Jeremy Rutherford: I just got back home after watching both practices at the Pro Orientation camp. Good stuff. Can't wait till Saturday's scrimmage game.

Ryan: Hey JR,

Where will Sergei Andronov play this season? With him being a couple years older than the typical draft pick, is it possible he plays in Peoria? What was it about Andronov that made the Blues ignore the "Russian Factor"? Also, do you happen to know why he couldn't make it to Orientation Camp?

Jeremy Rutherford:
Androvov, I'm told, will continue to play in Russia. I don't have any information yet that he'll be in Peoria. Jarmo Kekalainen was real high on Andronov before the draft. JD checked with a Russian scout he knows who said that Andonov had good character. So while the Blues have had some trouble with the Russian players, they felt safe picking Andronov.

Erik: JR, I'm hoping you can help me out here. Lets say Pietrangelo isn't quite NHL ready but the Blues don't want to sent him back to the OHL because they feel his game won't progress there. Is it at all possible his junior team, the Niagra IceDogs, relinquish his rights and he would then be able to play in the AHL? Is that even possible? Thanks for taking my question.

Jeremy Rutherford:
I'm not completely sure, but I don't think that's possible. The rules are in place to protect the junior teams, and I'm sure other junior teams would frown on Niagra for taking that course, if it were even possible.

Ryan: On a scale of 0-100, where would you put the likelihood of the Blues signing a veteran defender like Zubov, Schneider or someone else? If fairly likely, who would be your guess at who they sign?

Jeremy Rutherford:
The Blues will continue to look for a veteran defenseman, and that search will intensify if the team learns that Eric Brewer will not be ready to play in September. That is a VERY real possibility. There are some within the Blues' organization that are hearing behind the scenes that Brewer's return is IFFY at best. The defense is just too young without Brewer and McKee, so the Blues will have to seek out an experienced defenseman.

Mike: Yo JR! How's the summer going? How's the little one?

Why isn't big Benny Bishop in camp? It seems like he always misses these things even though he lives down the street. What gives?

Jeremy Rutherford:
I asked that question today and JD said they only need four goalies at the camp. I don't get it. To me, Ben Bishop would benefit from attending the camp. T.J. Oshie is in attendance . . . Erik Johnson is in attendance. The Blues have a goalie by the name of Keith Kincaid participating in this camp. He plays for the Bandits. You can't tell me that the Blues are better off having Keith Kincaid in this camp over Ben Bishop.

Mark: Level with us here, JR. Just what is the deal with Brewer? We know the Blues are saying he'll be ready by training camp but what's your take? Gut feeling - when, if ever, do you think he'll be able to play in the NHL again?

Jeremy Rutherford: As I alluded to with an earlier question, Brewer's rehab is going VERY slow. I don't watch him work out, and I haven't spoken to him in a month, but what I'm hearing doesn't point to him being ready in September.

STLCurious: Any word on Polak? If he doesn't sign and we don't sign anybody else who stays Petro, Cole or both?

Jeremy Rutherford:
The Blues say that they are continuing to talk with Polak. I believe something will get done, but no one appears to be in a hurry. It appears Polak lost some leverage when no teams made him an offer sheet.

So in my estimation, Polak will be on this defense in October. If he's not, though, I don't see how you can can have both Pietrangelo and Cole on the team. This defense is going to be young enough without Cole. One or the other, but I don't think you can have both.

Rodimus Prime: Good Afternoon JR.

If you could ball park the Blues chances at actually signing another defensemen or trading for one, what % would you put those chances at? (excluding Polak).

Are Zubov and Schneider the only "names on the list" or is there interest in other players?

Jeremy Rutherford:
I would say the chances are fairly good, especially if Brewer is not ready, as I mentioned before.

The names everyone is talking about are Zubov and Schneider. Obviously they could help the Blues with their veteran presence, but both have been banged up lately. I don't know how healthy they are. If they're healthy, they're offensive ability would be attractive to the Blues. I have not heard of any other names the team is intersted in, and honestly, I don't know anyone else out there who could fill the Blues' need.

Josh: JR,

Which forward prospect has the best chance at making the team this season? I would guess Eller.

