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 of the playoffs. Several of them also looked ahead to next year, which they insist is shaping up to be a promising season. Below are interviews with a few of the Blues as they headed home for the offseason:

Andy McDonald

On the Blues’ belief system after making the playoffs: “There was certainly a lot of learning experiences for everyone. The younger players went through a lot this year, dealing with injuries and guys having to play big roles. And with our backs against the wall in the second half, not being able to lose one or two games, there was a lot to learn from. You can’t ask for any more from that standpoint.”

On the transition to left wing: “I’ve played wing before. It’s fine . . . I’ve obviously got more experience at center, but you’ve got to play where the team needs you. There’s not that much difference (between the positions). I think there’s a little bit more responsibility in the middle defensively, but there’s a lot of switching on the ice anyhow. Wherever the team needs you. That’s a decision for the coaching staff. I feel comfortable at wing. I feel comfortable at center. So, wherever they need me to fit in.”

On many fans underestimating the return of Paul Kariya next season: “Yeah, obviously that was a big hole for us, missing him a large part of the season, I guess the whole season . . . he only played 11 games. Eric Brewer, too. Two key guys that we really didn’t have. This team, it’s exciting. I think this team’s got a lot of potential. Hopefully our young players learned a lot this year. This is a good team in here. I’m really excited about next year and I’m looking forward to coming back. From Day One, it should be about winning the Stanley Cup . . . not just about making the playoffs.”

On the team’s decision to bring Keith Tkachuk back next season: “Yeah, that just speaks for itself. He wants to be a part of it. He sees what this team is capable of. It would be great to have him back. He does so much for this hockey team. He’s certainly the voice in the locker room, and we really counted on him down the stretch to push guys and pick guys up. You need that and it would be great to have him back.”

Keith Tkachuk

On the Blues’ season: “It’s pretty remarkable. Obviously, we’re disappointed not to still be playing, but what we accomplished this year, with all the adversity, to get into the playoffs was pretty special. You can take a lot of positives out of that. I’ve never seen anything like it to be honest with you. There were just so many things not going our way at the beginning of the year, and to battle through it and not give up, showed a lot of good character from the players in this locker room and the coaches . . . everybody sticking together and believing in each other was good.”

On the Vancouver series being a sweep, despite how tight the games were: “It was really weird what happened . . . to lose out all four games when they were all tight games . . . it could have went either way. I still don’t think we played our best, but obviously the special teams caught up to us and crushed us.”

On learning a lot from the “kids” this season: “Hopefully I taught them some things, but I learned a lot from watching them practice and watching them play . . . how skilled they are. It’s just amazing to compare them to when I was a kid. It’s not even close . . . the skill level. Not only on our team, but across the league. We’ve got some special kids. I think this process, this whole learning experience in the playoffs, will make these guys better.”

On the one thing he tried to teach the kids: “To compete every night. They’re a big part of this team, they’re not just guys you put in the lineup and (say), ‘Good luck.’ These are guys that played major roles. T.J. Oshie on the penalty kill was unbelievable and he had some scary goals this year. Patrik Berglund was on the power play and scored some big goals. David Perron (grew) leaps and bounds, especially in the playoffs, when he played a lot better and competed harder. Roman Polak, not used to playing that many minutes, still a young kid, was a shutdown defensemen for us. David Backes had a great year and he’s going to be a solid player for us for years to come.”

On whether or not he’ll be back with the Blues: “We’ll see what happens, but I’d like to be a part of it. Hopefully one of these days I’ll sit down with Larry (Pleau) and see if they’re interested in having me back. We’ve come a long way the past couple of years and I want to be a part of that next big step. Hopefully we can challenge for the Stanley Cup next year. I think I can play another year at the level I think I can play at. I’d like to do it here.”

