Q: Can the Coyotes make a serious playoff run or is their recent win streak more likely just a blip?
— Drew Sternberg from Jackson, Wyo.

A: The Desert Dogs won seven straight, a run that began just before the New Year, and at least positioned themselves for a serious run at a playoff spot.  As you know, Drew, that's far better than they looked over the course of the first 10 weeks of the season.

Now, are the Coyotes Cup ready?  Frankly, I think their roster is still a work in progress, something GM Mike Barnett has proven with some significant moves during the season.

To wit:

• Noting that Curtis Joseph needed a reliable backup, in order for the veteran to gain needed rest between starts at his age (40 in April), Barnett on November 28 picked up Mikael Tellqvist from the Leafs.   Tellqvist, marginalized in Toronto when the Leafs swapped from Boston's Andrew Raycroft over the summer, picked up three of the wins in the 7-0-0 stretch.  CuJo went 4-0, winning twice by shutout.
• Face-off machine Yanic Perreault was added as a free agent on Oct. 29, and his superlative play earned him a spot on the Western Conference All-Star roster.  Perreault came at an economical $800,000 (for one year), after he turned down a two-year offer from the Islanders at slightly better money over the summer.  Not only has he been outstanding at the face-off circle, he has been one of the Coyotes' most significant offensive contributors.
• Versatile forward Kevyn Adams, a member of the Cup-winning Canes, was added Jan. 8 in a swap for Dennis Seidenberg.  

All three moves have helped to prop up what was an aged, underperforming lineup, one that took significant hits with injuries to Steve Reinprecht, Nick Boynton and Keith Ballard.  All three are now back in the lineup, and that will only help.  Just after the new year, they also dished Mike Comrie, and his $3 million salary, to the Senators.  If they want to spend some money prior to the Feb. 27 trade deadline, they now have that breathing room.

All in all, though, I think it remains a roster under construction.  The picture has improved significantly, and at least they have some positive momentum — but they're a ways away from hoisting the Cup.

Q: What is the biggest obstacle that would prevent the Predators from making a serious run for the Stanley Cup?
— Bill from Anchorage, Alaska

A: To be honest, Bill, I would really have to split hairs to come up with a single reason to think Nashville couldn't make it to at least the Conference finals (or Cup semis) this year.  

L.A. made some good moves yesterday, but I would say the Rangers are the biggest winners, which sucks since I hate that team. At least the Red Wings lost some players and had to way overpay for Rafalski. — Posted by edmoiler13   Go to discussion board

Size among their forwards was an issue in past years, but they went out last summer and added 6-foot-4 Jason Arnott at center.  Like many clubs, the Preds could play with more of a nasty edge, but they play with such speed and puck control, I don't see surliness as an issue.

So, the easy answer here is: nothing.  Provided they stay healthy, and the impressive netminding tandem of Tomas Vokoun and Chris Mason remains in synch, I think it will a protracted spring in Music City.  

Q: Is Todd Bertuzzi ever going to return to the Panthers?  And is Steve Moore going to try to play again?
— Todd Dobson from Portland, Ore.

A: "I can see the end coming, for sure."

That's what Bertuzzi had to say in mid-January, and he wasn't suggesting that "the end" meant retirement.  Bertuzzi, who turns 32 on Feb. 2, is getting stronger following back surgery and has targeted the end of January for rejoining team practices.

If all goes well, Bertuzzi could be back at right wing for the Panthers by his birthday.

As for Moore, the former Harvard/Colorado forward assaulted by Bertuzzi in a game nearly three years ago, the feeling around the league is that he will not play again.  He has legal action pending against Bertuzzi, after ostensibly being mugged by the bruising power forward.  If there is a chance the 28-year-old Moore ever plays again, there is zero chance he would even think about getting on the ice before he has his day(s) in court.