Jeremy Rutherford:

Eller has the best chance, but it's a longshot. It's not a matter of not having any talent. The Blues just have too many NHL forwards. They have 12 one-way contracts, plus Perron, Oshie and Berglund who will be in St. Louis. So unless there's an injury, there's not a lot of room for a young forward to crack the roster.

scottl: JR, Do you know if the blues are still the number one ranked club for prospects in the nhl??? and it seems that the blues are loaded with kids...Do you think if the blues at the trade deadline are in the hunt it makes it easier to pull off a deal to help the club and not have to look back??? Would JD be down with that??..Thanks

Jeremy Rutherford: According to hockeysfuture.com, the Blues did have the No. 1 class (as of last spring). Yes, the Blues will have a lot of chips at the trade deadline if they're looking to add somebody. As JD has mentioned many times, there are too many prospects for them all to play in St. Louis. But JD said they have to find out who can play and who they'd consider trading.

Rodimus Prime: One more if you can get to it.

Can you run down some of the names of "prospects" we could see coming in to Peoria this year?

I know Eller, Palushaj, Sonne are some more obvious ones...but will we see K Berglund, Lehtera, Hjalmarsson, Andoronov, etc? Also are most of the college kids going back? Like Barriball, Fairchild, and Warofsky.

Jeremy Rutherford:

JD was really high on Kris Berglund this morning. (BTW, Berglund has a mop of hair coming out of his helmet). Berglund is a smaller guy, but I'm told he held his own in the Swedish Elite League last season. He will play with Lulea in the SEL next season.

Lehterra will return to Tappara in the Finnish Elite League next season.

Simon Hjalmarsson has signed a deal to play in the Swedish Elite League next season, and he's really excited about that. Andronov will be in Russia.


As far as I know, the other names you mentioned are headed back to college.

Mark: Hey JR,

What's the word on Jori Lehtera? What ever happened with the Blues trying to get him out of the last year of his contract over in Finland? Could he be playing for the Rivermen this season? Why isn't he in prospects camp?

Jeremy Rutherford: Lehtera is definitely a player to keep an eye on. Rivermen coach Davis Payne is a big fan of his skill.

Blues assistant GM Jarmo Kekalainen tells me that Lehtera will be returning to play with Tappara in the Finnish Elite League, so evidently he can't get out of his contract. He was loaned to the Peoria Rivermen last year.

Ryan: Hey JR, do you happen to know why recent draftees David Rundblad and Sergei Andronov aren't in camp this week?

Jeremy Rutherford: Rundblad had a previous commitment, and the Blues were OK with that. JD said that two weeks ago Rundblad had no idea which team would draft him, nor did he know that the dates for the Pro Camp. So his situation is understood.

I'm not sure why Andronov is not at the camp. I'm sure it's a similar issue. It doesn't seem like it would be easy to book a flight from Russia on short notice.

Mark: JR, I was plesantly surprised with the Toivonen signing this week. What are your thoughts on the signing? In a way, it helps push Bishop but you could also view it as potentially hurting Bishop because Hannu is likely to steal quite a bit of Ben's icetime. Also, what about Holt? All the guy did was excel in Alaska, then excel in Peoria and yet he never seems to get any credit. Why does it seem like he's viewed as the ugly step-child in terms of goalies in the Blues organization? IMO, the Blues are wasting him if they end up sending him back to Alaska but you could say the same about Hannu and Ben too. I think they somehow need to find AHL jobs for all 3 of these guys. What do you think? I know it's possible to loan out goalies to other teams but just how likely is it? I remember they tried it a couple years ago (can't remember if it was Bacashulia or Schwarz they tried to loan) but they couldn't find any takers.

Jeremy Rutherford: Good for Toivonen. He wants to give it another crack. The Blues have been speaking well of Toivonen the past week. They say that his confidence was shattered when he left here, and after a year in Finland, he seems to have his game back. Time will tell.

You've got to feel bad for Chris Holt, who might be the odd man out in Peoria. The Blues have discussed loaning him out to another AHL team.

coldchickeninhaler: Wasup JR?

Which player has impressed you most at Orientation Camp this week? Besides EJ and TJ, who would you deem most NHL ready? Any players that have changed your impressions/opinions of them with their play thus far? The standouts to me on Day 1 were Eller, McRae, Pietrangelo and Nigro. Palushaj looked good but he needs to get quite a bit bigger.

