Q: Will Brian Burke re-sign with the Ducks or start packing for Toronto?
— Ted from Irvine, Calif.
A: Unless something changes dramatically in the next few weeks, Ted, Burke's days in the O.C. will be finished soon after the conclusion of the Ducks' 2008-'09 season. He's the lame duck Duck, if you will, and will command a huge salary ($3 million or more per year?) upon finishing up his days in Anaheim.

Keep in mind, Ted, he has a very generous offer on the table to stay where he is, but there are just too many compelling reasons — all of them family-related — for him to return to work in the east, or at the very least, the Midwest.

Toronto would be the ideal situation, not just for Burke, but for the Leafs, too, who have had some surprising success here in the early-going of 2008-09 (in large part because of the no-nonsense approach of new Leafs coach Ron Wilson). Talk about a win-win. Burke's myriad family issues (read: logistics) would be resolved instantly with a move to Toronto, and the Leafs, now a mere 41-plus years into their rebuilding project, would have the best GM in today's game.

However, don't bet on the Leafs being the sole bidder for his services. A number of other organizations could be enticed to bring him aboard as GM and/or team president. First on my ''suspects'' list would be Chicago, with Dale Tallon still keeping the GM's chair warm, but not likely to be long on the job (all too obvious when his coach, Denis Savard, got booted right out from under him). Boston, Burke's home for years when he became an agent not long after earning his law degree at Harvard, also is likely to kick the tires when Burke becomes a free agent. Also, don't discount the Senators. If they slip off the charts this season, Burke could be an easy fit in the nation's capital, especially when considering the high profile his wife has in the Canadian broadcast industry.

Q: Which Koivu brother will end up with the most points this season?
— George Williams from Minn.
A: Now that's an interesting question, George, and for now I'm going with the Montreal Koivu (Saku) over the Minnesota Koivu (Mikko). I'm just glad you're not asking me to put my money where my fingers are on this bet, because the 25-year-old Mikko looks like he could quickly become a bonafide scoring stud in the NHL.

However, Saku, soon to be 34, and a cancer survivor with many miles logged on his downsized frame (5-feet-10), still plays a lead role on a dynamic, and sometimes dominant Montreal offense. I'm going with the older bro here simply because the Canadiens play a more aggressive, offense-oriented game than Jacques Lemaire's St. Paul Trappist Wonks.

The Montreal Koivu finished with 16 goals and 56 points last season, while the Minny Koivu collected 11 goals and 42 points in far fewer games (his 57 vs. Saku's 77). Truth is, Saku averaged .727 points per game, while his younger brother averaged .737.

Now, George, I wrote this response without first checking how their stats looked for 2008-09.  Now that I'm this far into the answer, I'll take a look: through games of Oct. 28, Mikko led the familial points race, 13-10. All the more reason I'm glad you only asked for wisdom and not a wager.

Q: Surprised that the Panthers are showing some signs of life this season?
— R.T. from Columbia, S.C.
A: I have to say, R.T., that I am slightly surprised, but generally not all that impressed. True,  they could toy with securing one of the last playoff berths in the East.

But I doubt it. I still believe they are looking at their eighth straight postseason DNQ, even with their improved defense and the always-impressive puckstopping of goalie Tomas Vokoun.   Now, the X-factor here, in my opinion, is defenseman Bryan McCabe, and what kind of production he can bring from the back line once he is healthy. He wrenched his back in the opening game of the season.

McCabe, despite being ridiculed for his poor production last season in Toronto, has the shot and skill set that can lead to a lot of points, especially power-play points. If he gets back in there, and starts to get back some of the rhythm that helped him collect 125 points over the two seasons prior to last year's plummet, maybe they can squeeze out the 92-95 points that it will take to secure a playoff berth. But right now, they don't look like they're there yet.

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