the 411. Other news will be follwed by the newest rumors on and off the ice. All today on HTT.

Free Agent Frenzy
7/6
Dallas signed a pair of former Oilers, inking Brad Winchester and Toby Peterson to 1 year deals. The Stars also signed D Trevor Byrne to a 1 year contract. Minnesota signed former Islanders veteran D Sean Hill to a 1 year contract.
7/9
Vancouver made a pair of moves, resigning D Kevin Bieksa (3/11.25) and signing Aaron Miller away from Los Angeles for 1 year. Detroit signed ageless winger Dallas Drake to a 1 year contract, and Dallas signed LW Todd Fedoruk to a 1 year pact worth 875k.

News and Notes
- Ottawa has promoted assistant coach John Paddock to be the head man of the Senators.
- Surprise!! While being introduced as the new signing for the Islanders, Bill Guerin found a big white C on the left side of his sweater.
"I'm a little surprised," Guerin said. "I'm thrilled about it. It's a tremendous honor. I don't take this responsibility lightly."
Guerin will be on the top line along with free agent acquisitions Mike Comrie and Ruslan Fedotenko.

Rumors
- Contract extension talks are going well between Sidney Crosby and the Penguins, says agent Pat Brisson. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
- Carolina signed C Jeff Hamilton, but the Canes are still looking for a candidate for 3rd line center, and may try to obtain one via trade. Unhappy D Anton Babchuk is a real candidate to get dealt. (Raleigh News and Observer)
- Calgary needs to resign Mikka Kiprusoff. He's obviously a major piece of the franchise. (Calgary Sun)
- Nashville has 8 defensmen on roster, at least one will likely be dealt. (Tennessean)
- Ottawa GM Bryan Murray is in talks with Phoenix and Los Angeles about dealing G Martin Gerber, but to no success thus far. The Coyotes are asking the Sens to take D Derek Morris and his 3.9 million dollar deal. Tampa Bay and St Louis has also shown interest. Ottawa could send Gerber to AHL Binghampton and not have Gerber's contract count against the cap. The Sens have also held discussions about signing veteran Martin Gelinas. (Ottawa Sun)
- Chicago wants to add a veteran winger and a classic defenseman before the start of the season. (Daily Herald)
- The Wild will sign restricted free agent G Josh Harding. (St Paul Pioneer Press)

Baseball All Star game tonight, AKA the AL annual win-fest. Baseball tomorrow.