Blues goaltender Manny Legace isn’t mad that experts pick the Blues to finish dead last in the Western Conference.

“I love it,” he said Wednesday during an interview with Hockey Guy on “The Sports Edge” on KFNS. “There’s no pressure on the young guys. We’re picked to finish last. The guys can just out and play. There are no expectations.

“Putting a lot of expectations on a young team can really backfire.”

What does he think of the retooled Blues?

“Obviously a lot of young players,” he said. “A lot more energy. You can never tell by the preseason, you’re playing against so-so lineups. But I love the energy.”

We know the Blues developed some interesting scoring combinations during the preseason, finding good ways to use rookies Patrik Berglund and T.J. Oshie. “I could care less what goes on at the other end of the ice,” Legace quipped.

He is more concerned about the defense, which lost cornerstone Erik Johnson for the year.

The Blues almost must replace Bryce Salvador, traded before the deadline last season, and Matt Walker, a free-agent casualty. Youngsters Steve Wagner and Roman Polak must take big steps this season.

Veterans Barret Jackman, Eric Brewer and Jay McKee must log big minutes while cutting down on mistakes. They need to play up to their big contracts.

For the record, Legace doesn’t mind sharing the netminding with newcomer Chris Mason. “It’s very important, especially in the West with all the travel, to have two goalies going,” he said.

As for top netminding prospect Ben Bishop . . .

“Ben is a great kid,” he said. “He’s so big. If he were a forward, he would be up here already. He has the head for it. Goaltenders have to get a little more seasoning.

“He’s so big. He really fills the net. I wish I were half his size. I come up to his belly button.”

Hockey Guy believes in Legace, who is the third goaltender on two of my fantasy hockey teams. For more fantasy stuff, check this out.

AROUND THE RINKS: Yahoo! Sports hockey columnist Ross McKeon notes that top prospects Darren Helm, Ville Leino and Jonathan Ericsson are talented to make any NHL team but the loaded Red Wings, which had to send them back to Grand Rapids of the AHL. General manager Ken Holland is willing to explore deals, because he also has Chris Chelios, Darren McCarty and young goaltender Jimmy Howard on injured reserve. Where does put them all? . . . The Blackhawks are busy getting Nikolia Khabibulin in shape after failing to relocate him. For now, he and Cristobal Huet will make up the most expensive goalie tandem in the league . . . Kyle McLaren, a cap casualty in San Jose, was assigned to Worcester. Expect the Blues to monitor the situation, since McLaren would offer an upgrade over the team’s current veteran depth . . . Brendan Shanahan appeared to be nearing a deal with the Rangers, which would officially kill the dreams of some nostalgic Blues fan . . . The Blues feel good about their kids, but they may not match the progress Phoenix is making. Coach Wayne Gretzky has Kyle Turris, the third overall pick in 2007, centering Shane Doan and ruffian Daniel Carcillo. Newcomer Olli Jokinen is working with up-and-comer Peter Mueller and top prospect Mikkel Boedker. Another stud rookie, Viktor Tikhonov, could play with Daniel Winnik and Martin Hanzal . . . Elsewhere on the kid front, look for Oscar Moller to make a mark this year, especially if he sticks on a line with Jarret Stoll and Alexander Frolov . . . Peoria, the Blues’ AHL affiliate, is a little short on defensive depth. So the team welcomed Ivan Vishnevski on loan from the Dallas Stars. The team also picked up veteran NHL winger Jeff Cowan from the Canucks on a loan. Don’t be shocked if the Blues try to acquire his contract, though; coach Andy Murray had him with the Kings.