The Blues realized they would have a really young supporting cast behind their high-salaried veterans this season.

This was all part of the master plan, designed to build an enduring winner over the long haul.

But who knew they would get to test so many kids so soon?

Saturday night saw rookies Ben Bishop and Marek Schwarz combine for a shutout against the visiting Panthers. This was a big night for both; Bishop reaffirmed his top prospect status and Schwarz continued his redemption from a terrible 2007-08 season.

Manny Legace (strained hip flexor) and Chris Mason (appendectomy) shouldn’t be sidelined for too much longer, but John Davidson, Larry Pleau and Doug Armstrong had to like what they saw from the rookies this weekend.

(If the Blues need still another goaltender, it would be Chris Holt. He stepped up from Alaska of the ECHL and defeated Lake Erie 5-2 Saturday night in Peoria.)

Early season defensive injuries allowed top pick Alex Pietrangelo to open the season in the NHL and both Steve Wagner and Roman Polak to get lots of work.

Injuries also gave Chris Porter an early look up front. T.J. Oshie and Patrik Berglund have earned regular scoring-line work.

All these youngsters have impressed. Perhaps the only negative early on was Jonas Junland’s shoulder injury, but working his way back in the AHL won’t be the worst thing for him.

The Blues have enjoyed a solid start because Keith Tkachuk, Brad Boyes, Andy McDonald and Paul Kariya have started well. But the most heartening news is the progress of the kids – since they are the foundation for what this organization is trying to build.

AROUND THE RINKS: Stars defenseman Sergei Zubov is eligible to return on Nov. 1 and Dallas hopes he will be ready soon after. He has resumed practicing after recovering from hip surgery . . . Stars coach Dave Tippett sounds ready to strangle goaltender Marty Turco. “The goals against is a joke right now,” Tippett told the Dallas Morning News. “There are a lot of guilty parties out there. You have to evaluate your personnel, how they are playing, who is making mistakes. It is not the way we do things around here, to have to score seven goals to win.” And here is where he nailed Turco: “You can’t have an .820 save percentage and survive in this league.” Ouch . . . The Senators will keep their options open in goal until Martin Gerber proves he can handle the starting load . . . The Blackhawks are happy they held onto Nikolai Khabibulin, who continues to outplay Cristobal Huet . . . The Wild continues to shop oft-injured winger Marian Gaborik . . . Free agent Mats Sundin continues to tease NHL general managers, giving hints that he wants to return to the league . . . Top overall pick Steve Stamkos seemed to be in ideal situation in Tampa Bay, playing the No. 2 center role behind Vincent Lecavalier for an offensive-minded coach in Barry Melrose. But he has struggled from Day One of the season, putting Melrose on the spot. If Stamkos was a can’t-miss kid – the experts all agreed on that – then why is he missing? Meanwhile, unheralded prospect Kris Versteeg has worked his way onto the top Chicago line with Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews . . . The injury bug bit hard in the East, where Devils center Brian Rolston (high ankle sprain) and Daniel Briere (abdominal strain) will miss significant time . . . With Jeff Woywitka, Jonas Junland and Andy Wozniewski at Peoria, the Blues have sufficient defensive depth. The Blues managed to get Woywitka through waivers, which was somewhat surprises. If this depth holds up for the next few weeks, the Blues could be more inclined to ship Pietrangelo back to junior hockey.