Jeremy Rutherford: I hope everybody is doing well. I just got back from trout fishing with Chris Kerber. Let's just say he's a better broadcaster than a fisherman. To your questions . . .

Joel: Interested in what contracts are likely to be renewed this summer?

We also have EJ and Brewer coming back and hopefully Pietrangelo will be ready to come up, who do you see being the six defense this year?

Any buzz about a forward free agent signing?

Jeremy Rutherford:
It's still early, but I've written that among the unrestricted free agents, Tkachuk, Winchester and Weaver could be back. Manny Legace and Dan Hinote will not be back.

Among the restricted players, I expect Jay McClement and Roman Polak will get new contracts and B.J. Crombeen should be qualified. Jeff Woywitka is a question mark.

No word yet on who the Blues are targeting in free agency.

txbluesfan44: JR,

I have a hunch that Pronger may return to the Blues around draft day. Any new updates on this front? I certainly wouldnt want to part with Perron, Oshie or Berglund, but would you be in favor of a deal involving Pietrangelo, Sonne and our 17th overall in the first?

The obvious answer is to wait until next off-season and sign him as a UFA, but if he is in fact traded, I'm sure it would be with the understanding that the acquiring team would sign him to an extension, otherwise Anaheim would have to give him away.

Jeremy Rutherford: I like Chris Pronger and I think he would be good for this team. I don't think they will win the Stanley Cup next year, so I would wait to sign Pronger as a free agent after the season. Your package idea is one that could make sense for both teams, but I personally wouldn't give up Pietrangelo and/or Sonne and No. 1 for a player you can sign in one more year. Yes, if you trade for him, you'll likely re-sign him, but I wouldn't want to give up a good prospect.

Those who disagree with me might say that having Pronger this year would make others around him better, and that's true, but the cost seems to be too expensive.

sc: JR,

We all know there is a good chance this team will make a run at Progs over the summer, so my question is this: What is the most this team will give up to aquire him (assuming that Petro would be included in any package)?

Thanks,

SC

Jeremy Rutherford: I'm sure Pietrangelo's name would come up. I've also heard David Perron and Roman Polak, although that was before Perron played so well in the playoffs. I have to believe that Polak showed enough upside, too, this season that the Blues don't want to part with him.

CvO: Is there any concern with Brad Boyes +/- number from last year? I feel it says so much about a player. Also, what is the chance we break the century mark in points next year?

Jeremy Rutherford: Yes, there's plenty of concern with Brad Boyes' -20 this season. The Blues aren't happy with his defensive play or his lack of aggressiveness in either zone.

Remember Andy Murray actually started over the plus-minus numbers for all of the players at the midway point last season. At that time, Boyes was a minus-23. He was a plus-3 in the final 41 games, so that was a good sign.

Breaking 100 points might be asking a lot, but if Chris Mason plays well and Paul Kariya bounces back to form, I suppose it's possible.

George: Hi JR. Two questions. First, have you heard any updates on the Blues perhaps setting up something for the fans to get tickets to the opening games in Sweden in October? If not, can you please check with JD or someone in the Blues FO? Lastly, what weakness do you believe the Blues should address this off season? Should they focus on improving the Offense, perhaps a Right Wing with Size or perhaps focus on Defense, say like Mr. Pronger (I can always dream, right?). Thanks, George

Jeremy Rutherford: The Blues told me several months ago that they would release information on the Sweden trip for fans, but I never saw anything. I will try to get that information and post a blog this week for those interested.

The Blues should look for a reasonably priced right winger and a backup goalie.

slapperloon: Hello J.R.,

What would you estimate as the percentage of likelihood that the Blues will buy out the final year of Jay McKee's contract during the offseason?

Jeremy Rutherford:
Before the final three months of the season, I would have said there was a good chance. But the Blues are strapped for cash, and with McKee playing much better late in the season, I think they'll ride out the final year of the contract with him. McKee showed that he might not be a difference maker himself, but when others around him are playing well, his play rises. With that said, I'd put the odds at 75-25 McKee will be back.

Wild Bill: Hey JR,
Thanks for the chat!
What's your opinion of the 09 NHL Draft? is this considered to be a deep draft or is there only a few players that will make meaningful contributions to the teams they are selected by. Also ask Jarmo if he's looked at the two Zack's (Kassian and Budish) they both seem underrated.

Jeremy Rutherford: I haven't seen any of the players, expect for John Tavares and Victor Hedman, and that was on TV at the World Jr. Championships and on Youtube clips. I've been told it's a decent draft, nothing too exciting after the top few picks. I plan to talk to Jarmo today, so if I get the chance, I will ask him about the two players you mentioned.

Rodimus Prime: How's it going JR! I love that you keep these going all summer.

I just want to throw out a few names and get your impression if the Blues might be interested in pursuing those players to fill holes. Whether it be by trade, offer sheet, or signing.

Forwards:
Samuelsson
Higgins (trade for rights)
Kopitar

Defensemen:
Goligoski (trade for rights)
Seidenberg
Oduya
Pronger

Goalie:
Anderson
Valiquette
Harding

Thanks JR.

Jeremy Rutherford: Samuelsson is intriguing . . . I don't think LA is going to let Kopitar get away . . . I don't see the Blues making a play on any of those defensemen, except maybe Pronger . . . Anderson and Valiquette are interesting possibilities, but I don't think they'd be interested in Harding.

bloop91: JR. Thanks as always for keeping the Blues fire burning. I know that hockey minds feel that you build a winner from the defense forward. But sooner or later you have to outscore the other team. The Blues need at least one more forward that can score. I don't think you can rely on Backes just yet as he's only done it for one year. We put a lot in the Stempniak basket b/c of one good year. Kayria & Walt who knows what they have left. So that leaves us with the "kids" and Boyes. And the kids are they one year wonders.

