Dave: Jeff,

With all the GM's that have decided not to throw big money at some of the marginal free agents, how long before the player's union starts to scream collusion again?

Jeff Gordon: Enough money got tossed around to eliminate that concern. Collusion requires orchestrated effort. I think we're just seeing common sense prevailing for a change.

Ryan: It's early, but - any word on who's looking real solid in camp right now (fielding, hitting, or overall effort) among the following roster hopefuls:
Barton
Rasmus
Phelps
Ryan
Schumaker
?

Jeff Gordon: There were interesting early stories on Schumaker's hard work in the offseason and on Ryan's need to tread a bit more softly in the big league clubhouse. But the real fun is about to start.

So far all the news about the position players has been encouraging. It's the pitchers who all need more time to get ready . . .

Kyle: Hey Jeff,

Thanks for taking my question or perhaps questions...

Do you think Boyes has what it takes to come alive again and put this team on his shoulders and take them down the stretch with a respectable push or has he plateaued this season? Secondly, who do you think is worth more to this organization moving forward past the trade deadline, Jackman (and his lack-luster all-around play in a contract 'option' year) or Salvador (and his downside on the offensive side of the puck)? Third, do you think Perron was 'punished' per say by Murray for his tenacious play early in the first period of last night's game by limiting his ice time? What does that mean for the dynamics of a team that will put increasing pressure on it's prospects to maintain their talent prowess and be expected to perform for this team in every game they're in the line-up?

Jeff Gordon: I don't mind Murray's unyielding approach to the young Blues. In Perron's case, he reached the NHL after playing just one productive year of major junior hockey. He beat long odds to get this far this quickly -- and he still has to get stronger. Stuff like grabbing the puck and heaving it down the ice doesn't really help.

Boyes has reached his potential. He has become a 30-goal player, which is a heck of a step. I see him as a Cory Stillman-type, a good additional scorer but not a perennial all-star. He is a very nice player, but not a high-end scorer.

Jackman hasn't played well for Murray. It's that simple. He hasn't been great with the puck and fast skaters turn the corner on him. I would not give him, say, $14 million over four years. I'd keep Salvador, deal McKee and line up Woywitka, Polak and Wagner to play next season.

Fabian: Hey Jeff, there has been a lot of talk about not wasting money on "marginal" free agents and spending wisely. There has also been a lot of talk about the class of free agents coming up at the end of this season. I think a lot of people are willing to give the organization the benefit of the doubt, and believe that the club will finally have an active winter. That being said I heard that the Yankees have in the neighborhood of 86 million in contracts expiring at the end of the season. SO we KNOW that there aren't afraid to overspend for free agents, don't you think its more than likely that we are going to be on the short end of it again this winter? And once agian Dewitt will have an excuse not to spend.

Jeff Gordon: DeWitt is never going to outbid the Yankees, Red Sox, Mets or Dodgers for players. That won't happen. Could the Cards buy some players after seeing where they stand this season? Sure. But something like the Santana contract won't happen here.

That is why he has directed Mozeliak to focus on player development. That is why the team wants to see what Duncan, Ankiel, Rasmus, Reyes, Thompson, Ryan, Garcia, Perez, et al can do. That is why the Cards didn't package up a bunch of players for veteran help.

I can't argue with that approach, as long as the Cards follow the Molina deal with long-term deals to lock in Wainwright and (if they hit this year) Duncan and Ankiel.

KW: Gordo,

Do you think the NHL has reached that point in the evolution of the 'new' rules implemented in 2005 where the referees are migrating away from what defined the game of the 'New NHL' to one that's more characteristic of a pre-lockout style of play? I say this because I think there's several recent instances or behaviors that support this, a few of which are: league-wide escalation of increased obstruction on the forechecking player off the dump in; the completely missed call of Giguere playing the puck inside the corner goal line area in Friday night's game and the lifting of the stick by Stempniak in front of the Anaheim goal (whereas the opposing player was not in a position to score or move the puck to scoring position) where he clearly displayed an effort to generate offensive play. Regardless of these specific examples, I'd appreciate your opinion on the evolution of play in it's current state as it relates to the league's expressed objectives.

Thanks for your time Jeff...

Jeff Gordon: I believe the officials are still trying to call obstruction penalties. But there are so many really close games. Look how many games are going to OT and the shootout. I believe a lot of these referees are shying away from deciding games with their calls. This is a natural tendency, one we saw in the NHL forever.

The league is just so close now, with so many teams fighting for playoff spots in hard-fought games. It's like the playoffs have already started.