larry asks: Do you thing the NHL can stand a lockout?

Don Cherry: There will not be a lockout, they'll rattle their sabres right 'til the end, but they'll get it together. They cannot afford a lockout. It would be the end of guys like Roberts, Nieuwendyk, and a lot of franchises too.

Jamie wants to know where is your favourite place you've visited to watch hockey.

Don Cherry: Pretty good question. The best place in the world to watch hockey was in the old Hershey arena. It was built in 1938, and it was built for hockey only.

Don Cherry: That was in Hershey, PA. I built the one in Mississauga on the same idea , and there's no bad seats in the house. But two other favourites: the Chicago Stadium and the Boston Garden.

Halifax Girl asks: Don, do you think stars deserve special treatment from referees?

Don Cherry: No, they should call them all the way with all of them. On Coach tonight, I'm gonna say they should be treated better by the players, and I'm gonna say the instigator rule should be abolished. Do that and the players will shine. Look at Gretzky with Semenko.

Habs4LiFe2004 asks: Don, which rule changes do you think would benefit the NHL? which ones do you like the most to take effect?

Don Cherry: The tag up rule will go back in, and for the fans that will speed up the game. They're not new rules, they're old rules. The instigator rule has to go, for sure. I don't know why nobody is talking about icing. It has to go, but some of the people there really don't understand what's going on.

Larry asks: Don, Do you think that the NHL will return to Winnipeg, if they make changes to the CBA next year? If yes, which team do you think would be the one that would relocate to Winnipeg?

Don Cherry: They're not building a 15,000 seat arena for AHL. I think it could really happen, and it could be one of the most successful franchises in the NHL. There's a lot of teams you could say -- Florida's losing a lot of money, Nashville, Pittsburgh.

Golden Girl asks: Do you think Lindros and Roenick should retire or keep playing?

Don Cherry: They won't retire, they're just talking. I hear Lindros is feeling great and is talking about coming back. He's just gotta keep his head up. Roenick is just tough luck. Both will be back this season.

Matey asks: Who had the hardest shot you've ever faced?

Don Cherry: I have to say MacInnis had the hardest one. Orr had the hardest snapshot I ever saw, and Denis Potvin had the heaviest shot I ever saw.

joejal asks: Don, do you think the NHL should go back to a shorter calendar to have a more exiting season ?

Don Cherry: It's easy for people to talk about cutting the games down, but how are you gonna pay all the salaries? yeah, some of them are absolutely exhausted, it would be wonderful to get it down to 70, but how are you gonna pay the salaries?

blafleur asks: Hi Don, any thoughts as to the reason the Rangers have unachieved so much over the last few years, with such large names in the roster?

Don Cherry: There are a lot of reasons. It used to be with Boston, everyone who went there improved. Opposite with New York. Lots of guys are on long-term contracts, a lot of floaters on the club. But it's hard to figure, someone like Holik from Jersey becoming a floater.

ChrisO asks: Don, talk about the surge in women's rec league hockey - for those of us born too soon to play as kids who are living our dream now.

Don Cherry: Back in 1980 I got a call from Hazel McCallion (mayor of Mississauga) to go and watch. I was for women's hockey when it wasn't even fashionable. I could see they loved the game as much as the boys. It's great hockey to watch. If you're at a distance, you have a hard time telling the difference.

justsomeguy asks: Hello Mr. Cherry. A lot of folks don't know that you played in French Quebec, if only for a little while. What do you remember about your time in Trois Rivieres? (I think you remember it as Three Rivers)

Don Cherry: I had a great time. Say a guy got a great goal.. They used to pay the trainer $2 to get to the best guy in the game. I had a grand time, great place.

nick6 asks: Don, what do you make of the Ribeiro-Koivu situation in Montreal and did you ever have any players fighting each other?

Don Cherry: When I was with the Bruins I used to have players fighting. Mike Milbury and Terry O'Reilly... got into a fight in practice, broken noses. With Koivu and Ribeiro, they were just practicing, it was nothing.

Brad asks: Do you think there be a Heritage Classic again next year? If so, where do you think it will be?

Don Cherry: I thought it was just terrific, and nobody dreamed it would be that big. I think they'll have it, dunno where. I think somebody should do it, definitely.

