PHOENIX - The Blues are 0-2 since returning home from Sweden, and in the wake of the back-to-back losses to Atlanta and LA, the team’s trend of starting slow has been magnified.

Blues coach Andy Murray had a meeting with his players this morning…

On Wednesday, Blues defenseman Erik Johnson heard the words that he’s been waiting to hear for many months.

After missing the 2008-09 season with a torn ACL in his right knee, he’s finally cleared to return to the ice for all hockey activity.

“I…

Blues forward Keith Tkachuk has signed a one-year, $2.15 million contract extension. Read Tkachuk’s comments in tomorrow’s Post-Dispatch.

JR

Blues veteran Keith Tkachuk received a contract offer from the club this week, and after some back-and-forth talks, an agreement could be reached as soon as today.

“I don’t want to get into it until it’s finally done,” Tkachuk said today. “We’ll…

Blues forward Andy McDonald and other players conduct media interviews before cleaning out their lockers.

As they met for the final time in the 2008-09 season recently, Blues players had plenty of thoughts about the way their season ended in the first round…

Davidson interview cont’d . . .

Q: Based on what Chris Mason did this season, do you look at him as the Blues’ No. 1 goaltender heading into next season?

JD: “Well if ‘Mase’ plays the way he played in the second half, he’ll…

The Blues’ locker room wasn’t a jovial place late Wednesday night, but it wasn’t as depressing as its been after some regular-season losses this year.

As head coach Andy Murray said afterwards, “This game was about encouragement rather than discouragement. The first…

Blues coach Andy Murray hasn’t been thrilled with the play of the team’s youngsters lately, specifically Patrik Berglund, T.J. Oshie and David Perron.

“To be very honest with you, our young kids have to play better,” Murray said. ”I don’t think our young kids…

The Blues’ coaching staff had two points of emphasis for today’s late-afternoon practice.

1. Net coverage: In Saturday’s 5-4 OT loss at Dallas, the Blues didn’t protect the area in front of goalie Chris Mason.

“We were working on being better in front of our…