Jeremy Rutherford:
I will answer as many questions as I can today before we bring our big guest, T.J. Oshie, on board. I am set up at Scottrade Center right now and Oshie is at the Cardinals game with Lars Eller. But Oshie will be back by 2 o'clock to take your questions. I promise that I will not go a minute long, so that we can hear from the newest Blue.

Tom S.: Is there any possibility that the Blues will maybe try to sign Brendan Shanahan. I think they lost a lot of leadership when they traded Doug Weight and struggled because of it. Shanahan is a great leader and would create a huge buzz around the fan base and probably wouldn't cost a whole lot considering he's 40.

Jeremy Rutherford: There was a greater chance of this happening a year or two ago, but not anymore. Shanahan likes it in New York, and the Rangers have a playoff-caliber team. He's probably not far off from retirement, and he will definitely have some hand in the game when he's finished, whether it's within the league office or TV.

Craig: Hi JR Do you agree.
1. In the 2008 draft the blues need to take Nikita Filatov. Idk if he is Russia and people think he wont come over the blues need this kind of scoring and they wont get it from free agents.(they dont have the money) The blues really wanna have fans back this year they need to get this kid.

Why take a Defensemen man when we have so much already on the blue line.
Eric Brewer Erik Johnson Barret Jackman Jay McKee
Jeff Woywitka( if we resign him)
Steve Wagner and Roman Polak and Ian Cole (comming soon)

2. Might as well go after John-Michael Liles as a free agent and this way will be cheaper for a scoring Forward and puck moving Defensemen. And they both are young. Liles 27yo thats still young but has been around 4 seasons so he could help out the younger puck moving d-man.

Thank you for your time and reading and answering.

Jeremy Rutherford: I don't think the Blues are going to consider Filatov. He's a question mark. If he were a can't-miss player, they would take a chance. But so far, from what I've been told and read, he's not the offensive threat that everybody is making him out to be.

When drafting a defenseman, the Blues can't worry about how their blue-line looks today with Jackman, McKee, Brewer, etc. By the time the fourth pick in this year's draft (whoever it is) is ready to be a major factor in the NHL, the current defenseman could be long gone. Granted Jackman, Brewer and McKee have long contracts, but the Blues can't pass on a talented young defenseman in the draft because of their current situation.

I like Liles and so do the Blues, but they don't know how much he'll command in free agency.

Craig: Hi JR
*How long before we see Jay Barriball,Ian Cole,Lars Eller,Jonas Junland are in blues jerseys?
*Will Martin Kariya ever be in a blues jersey?
*Will Patrik Berglund,T.J. Oshie be in a blues jersey 08-09 season?
*Do you think the blues would draft Nikita Filatov?or who do you think they would draft?

Thank you for your time,and for reading and answering my questions.

Jeremy Rutherford:
Junland is probably the closest to being ready with Eller and Cole next, followed by Barriball. The Blues really like the player Junland has become. Cole had a great college season, but will need more seasoning. Eller will probably play in Sweden next year. I haven't heard much about Barriball lately.

Martin Kariya has had several injuries in Peoria, but doesn't look like a player who will contribute in St. Louis.

Berglund and Oshie will be here in training camp. If they don't make the team, everybody will be disappointed.

In the draft, I would take Doughty, Bogosian, Schenn . . . one of those defensemen if they're available.

Tara T: Hi JR! I have one question and then an idea for the Blues.

1. Why are we not letting Toivonen mature into the number one goalie spot with the other kids that we are acquiring? He's got all the attributes of what will be an outstanding goalie, he's quick, big, strong...Several of the great teams we are watching play in the playoffs allowed their goalies to "grow" into their position...Luongo did it with the Panthers, DiPietro did it with the Islanders, and Fleury did it with the Penguins, and they are in excellent position to win the cup. I don't see why we are letting our "youth" go to waste here, when we are looking for the upcoming youth to take the team far in the next few seasons in all other positions. We need to be realistic about this coming season, we aren't going to see the cup here yet, due to all of the young players we have coming up...but we will hopefully see a huge change in play which will eventually lead us on the hunt. I guess it is just upsetting to see such talent not be utilized, and I believe we gave away a high draft pick for him, so the Blues had to see something in him they liked.

2. The theme for the Blues next season should be "Watch Us Grow" because we will have so many players growing into their positions. It'll be exciting to watch.


Thanks,
Tara T.

Jeremy Rutherford: Toivonen is young, 23 or 24, but he didn't show the Blues enough last year to be considered for the backup spot, much less a No. 1 job. He's got a lot of developing to do, and the Blues can't afford to let him to do it in an NHL net. He's got to get his game together in Peoria.

"Come watch us grow" is a good catch phrase. But I don't know how much the people who want a playoff team will like it.