Canophile asks: Don,what is the deal with so many in the NHL wanting higher scoring? The game is great the way it is. Why can't someone think up a way to market skill and grace like what is done for figure skating?

Don Cherry: Absolutely right. I remember 3-2, 2-1 games, great. It's like people who don't understand soccer, where a 1-0 game is a terrific game. American audiences maybe want to see goals, but that fellow is absolutely right. A low scoring game can be terrific.

Lethbridge asks: Do you think that the Flames should make a trade to try and get into the playoffs, or should they not change their chemistry?

Don Cherry: Who you gonna give up? Can't give up Iginla, or Conroy, or someone like that, and Sutter isn't going to give up drafts. I can't see them making a major trade.

Don Cherry: They've got a good shot, if their goaltender keeps up, they could be there.

joe asks: At any point in recent years, have you been close to, or considered coming back to coach?

Don Cherry: A long time ago when Hamilton was getting a franchise, I would have come back. That would have been fun. It's a shame they didn't get it. I can't come back now because I'm too great on television and radio and online.

leafsfan asks: Hi Don, do you think the Leafs should worry about getting Gonchar, or just focus on what they have?

Don Cherry: I don't mind Gonchar but they should get someone like a McCabe. Gonchar is minus-20, there's no doubt he can put the puck in the net, but they need a defensive defenceman.

Several people had fashion questions. Here's one: Where do you get your ties?

Don Cherry: I just get them as I see them. They're not $400 or anything like that. If I see one in a store that jumps out at me, I pick it up. It's gotta jump out at me. And I pay for everything too, by the way.

Oilersfan asks: Don. What do you think the Oilers should do to improve themselves. Do you see any bright spot for the future?

Don Cherry: Talk about a hard-luck club. Just when they get going guys get hurt. They need a sniper, but it's sad they're not going to get into the playoffs. They need somebody to put the puck in the net.

RIWhaler asks: Hey Don, do you think eliminating the instigator rule will prevent stick-swinging incidents, a la Matt Johnson/Matt Cooke?

Don Cherry: Absolutely. Watch Coach tonight. I said in '93, it would be open season on the stars. See cheap shots like on Bondra. One of the worst rules they've ever put in is the instigator rule. They're afraid to change it because of the media. The tree-huggers would say they're advocating fighting, but it wouldn't happen. The biggers guys would protect the younger guys.

scott1 asks: Ottawa's team depth is the best it's ever been. A lot are concerned about the goaltending. If Ottawa decides to pick up a goalie this late in the year, who would you recommend?

Don Cherry: I don't think they're gonna pick up anyone better than Lalime. They've gotta get his confidence back. If they're gonna go anywhere, Patrick's gonna take him there. They might consider Kolzig, though, and he wants to get outta there.

Maverick asks: Hey Don, I know you are a major junior supporter, but what advice would you give a player: major junior route or the NCAA route?

Don Cherry: If you want to get to the NHL and you're serious, you'll go junior because they put more players there than any other league in the world. Nothing wrong with college but it's not like junior. There's no question.

darrin asks: Don what is your opinion on the WHL making a comeback?

Don Cherry: We don't have enough players for the NHL, so I don't know where they're gonna get enough players. Maybe they could pick up some older guys, but I don't know how they're gonna form a league. People say the NHL has too many teams.

zack asks: What do you think about the Detroit golie situation?

Don Cherry: They're winning games with Manny, and Joseph is coming around. I think they've got a great 1-2 punch, it couldn't be much better.

Several people have asked who Don thinks is the best player in the NHL right now.

Don Cherry: Good question: Lang is doing the job in Washington, and he doesn't have many dice around him. Bertuzzi is great, but the guy I like is Iginla. He scores, he fights, he helps guys around him. I like Iginla.

Mike asks: What do you think of Corson coming back and signing with Dallas?

Don Cherry: Terrific. He's been working out and I think Corson could have been handled differently in Toronto. I think he's going to be great checking, blocking shots. I think he's hungry and has something to prove. Great idea bringing him back.

A lot of people want a Stanley Cup prediction.

Don Cherry: I'll go Detroit, Colorado semifinals, and I like Ottawa

Don Cherry: Toronto or Philly in the semis too. I'd love to see Boston, but I don't know if they can keep it up, but they're great to watch

Serge asks: Don how about Sidney Crosby coming to NHL in 2006 and possibilities to see him make the Olympic team?

