Jeremy Rutherford:
I'm sure many of you watched the Stanley Cup Finals, and by reading some of your comments on Blues Talk, not everyone was thrilled to see the Winged Wheels skate out of Pittsburgh with the Cup. I've got to admit I was pulling for Pittsburgh, but seeing Dallas Drake hoist the Cup wasn't all bad. Even behind the scenes, he's a good dude and a guy you can pull for. He went through a lot as the captain of a bad Blues team in transition. After being bought out by the Blues and not knowing where his career was going, it was nice to see a smile on his face.

Well, the draft and free agency aren't that far off. The Post-Dispatch has a week's worth of coverage planned leading up to the draft (June 20-21), and I will be in Ottawa when the Blues make the No. 4 overall selection. Information regarding who the Blues like is hard to come by (Jarmo has his mouth zipped as usual), but I will do my best to answer your questions. So let's get chattin'

Travis: Hey JR. Two questions. 1) What are the chances of Pavol Demitra wearing the Note this coming season? 2) It seems to me the Blues have way too many grinders in Mayers, Hinote, McClement, Janssen, King. Do you think the Blues will keep all of them or maybe package one or two in a deal? Some of these guys need to be moved so we have room for Oshie, Berglund, Eller, and add a free agent or two. The prospects need to be up here and PLAY this season!

Jeremy Rutherford: I'd say there's a remote chance. I don't think Demitra is on the top of the Blues' list. He's had some injuries the past few seasons in Minnesota. Obviously he could help the Blues' offense, especially the power play, but I don't think the team has him targeted. When JD talks about the Blues' needs, it's a puck-moving defenseman and a play-making center.

Rodimus Prime: JR - Hope you enjoyed your time off and got out of the bad St Louis weather. Thanks again for keeping the chats rolling.

1. I know you are going to get more questsions on this, but what would lead someone to say Schwarz is a bust...I am not saying Schwarz will be MA Fluery (or Luongo/Lunqvist/JSG)...but didnt MAF struggle at an "early NHL age" as well? I cant see calling a goalie a bust prior to age 25 playing less than 10 NHL games. I don't get it.

2. Of all the trade talk starting up this summer, who do you think will move? Jokinen, Spezza, Lecvalaier?

3. Depending on who ends up winning the Cup...do you think Conn Smyth is between MAF and Osgood?

Jeremy Rutherford:
1. I realize Schwarz is 23 and goalies take time to develop. However, I'm inclined to label Schwarz a bust (as Jeff Gordon did) for this reason: The Blues don't have big plans for him at this point, they've shopped him around the league and found no takers, he hasn't been consistent enough to remain in Peoria and he has looked downright out of place in his NHL games. It would be a turnaround of epic proportions for Schwarz to look comfortable in an NHL net in the next two years, and I don't see that happening.

2. Lecavalier could be the one on the move, although the Lightning are trying to sell hockey in Tampa again and you would think that keeping Vinny is the way to go . . . especially because the Bolts have already dealt Richards. But with No. 1 pick Steve Stamkos on the way and a new coach (Barry Melrose anybody?), Tampa could decide to start over cheaper with young prospects.

3. I thought the Conn Smythe could have gone to Marc-Andre Fleury, but he didn't look great last night and I would never argue with Zetterberg. Zetterberg matches offensive creativity with defensive reliability better than any forward I've seen in a while. How many times did he stop Pittsburgh's forwards from getting shots off in front of the net because he got a stick on their stick?

DJ: Any post-surgery updates from Legace, Brewer, and Erik Johnson?

Jeremy Rutherford: No news there. All seem to be recuperating well, according to the Blues. Legace (knee) should be 100 percent before camp while Brewer (shoulder) and Johnson (shoulder) will be somewhat limited in camp. Both should be ready for the start of the season.

dfunk: JR!!!
NBC did a fair job of covering the finals. I believe this was the matchup that most fans wanted to see. Both sides did not disappoint but the experience on the Wings side proved to be more valuable. My question is this: during a frozen 4 party when it was here, 'The Mullet' said that ESPN was going to get coverage rights back when the VS. contract expired. Do you know yet or if that has come to fruition yet? I really miss NHL tonight on the Deuce

Jeremy Rutherford:
I don't know what to believe anymore. I was told that the NHL and ESPN were in serious talks and that something was going to be done. Then I was told they were far apart and it didn't look promising. So as far as I can tell, Versus will be the NHL's home for the foreseeable future.