On whether he’d be willing to play on the third or fourth line next season: “Absolutely. I think I showed that this year, because I played most of the year on the third and fourth line and I had no problems with that. I realize I’m getting older and I’m going to have to challenge the coach to keep playing me, but knowing I have to let some of these other kids play. I understand that. I have no problems with that. I’m going to make it hard for (the Blues) if I’m back. I want to force them to play me more. But I know I’m going to have to play center if I come back and play on the third and fourth line, and that’s OK with me, as long as we win.”

Brad Winchester

On his success with the Blues this season: “Coming into a new team, I was able to come in and really had a chance to grow my game.”

On his decision to re-sign with the Blues next season: “It’s a great organization and it’s a great room. Certainly, we did some really good things here. Honestly, I haven’t thought about (the contract) too much. So, we’ll deal with it as it comes.”

Dan Hinote

On his playoff moustache: “It was terrible (laughing). It was in my mouth all the time, food getting caught in it . . . it was ugly . . . I scared little kids at the grocery store. But it was fun. I can’t really grow a beard very well, but I wanted to grow something to get the playoff mentality going. That was the  ugliest thing I could come up with. It took me forever to shave it because it was so thick. I had to use a straight-edge, so it took me like a half-hour to get it off. It was sad to see it go.”

On how remarkable the Blues’ season was: “It was awesome. I think it’s hard to compare my years in Colorado because we were always favorites and had really good teams. This team was put together basically through waivers and injuries and stuff like that. Everyone wrote us off and why wouldn’t you? In January, we were in last place. Then all of the sudden, we got really tight. A bunch of us with nothing to lose . . . and we came together and became one of the best second-half teams in the NHL.”

On the possibility of returning next season: “I don’t know what their plans are, but I’d love to be back here. Depending on what they have planned for the future with my role, yeah I’d love to be back here.”

On what he has left to offer: “I would hope that they would realize that. Whether it’s penalty-killing or leadership, playing the fourth-line role defensively, there’s still a lot I can bring to the table.”

Mike Weaver

On emerging as an unexpected contributor on defense: “It’s nice to be recognized, but really I haven’t done anything different than I’ve done in the past. Every time I have an opportunity, I try and prepare myself to play my best and that’s what happened. There was an opportunity there and I took it and ran with it.”

On the key to being steady and not making any mistakes: “Obviously you want to stay even-keel. Even if you have a bad shift, one thing I always do . . . I think about it later. If I make a mistake, hey, there’s no sense in thinking about now. I always think about it later. After the game is time to think about that stuff. With me, keeping it simple and just moving the puck. My job is to move the puck, not to score goals. Obviously from the points, you can see that. With me, I try to keep it steady.”

On the possibility of returning next season: “St. Louis is an awesome place, the fans are awesome and the team is great. It’s a team of the future. It would be great to be a part of that. With each organization I go to, it just seems that if things don’t work out during the year, I’m a quick fix. I’m an easy move for them. More or less, it’s up to them.”

On being OK with the role of a No. 5-6 defensemen: “If I’m the 5-6 guy here, I’d be fine with that. I just don’t want to be a depth guy, a guy that IF injuries happen, you’re in. If they are looking for me to be in the lineup on a consistent basis, I’m all for that.”

Jay McKee

On playing Game 4 with a shoulder injury: “I was able to get through the game. We added some medicine to the shoulder to help that out. But it was wearing off a bit. It would have been real tough for me to (play) in double-overtime to be honest with you.”

On the Blues’ season: “I think the thing that really sticks out in my mind is that we set the standard for next year. Nothing less than the way we played in the second half should be acceptable. When I first got here, the team was 30th in the league and to see it bounce back in a couple of years was great. When I first got here, I think losing was a little more accepted. Now, we certainly set the standard . . . young guys know and old guys know the expectations are where we finished off this year. That’s where they should be and I hope they are.”

On being a big part next year: “I think every player, when he finishes the season, he goes into the offseason with a game plan of how he wants to be stronger. This summer for me is about going at the legs harder than I have in the past and try and work on quickness. I’ve had a couple of summers away from what I was typically doing because of the pelvic injury. That’s going to be my main focus, coming back in great shape and working hard on the lower body.”

JR