Jeremy Rutherford: I just had a conversation with Lars Eller, the 13th overall pick in the 2007 draft by the Blues. He's in town following shoulder surgery. I got some good stuff from Lars and hope to post it in a blog later today.
Let's get to the questions.

rich4mde: JR Thanks for taking questions as always!

I know you will probably get asked this 20 times today but who do you see sitting when Kariya comes Back. I'm guessing Hinote or Crombeen. The only thing is Hinote has the playoff experience!
And also How well do you think the kids did so far this year? Exceed expectations? I think they very much did!

Thanks!

Jeremy Rutherford: This will be a very tough decision for Andy Murray. Dan Hinote is a candidate, but he does bring the playoff experience, he's playing pretty well right now and he's such a big part of the penalty kill, which is 3rd in the league. On the other hand, how do you break up the checking line of Steen, McClement and Crombeen. They've been great. I'm glad I don't have to make the decision.

On the kids, you've got to be happy with the progress. The points are there, and they're learning so much. Yes, they've had their ups and downs, but there's no way when the season is over that someone could say it wasn't a productive year for Berglund, Oshie or Perron.

ross mandernach: hey jeremy i am 15 and i wanted to know do you think if the blues make it into the playoffs will Chris Mason have the energy to perform well

Jeremy Rutherford: Yes, I think the Blues will make the playoffs. They have a chance to win both of their remaining games and Nashville will have a tough time winning at Detroit and Minnesota. It looks good for the Blues.

I also think Chris Mason will have enough stamina. He's started 30 straight games and while he had a tough game in Dallas, he bounced back against Phoenix.

brann316: Hi JR,
I have a question about the NHL waiver rules as it pertains to the post season. God forbid, but if Chris Mason got hurt during the playoffs, and the Blues wanted to bring Manny Legace up from Peoria, would he still have to go through waivers, since the regular season would be over, or could he come right up and play? And would the Blues even want to bring him up, or would they just go with Bishop?
Thanks,
Mike

Jeremy Rutherford: Here's the deal: The Blues could call Manny Legace up from Peoria, but he would have to go through re-entry waivers. A team could claim him, but they can NOT put him in the lineup. I think the cut-off to claim someone and play them was the trade deadline. So in other words, with Legace's contract expiring this summer, the only reason a team would claim Legace would be to (tick) off the Blues.

But if your San Jose and you're facing the Blues in the playoffs . . . Mason goes down . . . the Blues call up Legace . . . why wouldn't you claim him? The Blues would certainly claim the SJ goalie if the situation were reversed.

swingandalong1: JR,

If Kariya comes back, do you think he could be a difference maker? If so, might the Blues snake a series or two (assuming they make the playoffs)?

Also, where do you think the Blues would have been in the standings had EJ and Kariya stayed healthy this season?

Thanks.

Jeremy Rutherford:
Kariya would help this team, no question. It may take him a few games to get into "game shape" but he would no doubt help.

The second question is tough to answer. What has made this a playoff team in my mind is that everyone doubted them. The current Blues were motivated by the premise that nobody thought they could make it. They have great chemistry and they love playing for each other. But if you have a healthy Paul Kariya and a healthy Erik Johnson in the lineup all season, you have to believe that this team would have been in the playoffs and possibly a higher seed.