Jeremy Rutherford:
Eller and McRae have been impressive. McRae can really dangle the puck. Pietrangelo looks pretty confident.

Brett Ponich, the 6-foot-7, 205-pound d-man taken in the second round, looks pretty good. JD said this morning, and I agree, that he looks lighter on his feet than you might think of someone 6-7.

I haven't seen much of Anthony Nigro. Tyler Shattock, who I believe was a fourth-round pick, looks like he's got some good hands.

Mike: The Blues currently have 15 forwards (Kariya, Boyes, McDonald, Backes, Berglund, Oshie, Perron, Tkachuk, Steen, Winchester, McClement, Crombeen, Stastny, King and Janssen) not counting any of the prospects and teams generally don't carry more than 14 forwards. In your opinion, who's the most likely to be shipped off? Are any of them on two-way contracts? I wouldn't think the Blues would want to pay guys NHL salaries in the minors but you never know. I'm thinking besides Bergy, Oshie and Perron (3 guys who ARE NOT going to be sent down) everyone else is on a one-way contract.

Jeremy Rutherford: Everyone besides Oshie, Berglund and Perron are on one-way contracts. It's starting to seem like the Blues will have to make a decision between D.J. King and Cam Janssen. Also, you have to wonder what the Blues think about Yan Stastny. He signed a two-year contract last year, and this year is a one-way contract. Do you pay him $500,000 to play in Peoria? I doubt it. It will be interesting to see what Stastny looks like in camp.

Kevin in Ca.: JR
I see David Perron as a terrific "up side" player-young with boundless offensive skills, yet I hear of him as trade bate and having some less than positive attributes. What gives? Is he or is he not in the future for the Blues.
K.T. in Ca.

Jeremy Rutherford: Perron's name has been mentioned in many trade rumors and some of it is legitimate. Of the Blues' young prospects, Perron was the one the Blues WERE most willing to part with. But that sentiment has changed. Perron played very well against Vancouver in the playoffs and now the Blues seem less inclined to include his name in trade talks.

bloop91: JR
Once again your the man.

1. How do the prospects get picked to come to camp. I ask b/c I see players that I know are not blues property out there.

2. What's the real story on Kaberle are we in or out and if were in who would we have to give up

Thanks for all you do.

Jeremy Rutherford:

1. Most of the players are Blues' draft picks, or college players who don't have an NHL team. There are also local players from St. Louis/Illinois participating this week. Those players were asked to come to the camp by Al MacInnis.

2. There doesn't seem to be any legs to the Kaberle-to-St. Louis rumor.

sltest: Have any of the legitamate prospects, or at least those who could possbily play for the Blues over the next two years stood out, and if so who. I did read your article on Eller, and I am sure many will ask this qeustion, so if you could expound on a few names it would help those who cant make the camp. Thanks

Jeremy Rutherford:
Earlier someone asked about prospects who might be able to crack this year's lineup. My answer was Eller.

As far as prospects who could crack the lineup in the next two or three years, I would say Ben Bishop, Ian Cole, Brett Sonne, Jori Lehtera . . . those are a few.

Mike Bittner: Yo JR,

How did (or how do you think) Blues front office folks reacted to Pronger's extension?

Jeremy Rutherford: Hey Mike . . .

The Blues would have liked to see Pronger hit the free-agent market, but that was unlikely to happen after Philadelphia gave up a king's ransom. The extension was pretty much expected once Pronger said he would listen.

babych10: JR your stories have a more personal feel to them the last while. Good Job

What are the plans with Yan Stastny as he is on a one way deal and I do not see him cracking this lineup at all.

Oh has David Perron been in St.Louis at all training this summer?

I also think it was a good move giving Toivonen another shot because when you look back. You cannot give up on a first round pick goaltender after only 23 games.

That is all he played in.

Jeremy Rutherford:
Thanks Babych

I'm not sure what Stastny's future holds. He played his role well, but with the Blues having three potential scoring lines, it pushes guys like Brad Winchester, B.J. Crombeen and others to the fourth line. If that happens, where does a guy like Stastny fit? I guess we'll find out.

Quick David Perron story: Al MacInnis was told by someone that Perron was seen walking into a rink in Quebec at 5:30 a.m. last week BY HIMSELF.

