Can you answer these TRADE deadline prediction questions?

1) I highly doubt Richards will go to New York. The Rangers contacted Dallas about him and Joe Nieuwendyk said he'd want Brandon Dubinsky, Marc Staal and Derek Stepan for him. Sather said it was "laughable". As far as I know they haven't spoken since.

Anytime anyone of any pedigree is mentioned as available, the Kings are rumoured to be the landing zone. And then it never happens. I think this will be the case again.

The Leafs are trading all their stock for young talent, (Kaberle and Versteeg for example) Burke realized his changes didn't go so well and has given up to try again through a long term rebuilding project of draft picks. They are sellers not buyers: no Richards there.

Which leaves Buffalo and Montreal.

Montreal has maybe the biggest need for a player like Richards right now, they are sitting in 6th in the East right now and definitely need to do something to go from an also-rans team to a contender. However, as a forward who's 6 feet tall, the Canadiens probably won't want him, too bad he wasn't 5'9" lol.

With the new owner in Bufffalo and his attitude towards winning. one great quote of his went something like "the only thing Buffalo is about now is winning a Stanley Cup, I don't care about money, I've got money and If I wanted to make more I do it in oil and gas", it's a very exciting time for Bufffalo. With a GM who was hamstringed by budget now being given free rein to do as he pleases, I could see Richards ended up there quite easily.

2) I don't suspect Hossa will be moved this year (for a change). He finally won his Cup and Chicago, while not the team they were last year, are still quite capable. Rumour has it they are in the market for a good penalty killing defenseman, they obviously want to try and make a push for the playoffs and letting Hossa go won't help that. And Hossa has a lot of years left on that long 12-year contract he signed with Chicago.

My prediction is Jason Arnott and Andy Greene end up in Washington - perhaps Semin will become a Devil?

1) Brad Richards…if you know that Dallas was not going to resign him…and you knew that he was going to be traded to the Kings, Rangers, Habs, Sabres, or Leafs…where do you see him ending up….out of the teams list above? Why?

Rangers or Leafs, I don't know why.

2) Since I see a bunch of new faces, so I will dumb things down a bit. A “rental player”, is a player that is obtained by a team that has an anticipated shot for a cup run before the trade deadline. This player will be at the end of his contract, and is offered a deal with the intention of making it deeper into the playoffs, with no intention of resigning the player once the season is over. Think “Hossa”. Who will be this year’s big “rental” player deal? Any prediction of what team takes him?

Kovalev. Again, I don't know

1) I don't think Richards is going ANYWHERE before the trade deadline expires. First of all, since he's currently out with a concussion there's a good chance that any deal involving him could be nixed by the NHL. Secondly, Joe has made it pretty clear the the asking price for Richards is STEEP. While Richards, when healthy, is an elite play-making center, he's not worth what's being asked for in return (Crosby and Ovechkin might be worth that much, MIGHT) and none of the teams that might be buyers have a GM dumb enough to make that move.

2) Kaberle and Kovalev are total cop-out answers and you should be ashamed of yourselves. A part of the question is who do you think will take this year's big rental, and Kaberle and Kovalev have already moved. Besides, Kaberle only plays when he wants to play and Kovalev is about a decade past his prime. I'm gonna predict that this year's big rental player deal will involve Tim Connolly getting shipped from the Sabres to any team that needs a top-2 center, maybe the Penguins since Malkin's out the rest of the year and Crosby may not be back either

1) Glen Slather is silly enough to go all in on a rental that is potentially injured and with Gaborik out I could see him offering way too much. Brian Burke is back to being a ninja master which leads me to think he won't go down that road. Ron MacLean will be sporting wood if the Leafs go after him (that'll make Coach's Corner more awkward than normal). I think Slats will offer up too much because he seems to be all about the "name" brand.

Not that you care (or maybe you do) but I'd like Brian Burke to not do much unless someone decides to drunkenly overbid for Clarke MacArthur (what's that Atlanta- Bogosian and a 1st round pick for MacArthur? You got it!).

2) I'd have said Alexi Kovalev, but Ottawa sent him away for next to nothing. Does Ray Shero have pictures of Bryan Murray co-mingling with livestock? Kaberle was the big name on the board but the Leafs moved him last Friday (thought it was a good trade for both teams). Have to wonder what else the Sens are going to cut loose...Spezza would be a big lift for any team for sure. Tomas Vokoun of FLA is the other piece...his playoff pedigree is nil but still you have to wonder.

I'd like to see Komisarek traded for...the price last week was a two-four. Right now I'd take a box of Timbits. Right now I'd like a box of Timbits, and then sit there like some total "you're giving up" loser and eat them, and just not give a damn if powdered sugar and Timbit schmutz all over me (because like an idiot I ignored the weather which means I'm driving home in a snowstorm among people that collectively coin the phrase "Torontarded").

1. L.A. - They have the cap room for a good shot at resigning him after the season. Plus, he would have to waive his no trade clause, and if he goes anywhere (out of the teams you listed), they have the best chance at a deep playoff run.

2. If Richards goes somewhere else besides LA, then Richards. Not sure of their cap space (or lack of it), but can you see him back in Tampa for a few months?

And, just to throw another name out there - Chris Phillips to Vancouver. The Canucks are good, but they really need to be thinking about depth on the blueline right about now. Call him an insurance policy!

A rental player is someone who will be a free agent come July 1st, and likely wont sign with the team in the offseason. This years rental player is Kaberle, and possibly Richards if he gets traded. I see Richards going to the Rangers.

1. I could see Richards going to the Habs. Can't put my finger on it, but it seems like a good fit.

2. Kovalev is this year's definition of a rental player.

First and foremost no need to dumb anything down. I'm well hearsed in hockey terms and have been a fan since the 1987-1988 season.

Brad Richards has to get healthy. He just now returned to skating. His health may well give some teams reason for pause. The Rangers are desperate for a top-flight center. Although the asking price is going to be pretty steep. All of the teams you have listed have a dire need for a number one center. I think a lot will be determined be how the games play out this weekend. Buffalo currently trails eighth-place Carolina by three points but with two games in hands. Toronto trails by four points.

Buffalo has been without a legitimate number one center since Derek Roy went down with a season-ending knee injury. I understand they have no designs in resigning Tim Connolly so they would certainly be willing to part ways with him in a package deal to obtain Richards. But I doubt they will be willing to part ways with some of their young assets (Ennis, Byron, Adam) and Dallas may well ask for one of them.

Montreal needs a playmaking center to set up Gionta and Cammalleri. They thought that they had solved that problem by acquiring Scott Gomez but he seems disinterested and unwilling to work hard to take advantage of his talent.

Toronto falls into the same category - without a legitimate top center. Of course they are building for the future and are banking on Nazem Kadri filling the bill.

Really comes down to what Dallas is asking for and what these teams are willing to part ways with.

But based on recent trade deadlines I would not be surprised to see him on Broadway.

1) Hello lovely one. You know my answer to this one. I would like to see my old buddy Joe trade him to my team, the Leafs, for that 3rd round pick that Burke has said is in play. But I see it being for that third and a conditional 1st if he signs with Toronto.

2) I'd like to think that Kaberle is this years rental and he comes back to Toronto. But it's probably Cory Stillman again. He's done it twice before. It's in his resume.

1. I guess of anywhere i would like to see him go to the rangers or Gabs.. I dont want him to stay in the division the leafs have nothing i would like to see here in dallas and the rangers and habs both have a few people here and there that i wouldnt mind... all in all i hope he stays...

2. first thanks for takeing it to a level that even Tbone would get.. rumer has it that it will be richards again i hope not...