Jeremy Rutherford: There were a couple of big wins this week: a 5-4 over Boston and 2-0 over Chicago. I'm sure we'll talk about those and whatever other questions you have. Let's get rolling . . .

Ryan H: JR,

Great game against the Bruins, definitely the kind of game that a young team can rally around. Speaking of the youngsters, I was looking at some stats this morning and saw an intriguing trend. Our top 4 players in +/- rating are part of our "young core". Especially impressive is Berglund at + 14 and Oshie at +6 and Perron at +4. While our "veteran core" is at the bottom, most notably Boyes at -23, Brewer at -14, and Tkachuk at -13.

I was wondering what you thought of this. Do you feel it's because the kids are being somewhat sheltered(not playing against top lines, and getting more time on the pp then the pk). If so how do you explain that boyes has such a bad rating when he's on the 1st pp line and doesnt usually kill penalties? I know he needs to get better defensively, but while watching a game I do not notice him on the ice during goals, but every game he seems to be out there for at least 2 of them. It's obvious the kids are playing responsible 2-way hockey, but I was wondering what you thought on the subject?

Any way you cut it, it's definitely a welcomed trend and a sight to cherish, that the young kids are leading the team in this very important category.

Jeremy Rutherford:
There's a couple of reasons for this.

1) Berglund, Perron and Oshie are responsible defensively
2) They like to hold onto the puck and cycle it, and the more they have the puck, the less time the opponent has it, which limits scoring chances.
3) The young Blues aren't matched against the other team's top line very often.

Rick Bruns: Given the fact that it is far fetched to think that the Blues are a playoff bound team this year, do you think that is is possible the Blues are holding Andy McDonald out until February 2nd which will allow him to miss 30 games and thereby collect insurance, which if I am pro-rating his salary correctly and take off the five percent deductable still is over $1,175,000?

Jeremy Rutherford:
I wouldn't put any stock in that. If McDonald were healthy last week, he would have played. Also, the team can only collect insurance on five of their players, and I'm not sure McDonald is one of them.

Barclay Beekman: Jeremy,

Thanks for all the coverage, look forward to seeing you again.

My question is about Perron, he obviously has amazing talent and I think he will be an allstar in the coming years. But I have noticed that he is knocked down quite a bit. Is this mostly because he needs to bulk up a little and get stronger or is he doing his best Jeff Courtnall impression and diving alot.

Thanks
Barclay

Jeremy Rutherford:
Howdy Barc . . . hope you're doing well.

I don't know if Perron gets knocked off the puck a lot. Maybe a little more than the other forwards. He definitely added some muscle over the summer, and he could probably better himself with a little more muscle. Obviously we've got to keep in mind that he's 20 years old, so his body will develop over the next couple of years. It's hard to find a skillful player from Muscle Beach who won't get knocked off the puck. Pavel Datsyuk might be the best.

You're Courtnall reference is understood, and there may be a little of that in Perron. He LOVES to draw penalties.

walt: J.R.,

We haven't heard much about D.J. King recently. How's his rehab coming along? I'm guessing that a shoulder injury can be tricky for someone who makes his living as an enforcer.

Jeremy Rutherford:
King has been around the locker room recently and looks to be doing OK. The last time I spoke with him, everything was going well. I'll have to get an update soon. But you're right, for the job he does, that shoulder will be a question mark when he returns.