I think the Toivonen signing can only be a good thing. If he fails, both sides gave it a try.

Mark: JR, why wasn't EJ on the ice this morning? Please tell me he's not injured!!

Jeremy Rutherford:
Johnson did skate today. He was moved to the late group. Originally Johnson was with the early group, but defenseman Cade Fairchild is unable to skate, so therefore the Blues juggled the defensive lineups and Johnson was switched.

Hutch: Why sign Ian Schultz to a contract now if he has no chance to make the team and must go back to his junior team when he doesn't make the Blues? Wouldn't this burn 1 of the 3 years on an entry level contract? This contract could well be over and he will still be in the minors, because there are many forwards ahead of him.

Jeremy Rutherford:
The contract doesn't start until he plays here. The Blues' focus is to get all of their prospects signed, assuming they like them.

IsDurbanodoingtime: Did the Blues make any money this year?

Jeremy Rutherford:

Dave Checketts called it a "break-even year." I'm told that the hockey team lost money, while Scottrade Center made money (concerts, etc.).

That was before the Blues made the playoffs, so perhaps the first-round home games helped the hockey team come closer to breaking even.

Adam: When will the Blues 2009-2010 schedule be released?

Jeremy Rutherford: The schedule should be out in the next week or two.

blueslifer: Hi JR, thanks for the chat.

Assuming one or more of Winchester, Crombeen, Stastny, Janssen, or King gets demoted to Peoria at some point in the season which players pass through waivers and which get claimed if you had to guess.

Jeremy Rutherford:
There's a possibility each of those players could get claimed, although Stastny went unclaimed last year.

There would definitely be interest in Winchester and Crombeen, and as inexpensive as Janssen and King are, I wouldn't be surprised to see them taken.

scott rhein: Hello JR. and Thank You for taking my question. When looking at the current roster. I am trying to think of the lines that we may us. I am thinking Kariya, Boyes, and McDonald, Oshie, Perron, and Berglund, Tkachuk, Backes and McClement. That leaves 3 postions for 5 players. We have Steen, Crombeen, Winchester, King and Janssen left. How is that going to play out? There are 3 postions for 5 players. This also leaves no space for any rookies. What are your thoughts.
Scott

Jeremy Rutherford: My guess at the lines

Kariya-Backes-Boyes
McDonald-Berglund-Perron
Steen-Tkachuk-Oshie
Winchester-McClement-Crombeen

Extras: Stastny, Janssen, King

Hoff: JR, who would you rather have of the three:

Zubrus
Schneider
Kaberle

Keep in mind that you obviously would have to give up more than money to get Kaberle, which is a downside. Kaberle has already said he wants to stay in the East, although he no longer has a NT clause, I sure wouldnt want to give up prospects/picks to land someone who doesnt want to be here.

Jeremy Rutherford: Kaberle is enticing, but remember the Blues will have some money to spend next season if they don't bring Paul Kariya back. So if you can get Schneider or Zubov for a year at a reasonable price, I'd pull the trigger on a one-year deal with one of those guys (assuming they're healthy).

mblues54: JR,
My memory of the situation may be fading, but last preseason AM stated that Jonas Junland had impressed enough to make the team. He was then hurt and sent to Peoria, never to return for even one game, even with all the injuries on defense. What's up with that? Is he going to get a chance this year do you think? He scored a fair amount of goals in Peoria and I thought he might be another answer to an offensive minded defensman that they are in need of. Thanks. I've been a Blues fan from the beginning.

Jeremy Rutherford:
Junland came up for one game at Washington and was OK. He went back to Peoria and again was just OK. If memory serves, he was a healthy scratch toward the end of the Peoria season. The Blues want to see more out of him.

kjk: We're only a couple of days into prospect camp, but several posters have had less than flattering comments on Cole's performance. For those of us who can't attend, what have you been seeing and what should we expect from Cole this week?

Jeremy Rutherford:

I don't know how anybody could have a solid judgment based on some cone drills. I don't think he's stuck out above the rest, but we're talking about two days of drills. I'm going to hold off any thoughts until after the scrimmage game Saturday.

Steve P: What can you say about the practices today? Routine stuff or did anyone stand out?