Thoughts

Thanks

Jeremy Rutherford: I agree. I like all of the Blues' forwards in their respective role. But even with Kariya back and McDonald healty for a full season, the Blues don't have enough scoring.

Who's going to score 30 goals next year? Probably Boyes, maybe Backes, but that's it. You can't count on 30 from Kariya, McDonald, Oshie, Perron, Berglund, etc. The Blues need another scoring winger.

Ryan: Hey JR, could you give us an update on Lars Eller's rehab from shoulder surgery? Is he still here or did he go back to Denmark? If he did return to Europe, is it possible he could return for prospects or rookie camp or will he not be recoverend enough by then? Will the docs in Denmark be able to rehab him as well as the docs here?

Jeremy Rutherford: Eller is back in Europe and should have begun his rehab by now. He told me he's planning to come to the U.S. twice this summer, I believe. He may be here for the development camp in July, but I would it's highly unlikely he would play.

Mark: JR, any update on Brewer's back/nerve issues?

Jeremy Rutherford: Nothing yet . . . I promise I will have updated information on Brewer next week.

spinsblues: Do Brett Sonne, Lars Eller, or Aaron Palushaj have a realistic chance of making the roster out of camp this year? If not, which one do you see being the closest to being ready?

Jeremy Rutherford: None of them are ready for the NHL. All three are expected to play in Peoria next season.

ibleedblue1968: JR,

What are the qualities that Jarmo prioritizes in creating his board? I'm trying to get a better understanding of the style the Blues teams wants to BECOME. I know it's finding the right mix - but does that mean taking a power forward or a sniper? Or, is a projected #3 defenseman more important? What makes them decide to take a pick who is 1-2 years away as opposed to taking the 3-4 project?

I understand Jarmo and the Blues don't want to give away what they're going to do - but help the fans get a better understanding of what they have done so far in their overall plan. In some instances (eg. Perron), they took someone who could be in the NHL much sooner; yet, in the same draft, they took Eller and Cole, who still aren't ready yet.
Thanks JR.

Jeremy Rutherford: Great question . . . in my dealings with Jarmo, he has stressed to me the importance of character and hockey sense. Sometimes there are players who can't skate well, but Jarmo doesn't care. IF they have good hockey sense (positioning, awareness), then they can work on his skating.

As far as ranking certain types of players, the Blues don't prioritize a sniper vs. a No. 3 defenseman. They try and get the best player available, obviously, and also keep their list of prospects balanced. For example, other than Erik Johnson, the Blues didn't feel like they had a puck-moving defenseman among their prospects, so they went with Alex Pietrangelo over Luke Schenn.

I don't think the Blues took Perron with the idea that he was NHL-ready. I don't think anybody thought that. He was an attractive player at that spot (No. 26 overall in 2007). Likewise, they didn't take Ian Cole (No. 18 in 2007) would the idea that he would need time to develop. They would love to have Cole playing in Peoria next year, but he's not ready to leave college.

mike: So, when is this Stanley Cup thing going to end? It seems like it goes on forever. Let's sign Pronger after next season, when we get ride of some money, like McKee and maybe even Kariya. Do you think the Blues will hang on to Kariya after next season?

Jeremy Rutherford: The NHL season is LONG, no doubt.

As far as Kariya, his future after next season will depend on how he bounces back. If he is as healthy as advertised and plays like he did five years ago, then the Blues will be interested in re-signing. If not, they move on.

Ryan: What about Steve Wagner? He's a RFA this summer too. Do you see the Blues bringing him back? At least giving him a qualifying offer?

Jeremy Rutherford: Wagner will probably receive a qualifying offer, but he would have to impress a lot of people to make the team out of camp. If Wagner returns, it would likely be to Peoria.

Dan Schardan: What free agents do you think will be on the Blues radar starting July 1st?

Jeremy Rutherford: It's still a little early to predict that, but I've mentioned Detroit's Mikael Samuelsson as a possibility.

bugeater714s: Hey JR, I was wondering if you know of any fan fest the blues are planning like last year?

Jeremy Rutherford: The last I heard, the Blues are planning another FanFest. I'm sure it will be a yearly event.

Jeff Mueller: So, seeing how the Blues are in need of a back-up net minder (I don't think that Bishop is ready for the big time yet) who do you think they should go out and try and get? I like Clemmenson, but I think that Jersey is going to be intent on resigning him. Who do you think would be available that will fit well with the Blues? Also, do you think bringing in a guy like Clemmenson would be an insult to Mason ie the Legace thing last year.

Jeremy Rutherford: Clemmensen might get a No. 1 job somewhere. With that said, I don't think it would be an insult to Mason, if the Blues could sign Clemmensen to a reasonable contract. Mason needs to be pushed and he will be in the final year of his contract.

Jeff Mueller: Just a hypothetical here, but what happens if Brewer isn't able to return due to his nerve damage. What happens to the Blues (are they still obligated for his contract or what) and who do you go after to replace him?

Jeremy Rutherford: First of all, if Brewer could no longer play, which we don't know yet, the Blues would be responsible for his contract. However, the Blues could file a long-term injury with the league and then you would get into a situation where some or most of it would not count against the salary cap. (By the way, Brewer has two more years remaining on his contract).

As far as replacing him, the Blues haven't crossed that bridge yet because they are saying he should be able to play. Again, I will have more on this in the Post-Dispatch and on STLtoday.com very soon.

Jeremy Rutherford: Thanks for your questions today. I'm going to cut it a little short and get ready for an interview with Jarmo Kekalainen about the NHL combine, which starts Monday in Toronto.