Injuries forced the Blues to really push their young defensemen this season - the results have been most impressive.

Let’s look at the progress made:

Roman Polak, 22: He’s about to return from the injured list, which is very good news for the Note. His robust play was a difference maker this season. In his first 44 games, he averaged 21 ½ minutes of playing time. He wasn’t penalty-prone and his minus-5 rating wasn’t bad for a team that wasn’t great at even strength. This kid hits a ton and his puck skills are better than advertised.

Tyson Strachan, 24: This Hurricanes draft pick came into the organization as a depth guy and worked his way into the NHL. He has been solid defensively, good with the puck and willing to drop the gloves as needed. Unusual circumstances gave him an opportunity here and he is making the most of it.

BTW, here is his old prospect profile from the folks at Hockey’s Future.

Steve Wagner, 24: He was fabulous early last year before he leveled off, went down to Peoria and suffered a broken leg. He had to work his way back up the ladder. Injuries gave him another chance this season and he has done enough to stay on the radar screen.

Also, the Blues really found something in 26-year-old Carlo Colaiacovo. Hockey Guy wasn’t optimistic when this team acquired him from Toronto, but he has added desperately needed skill at the blue line.

This deal could pay off the way the Dennis Wideman-Brad Boyes deal panned out. If Carlo continues to add offense (14 points in the New Year) and a power-play presence, he will make it easier for the Blues to ease top ‘08 pick Alex Pietrangelo into the mix next season.

Barret Jackman’s maturation brightens the future, too. He is playing 23:22 per game, the most in his career, and providing more consistency. He is plus-2 this month.

When Erik Johnson and Eric Brewer returning next season, the growth of Polak, Strachan, Wagner and Colaiacovo will put the Blues in great shape. And when you consider the long-range potential of Pietrangelo, Ian Cole (at Notre Dame), Jonas Junland (at Peoria) and Kristoffer Berglund (in Sweden), the organization has serious strength on the blue line.

MOCKING IRON MIKE

Flames coach Mike Keenan tried to get into the head of Canucks defenseman Willie Mitchell by claiming he uses an illegal stick. Mitchell’s response was priceless.

Hockey Guy can’t wait for Keenan to wash out of the playoffs this spring.

AROUND THE RINKS: Against all odds, Peter Forsberg is hurt again. His comeback in Sweden hit a snag, forcing him to once again ponder retirement. He and Eric Lindros should get together, open a sports bar somewhere and festoon the place with old MRIs and X-rays . . . The Blues gave up on the Incredible Disappearing Charles Linglet, dealing him away to the Oilers. Once upon a time, he appeared poised to get his crack at the NHL after a 31-goal season for the Rivermen . . . The fun continues in Montreal. Not only did the Habs tell Alexei Kovalev to stay home from this current road trip, the club sent Sergei Kostitsyn to the AHL . . . The Tampa Tribune notes that defenseman Paul Ranger may be done for the season . . . The relentless Eklund at HockeyBuzz makes an interesting point about the Red Wings moving players like, say, Mikael Samuelsson. Locking in core players will be a challenge and the Winged Wheel has some excellent prospects on the cusp. Turnover in the rich supporting may be inevitable . . . Also, HockeyBuzz is pushing a wild concept: The Penguins moving Evgeni Malkin for winger Ilya Kovalchuk. While that would allow Jordan Staal to move into his natural No. 2 center role, Hockey Guy would argue that Malkin, not Sidney Crosby, is the best center in hockey. Sid the Kid is spectacular, but Malkin is a beast with skill.