Jeremy Rutherford:
I liked Eller again. There's a kid named Oshie and another named Johnson . . . just kidding. As I said earlier, Brett Ponich (6-7 d-man) can move better than I thought he would. Philip McRae looks good.

Not forgetting about goaltenders, Karpowich (last year's 7th round pick) made a couple of real nice saves.

Chris: Are you saying Brewer's return by September is iffy, or his return at all?

Jeremy Rutherford: I'm saying September . . . it's too soon to call it career-threatening.

Brian: JR, Thanks for taking time to answer our questions. Can you givee me your evaluation of Kincaid, the goalie from the Bandits and maybe some background about him. I heard he has looked pretty good.
Thanks!

Jeremy Rutherford:
I don't know much about him, other than watching him at practice. He looks fairly confident. But again, these are drills.

Tim the former Sprint guy: JR,

Thanks as always for taking the time to answer all of our questions and making yourself open to us fans at the rinks and what not!

Some site, I think espn, had us as sitting at #7 in the west. With the team sitting as it is now, where do you think we could end up?

Also who goes? King or Janssen? You would think one would be gone or in Peoria for the season if they clear waivers.

Thanks,

Tim, the FORMER Sprint guy!

Jeremy Rutherford: No longer at Sprint, eh? You quit your job to go to the Pro camp?!?!

The 7th spot in the West isn't a bad projection, but to me it all comes down to the defensemen. Jay McKee and Eric Brewer have their detractors, but they were veterans. Without them, Barret Jackman, Carlo Colaiacovo and Mike Weaver are suddenly the only vets.

If there was a decision to be made between King and Janssen, that would be tough. At this point, I don't think anybody can guarantee King's health. I'm sure he's 100 percent and ready to play, but to me it's dangerous to count on an enforcer who is coming off shoulder surgery.

Mikey: Is Bernie Federko okay? I like Darren Pang but why is Federko being replaced? Take care JR!

Jeremy Rutherford: Federko is fine. He will remain on the telecasts and work between the benches. On road games, Federko will stay in STL and work in the studio. I'm a big fan of Bernie Federko, so I hope he does well and enjoys his new role.

Meatwagon: Hey Jr,

Jeremy Rutherford: What?

fourdashfour: with all the defenceman the blues have, will they look to trade for a forward before the season?

Jeremy Rutherford: Which Blues team are you talking about . . . not the St. Louis Blues.

If Brewer can't play, here's the depth chart:

1. Barret Jackman
2. Erik Johnson
3. Carlo Colaiacovo
4. Mike Weaver
5. Roman Polak
6. Tyson Strachan
7. Alex Pietrangelo
8. Steve Wagner
9. Ian Cole (scheduled to play at Notre Dame)

Iffy: Brewer
Gone: McKee, Woywitka

Meatwagon: Hey Jr,
I was at both practices on Weds. and by far Eller was the best pure skater on the ice, in both sessions(yes even better that Oshie). Some of the one-timers he was able to complete with a shoulder thats not completely healed, was let's say JAW DROPPING. Really hopes that he progresses in the off-season to be 100% healthy. With that being said, what are his chances of making the team this fall. The Blues could really use his speed and skill to help put more picks in the net.

Thanks

Jeremy Rutherford: There you are Meatwagon . . .

Eller has looked really good with the puck. Remember, there was a chance that he wouldn't even skate at this camp because of the injury. To move and shoot the puck like he has, considering the injury, is remarkable.

Jarmo Rules: JR,

Do you believe that this team can improve enough to be a top 4 team in the West this year? Unfortunately I think the Blues are still a year away from being an elite team.

Thanks!

Jeremy Rutherford: I don't think they'll be a top 4 team next season. . . but it's not out of the question in 2010-11 or 2011-12.

umichblue: This is a long-shot, but in covering the Blues, do you ever get any insight as to the Blues' brass impressions of what other teams are doing? Anyone ever say something regarding how careless another team is with their contracts or comment on a recent trade? I'm curious if anyone has ever made a comment as to how much money the Hawks have been throwing around recently.

Jeremy Rutherford: Yes, I hear that stuff all the time . . . the good and bad about what teams are doing. No one within the Blues has said anything negative about the Blackhawks. Obviously they're a big rival, but Blues folks have said, "Good for them."

