Jeremy Rutherford: Well my playoff picks aren't looking too good except for Pittsburgh. I took Colorado, San Jose and Montreal in the other matchups. Oh well, what do I know? It's not like I get paid to cover hockey.

The only Blues news recently involved T.J. Oshie. It looks like it's only a matter of finishing up school before he signs with the Blues. I'm sure we'll have a question or two about Oshie, so let's get started . . .

Tom: Hi J-R,

What are your thoughts on Kyle Beech? His stock has fallen and he seems to be more of an agitator than a solid NHL scoring winger. I'm hoping you'll say the Blues aren't interested in him for the 4th pick.

Jeremy Rutherford: J.D. has mentioned his name, but only while rattling off the names of the top 10 picks. To my knowledge, there's no real interest on the Blues' part with the fourth pick. I think they'll take one of the top defensemen, with an outside chance of trading down.

Mike: Thanks for keeping all things Blue going. I hope you plan to do an occasional chat during the summer especially as all things draft and trade emerge.

Jeremy Rutherford: We will continue the chats and I will have some Morning Skate blogs every so often. It's been pretty quiet lately, so there's been nothing to blog about. But as we get closer to the draft, we'll have more than enough fodder. Thanks for your interest.

Matt: I was hoping to ask JD if he came on, but maybe you can get a straight answer out of him. Without blaming the ice crew and "throwing anyone under the bus" (I will forever connect that phrase to the 07-08 Blues), were the Blues for the most part satisfied with the ice conditions at Savvis? To me it looked atrocious on most nights, and while that's no excuse for the team's play, it certainly didn't help. Have the Blues considered spending money in that area- building upgrades, dehumidifiers, etc?

Thanks for your hard work, JR.

Jeremy Rutherford: JD has been busy the past couple of weeks, but we still plan to get him back in the chat room. I think it's more productive to have him with us in the weeks leading up to the draft or leading up to training camp. But I'm sure he'll join us before then.

As far as the ice, it wasn't good this season. It was obvious in the first month or two of the season, and it seemed to get better later (as it always does in the colder months), but it still wasn't up to par.

The league had its ice man visit St. Louis and try to solve the problem along with ice-rink workaholic Fred Corsi, but I don't think they ever felt better about the situation.

I really try not to say too much about this subject because I know nothing about improving the ice conditions. So please take my 2 cents as things I've heard and witnessed.

Damian: Do the BLUES ever express the need to get bigger and meaner up front? If the BLUES don't resign "BIG COUNTRY", they will be a little soft on D. Are the BLUES concerned? I hate being pushed around almost as much as losing. Thanks

Jeremy Rutherford: I don't think the Blues are worried about that. Yes they have two guys who are on the small side (Kariya, McDonald), who seemed to get pushed around a lot. But they've got a guy like David Backes who played on the top line and finished - I believe - seventh in the league in hits. For the past couple of years, the Blues haven't had a lot of skill up front. Now they have some skill and some would like more toughness. It's tough to have both, but the Blues have a good mix.