Davidson says he will not be in goal for the Blue Jackets next season.

"Right now I would do everything possible to avoid playing Detroit," says Davidson. "Even though Colorado, Dallas and Detroit are all great teams, it seems to me Detroit is on the very top of their game."

Davidson, in an online chat on ESPN.com, NHL.com and ABCSports.com, said that Detroit also has the advantage of being rested going into round two.

"Detroit won in four, Colorado in five and Dallas won in five," says Davidson. "They all will be rested and have had a chance to get healthy. St. Louis will not have that opportunity."

In case you missed Davidson's April 23 chat, the following is an edited transcript.

steve44: Do you think the Pens have a chance after their upset victory over Washington?

John Davidson: Steve, it will be very tough but not impossible. Philly will try to use Chris Therien against Jagr. If Jagr gets the puck, Philly will put two men on him. No doubt Jagr is the key for Pittsburgh. The question is, "Can he stay physically strong the entire series?"

Kurt Stump; Coldwater, MI: If St. Louis manages to beat San Jose, does that diminish their chances against Detroit (because of a seven game series in the first round)?

John Davidson: Kurt, you make a great point. Detroit won in four, Colorado in five and Dallas won in five. They all will be rested and have had a chance to get healthy. St Louis will not have that opportunity. Also, St. Louis has to travel and that beats your body up.

Colin MacArthur, Tyne Valley: Who do you think will win the Cup this year? And is Doug Gilmour still going to be good next year?

John Davidson: Colin, here we are on Easter Sunday, and you've asked me to make a choice. I would take Detroit. Detroit will be rested and can play a game any way you want. Fast, offensive, tough, defensive, any way you want. But the Cup is a long way away for everyone.

JUSTIN M MACKENZIE: John, can you explain how the Philadelphia Flyers have been so successful without their captain and coach in the first round?

John Davidson: Justin, the Flyers seem to be a very content team right now. Under Craig Ramsey as the head coach, the Flyers are now playing four lines. The players love the ice time balance they are getting. They all play 13-15 minutes each and that has created a lot of harmony. I still feel they need Eric Lindros to be able to win it all. He will not be back until the third round at the earliest.

John Davidson: Ryan, there is still always the chance Eric will be with the Flyers next season. My guess is that L.A. is a team that could use his style of play and his name to sell tickets. The question is who would go the other way? Could it possibly be Rob Blake?

Brian Wheeler: John, Many people ask me what the point is in fighting in hockey. They think it's more of a factor than it really is. If a novice asks you what the purpose of an enforcer is, what do you say to them?

John Davidson: Brian, a good enforcer is a player who can be dependable on the ice as a player and also be tough and mean enough to nullify the opposition's players from taking advantage of your best players. An example would be Chris Simon and George Laraque.

Don Hill-Cleveland OH: Any truth to the rumor that John Davidson will be playing goal for the expansion Columbus Blue Jackets next season?

John Davidson: Hey Don, are you nuts? Thanks for the mention. Rick Wamsley, former NHL goaltender, is scouting for the Blue Jackets. He will work with GM Doug McLean on who they pick in the expansion draft.

Jason Howes: John, What do you think the Oilers were missing in there first round loss to the Stars?

John Davidson: Jason, with the injuries Edmonton had to people like Mike Grier, the Oilers had trouble with the depth of the Dallas forward lines. Doug Weight played very well against Mike Modano, but throughout the forward lines Dallas was deeper.

Ryan Young: What do you think would be a better matchup in the West, Colorado and Detroit or Colorado and Dallas? And how important is home ice in these series?

John Davidson: Ryan, right now I would do everything possible to avoid playing Detroit. Even though Colorado, Dallas and Detroit are all great teams, it seems to me Detroit is on the very top of their game. Chris Osgood has been a question mark at times but as you saw in round one, no one was better. They won the series in a sweep and Steve Yzerman is yet to score.

trevor mehl: Hey John, Happy Easter to everybody at ABC! What happened to Patrick Marleau? Is he hurt, or what?

John Davidson: Trevor, Patrick Marleau is a good offensive player. But head coach Darryl Sutter does not think Marleau is dependable defensively. In game two Marleau played and was a minus-2.

Rich Petre: Why do you hate the Buffalo Sabres?

John Davidson: Hey Rich, do me a favor and grow up. I have a great deal of respect for Lindy Ruff, Doug Gilmour, Michael Peca, Dominik Hasek and others. They did not have a great offensive series against Philadelphia, but I hope they keep their team together for next season. The deals they made at the deadline I believe were good ones.

andrew: Do you think the Coyotes will trade Khabibulin?

John Davidson: Andrew, with new ownership being put into place, I belive Khabibulin will be re-signed to play in Phoenix. He is without a doubt a world-class goaltender. I also hope with new ownership that the heart and soul of the Coyotes, Keith Tkachuk stays in Phoenix where he belongs.