JD said the Blues aren't at the point where they want to make a big-money offer to a top free agent, like the 'Hawks did with Marian Hossa.

Dan: JR,
Do you think McKee's release was a salary cap issue or a move to make room for Pietrangelo or Cole? Or even both for that matter? It just seems that the Blues are banking on one of the potential rookies to be ready this year.

Thanks!

Jeremy Rutherford:
McKee's situation was both finacial, performance-based and about opportunity for the young defensemen. Pietrangelo benefits the most from the McKee buyout. If Cole turns pro, he's headed to Peoria in my opinion.

Mark: Besides Lehtera, what about Nikita Nikitin? (fabulous name isn't it?) Did the Blues get anywhere trying to get him to come over or will he be staying in Russia?

Jeremy Rutherford:
Doug Armstrong traveled to see Nikitin last season and said he looked good. As much as the Blues would like to get him to North America, I have not heard of any plans that are in the works.

Rufus: JR, hopefully you can clear something up.

Which of these kids that are attending Orientation Camp can the Blues pay their way for? I know the college kids have to pay their own way but what about everyone else? Is that possibly why a lot of the Europeans didn't make the trip - because they didn't have the money to cover the cost of the trip themselves? I thought the Blues could pay their expenses but someone else told me otherwise.

Jeremy Rutherford: As you mentioned, the college kids have to pay their own way. The Blues can pay for anybody under contract, or draft picks who aren't holding onto their amateur status. With the Europeans, if they're not here, it's usually an issue of previous commitments or logistics.

Rino Wilson: hi jr,

here's a pretty open question - what do you think about our goalie situation? every position has in it some semblance of the "future" - is goalie a place where the blues are willing to gamble with that and grow a player? if so, do you think Bishop is even close? or anyone else for that matter? conklin - i don't really see that as a plus. if there was one weak link in the wings this year, it was definitely the goal tending, so grabbing their back-up is a little weak in my opinion (which doesn't necessarily amount to much :)

Thanks

Jeremy Rutherford:
The goalie position is not in bad shape. You have Chris Mason as the designated starter with a capable backup in Ty Conklin. Then you have Ben Bishop and Jake Allen as prospects.

The Blues are trying to grow Bishop and Allen, but they're probably a couple of years away from contending for the starting job. In the meantime, it's Mason's job. He has one more year left on his contract, so his play will determine if the Blues have to go out and get a starter next year.

Jarmo Rules: JR,

Will the Blues be using the alternate jersey again this year? Just checking to see if I need to get one.

Thanks!!

Jeremy Rutherford: I'm guessing they'll be wearing their third jerseys another 15-20 times this season.

stlouisbluesfan81: What's the deal with Darren Pang, why not get Ken Wilson Back

Jeremy Rutherford: Ken Wilson is running a pizza joint, or running for Hawaii governor, or acting as commissioner of a baseball league . . . I lost track.

Mitchfig: JR - Couple comments. Went to the practices on wed. and was impressed by a few things. I love the way the puck comes off of Palushaj's stick. The great ones know when to shoot and when to wait and he looks like a natural. Nice to see Erik Johnson. He looked good. Finally, lined up at the end for some auto's. Alex Pietrangelo signed a couple and had a big smile on his face as he gave high 5's to my 3 kids. Great stuff, they were beaming afterward. My only regret on the day was not getting a "Let's go Blues!" chant going.

Jeremy Rutherford:
I'll let you start the chant here . . .

Mitchfig: "Let's Go Blues!"

Adam K: What up JR,

First, love your work just like everyone else. I was just wondering if there was any word from Federko or Pang yet on the news from today? Thanks.

Jeremy Rutherford:
I spoke with Federko today, but not about the switch. I've heard that he's significantly disappointed. Fortunately, No. 24 will still be on TV, reporting from the sidelines and from the studio.

I do know Pang a little bit and he's a great guy. He loves hockey and it shows in his work.

Ryan: JR, is Pietrangelo still too light or too soft to stick in the NHL?

Jeremy Rutherford: He's a little on the light side at 205 pounds, but if he can get to 210 or 215 by camp, he should be OK. Remember, he's 19.

Jeremy Rutherford: Thanks for your questions today. I hope to see some of you at the Mills this week.