This is so thrilling.

Ross time!

From his 12/15/07 mailbag:

Q: Not only are the Ottawa Senatorsthe best team in hockey, they have been the model franchise for the last five years. Detroit, one injury away from disaster, is the only team that can hold a candle to the Senators.

Justin Kirouac
Burlington, Ontario

A: You're not going to like it, but I think there are a number of teams in the west that can beat Ottawa in a series.

Wow. What an insightful answer. I have been totally swayed. The specifics-- I never would have picked those teams-- and the way he backs it up... impressive.

Q: An avid fan without a home team, I've heard all kinds of arguments that an NHL team won't work in Kansas City because minor league hockey always seemed to struggle here. I strongly disagree because I believe the products are two different things. Will you take a shot at explaining why minor league hockey is vastly different than the NHL product and they cannot be compared?

Dan
Kansas City, Mo.

A: Minor league hockey certainly is cheaper. It works some places, and not in others. The NHL didn't work very well when the Kansas City Scouts were there from 1974-76, but I wouldn't rule out expansion.

Q: How is selling minor league hockey differnt from marketing the NHL?

A: It's cheaper. It works in some places, but not others (and the NHL, as we know, works in all places). The NHL may expand again.

Q: Zach Parise is one of the youngest stars in the NHL, and the Devils wouldn't be nearly as good without him. Do you see him re-signing with the Devils at the end of this season? If not, do you think he would be good on a different team or just be a Bobby Holik or Petr Sykora, a player who could only be good in New Jersey's system?

Bobby Ellis
Manalapan, N.J.

A: Parise is signed through the 2010-2011 season, but I think he'd look good in any uniform.

Though, I'm sure McKeon would prefer him in no uniform.

Is there a new Power Rankings? I hope so.