Don Cherry: I like Sidney. Too bad about all the controvesy. He's the real deal and he'll do great in the NHL. A good playmaker.. he'll be there for 2006, he'll be there for sure.

NewfieChick asks: Who do you think the best goalie is for Toronto right now with Belfour's bad back and all. Telqvist is doing a great job for them. Do you think they should keep him around?

Don Cherry: I feel sorry for Kidd because he hasn't had much support. I'd go for Tellqvist now, but they'd better get Belfour back soon and wrap him in cotton batting. There's nothing worse for a goalie than a bad back.

Roy_or_Roi asks: Don do you think the Canucks need to make a trade in order to make it past the 2nd round in the playoffs? Can this team make it to the finals?

Hi everybody, we're going to take two more questions, then Don has to go.

Don Cherry: Definitely they can make it to the finals. I don't think they need more players, just get their act together. The big deal for them is, can Cloutier get his act together in the playoffs? He's a good goalie, he's the guy that's gotta do it.

TheMcCaber asks: Hockey analysts think penalty shootout during the regular season are inevitable. What do you think? Good thing or bad thing?

Don Cherry: Anything that makes the crowd interested, no harm in that. I don't mind the shootout.

Karissa_D asks: Don, what do you think about the NHL making it mandatory to wear visors?

Don Cherry: They will some day, there's no doubt about it. Within 3 or 4 years it's coming, but a lot of players can't stand them. Lots of juniors can't wait to take it off. What skin is it off people's noses if they want to take them off? But the tree huggers will win again.

Shags asks: Don, from what age should kids start playing to win?

Don Cherry: It's not bad for kids who play to win. It's when the coaches want to win, and that's the sad thing. I'm watching my grandson play, and the coach pulled a nine-year-old with minutes to go. That just boggles my mind. You play tiddly-winks, you want to win.

Thanks for your questions for Coach, everybody. We're getting Kelly on the stage now.

If you have already sent in a question for Kelly Hrudey, it would be a good idea to send it again when Kelly gets on the stage.

habs2004 asks: Kelly, Who was your major role model growing up?

Kelly Hrudey: I was a huge fan of all athletes, not just hockey players. I had a Sports Illustrated subscription growing up. I didn't really just focus on hockey. I was a huge football fan, so Tony Dorsett was huge for me, and in hockey, Bernie Parent.

StansteadGrad asks: Kelly Do you think Marc-Andre Fleury was given a fair shot and was handled properly this year?

Kelly Hrudey: He was given a fair shot, no question about that. And he was handled properly. He was their best goalie, and they played him. But the wins were tough to come by and they certainly made the right choice in sending him back.

Paul T asks: Kelly, do you really think that cutting the goalie pads down 2 inches is going to solve the league goal scoring slump?

Hold on, folks. We're making a few adjustments!

RonV65Sabre asks: Kelly, we all know an NHL career can be a cup of coffee to 20 years or more. How much do you think this affects the pressure to make so much money so fast that it becomes all encompasing.

Kelly Hrudey: I don't think that matters to the pressure the guys feel. Money is a component in negotiations but players worry about wins and losses and staying healthy. They don't really worry about making a pile of cash right now. They're just focused on the game.

Duey asks: What do you think of the goaltending situation in Vancouver, do you think that Cloutier has it in him to go the distance?

Kelly Hrudey: I definitely think he has what it takes. He continues to improve every year. The only thing that will stop the naysayers is to take the Canucks to the third round or finals. That would take the pressure off. The people who criticize him don't see him play much, they only see clips.

Kv1 asks: Kelly, what do you think of the possibility of guys like Modano playing in Europe in the event there is a lockout?

Kelly Hrudey: I wouldn't expect too many North Americans to play, a few might, but it would be more the European guys. Basically they'd be going home. In the '94 lockout just a few North Americans went over there.

Tom asks: What is your opinion on restricting the Goaltenders handling of the puck?

Kelly Hrudey: I don't expect that one to be ratified. I can't imagine the administrators ratifying something that radical. I think you have to think of the defencemen and the likelihood they could be injured without goalies helping them out.

Shaun From Timmins asks: Kelly, What do you think about the goaltending situation in Montreal. Theodore and Garon are both strong goaltenders. Do you think they've had the proper chance to develop in Montreal and maybe help the Canadiens down the road?

Kelly Hrudey: Absolutely. That's a very good combination and Garon has a good chance of becoming a top-notch goaltender. I don't believe in rushing goalies. It's like Theodore a few years ago.

Duey asks: If you were to point out the biggest difference in a dressing room of a winning team compared to a losing team what would it be?

Kelly Hrudey: Probably the expectations you have in the locker room.

Kelly Hrudey: Good teams demand strong play from everyone, no weak links. Teams who are losing fall into the mindset of something bad will happen. They don't have the mindset to overcome that negative feeling like strong teams do.

Brad asks: What goalies do you think Canada will roster for the World Cup?

Kelly Hrudey: The three guys who stand out are Brodeur, Luongo and Theodore. But two others too: Patrick Lalime would have been in that boat if he wasn't inconsistent this year, but if the Sens do well, that could change. If Vancouver could do well, maybe Dan Cloutier.

GrapesFan asks: Kelly, What is the most annoying/effective way a player can interfere with a goalie without getting called most of the time?

Kelly Hrudey: Probably hit the goalie on the top of the goalie stick. That's hard for the ref to see.. we've seen Ryan Smyth do that a few times this year.

J. Miller asks: What's the main difference between Canadian hockey players and US hockey players?

Kelly Hrudey: I find them really similar, actually. I am really noticing, though, that kids from the States are really highly skilled and some of them are better skaters than the Canadians. They've really changed and learned from the level of passion that Canadians bring to the game. But it's hard to argue against the Canadian guy who plays on pure old heart.

chicago fire sale asks: Do you think the Blackhawks' owner actually has a plan?

Kelly Hrudey: Of course he has a plan. One, to make money and to save money. The one thing about Chicago, though, they've been without their top goalie for the whole season. They have so many guys who should be in the minors they can't hope for success. They have a lot of good guys who need time, and in time they could be a good team.

Penguin asks: The stats seem to indicate that NHL goalies are better now than they were twenty years ago, do you think this is true or are the stats due to some other facet of the game that has changed?

Kelly Hrudey: I don't think there's any question that that is true. But in fairness, the game is a whole lot different than it was 20 years ago. Coaching, defensive systems have changed, and now goalies are the most dominant players in the game.

adam asks: Kelly, do you believe one day Brian Boucher will be able to put an entire season together like he did in that 5 game stretch?

Kelly Hrudey: He's an interesting guy. When he started with Philly, it looked as though he was gonna be one of the next top guys. Then he struggled with inconsistency, then the shutout streak. But now it's back to being a battle in the net every time out.

Jordan asks: Who do you think will win the Calder Trophy? I like that Ryder kid.

Kelly Hrudey: Actually I think Andrew Raycroft will. I like Ryder, but Raycroft has proven he's not some young kid who will play well two months then fade away. He's as good as any goalie out there.

A lot of questions about the Toronto goaltender situation. What's the short-term answer with Belfour out. How many more seasons does Belfour have in him?

Kelly Hrudey: I wouldn't bank on Belfour being a top goalie past next season, with his age. When you get to be that age, the falloff isn't gradual, it happens quickly. With the Leafs, Kidd and Tellqvist should play well enough until Eddie's healthy enough to get back in net. But only the Leafs know how badly he's injured.

Brayden asks: Kelly, what do you think Calgary should do with their 3-goalie situation right now?

One more question, folks, and then Kelly has to move on for his Hockey Day duties.

Kelly Hrudey: They're in a really difficult position. Turek is a well-paid guy with a no-trade clause. To move him isn't simple. It's clear the Flames like Kiprusoff and want to go with him. But people should know Turek is one heck of a person, and the way he's been treated has affected him. But it's obvious that, if Calgary had the chance, they'd move Roman.

jonesy asks: What is the greatest/coolest thing you have ever gotten to do as part of your job?

Kelly Hrudey: I would have to say meeting some of the celebrities I've been able to. Because growing up you think you'll never meet them, especially the ones who have that special aura about them. The coolest were Bruce Springsteen, Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn, Sylvester Stallone, Jim Carrey, and Mel Gibson. That was when I was in L.A.

That's all, folks. Thanks for your questions for Kelly. You can read Kelly's opinions every week online on our Behind the Mask feature at cbc.ca/hockey.