Jeremy Rutherford: Let's chat until 2 o'clock and then make a promise that we all go outside and enjoy the day. The weather is unbelievable today! Tell your boss that you're getting a temperature . . . something . . . anything.

Scott L.: Hey JR, thanks for taking my questions.

First this is a little obvious I know but just making sure.... When McDonald came off his ankle injury this past February he said he still felt a little bit of soreness in the ankle as he returned and said he'll deal with it for the rest of the season. I am assuming Andy is going to be a full 100% going into training camp right? It's another key to the offense.

2nd....Who would you place where with a McDonald Backes Kariya line if Andy Murray were to do that?...... I think it would be Kariya/McDonald/Backes

Also lets hope Belfour can be a positive influence on Bishop and Allen and in the future we don't see one of them destroy their goalie sticks every time they let up a goal although it would be pretty fun of the fans.

Jeremy Rutherford:
I talked to McDonald about two weeks. He's feeling great. He's 100 percent now and will be fine when camp rolls around.

McDonald will likely start at left wing, so I don't anticipate him playing with Peoria. He had some success playing with David Backes and David Perron in the playoffs.

That line could stay together, or you could see:

Kariya-Backes-Boyes
McDonald-Berglund-Oshie/Perron

Since the McDonald-Backes-Perron line had some success, maybe you put Kariya-Berglund-Boyes together. But then where does Oshie go? Lots of possibilities.

Thomas: Hi JR, With the arrival of Carlo Colaiacovo, Alexander Steen last season do you the Blues Management( JD and AM) expect them to do better considering they are still young? Colaiacovo, Steen I thought both played pretty well in games that I saw. Whats your opinion of them?

Jay McClement, I was never impressed by his play, but after last season he was one of the bright spots on this team even with the young talent we have. Do you see him playing more other than the checking line and penalty killer?

Jeremy Rutherford: Colaiacovo has really dedicated himself this summer, staying in St. Louis and training at the practice facility. When I spoke with him a few weeks ago, he was pumped and ready to get going. He was the Blues' best offensive weapon from the blue-line last year, and I think he'll grow into that role even more this season. He might even play the point opposite of Erik Johnson on the power play.

I really like McClement. He's very well conditioned, he fits his role perfectly and he takes it very seriously. He's a great face-off guy, he can defend other team's top players and he's a tremendous penalty-kill specialist. Last year, he scored a couple of VERY key shorthanded goals. McClement has gradually become a solid NHL player.

iamkariyablue: Hi JR, Back from FL-nice article-pleased to read Kariya is more than ready to go and looking forward to seeing that happen.

Got a couple of questions for you...

If team physicals are 9/12, and the first preseason game is 9/15, when is training camp?

Also, about EJ, I want to believe, but his only NHL experience is the equivalent of about 1/2 season a year ago, and his type of injury, as I understand it, results in some permanent knee instability. Is there an objective basis for all the predictions of greatness this season?

Thanks!

Jeremy Rutherford:
The Blues will be on the ice Sept. 13. I've wondered about the schedule myself, thinking that playing games just a few days after camp starts could contribute to groin injuries, etc. But the players say it's not a big issue and that by the time they play the first exhibition game, they will have been skating and training on their own for month. Plus, not all of the regulars will play in that preseason game. You're likely to see a lot of the guys destined for Peoria.

I don't know that anybody can guarantee that Johnson will have a great year. Coming off the knee surgery, there are questions. But if you ask anybody around the Blues who's been training the hardest this summer, they'll all mention Johnson's name. So if he's able to knock the rust off rather quickly, he should be fine.

Tim B: I was wondering when the info for the Traverse City tourney would come out. The schedule & the rosters.

Any possible name that isn't well known to look out for that you think will be playing for the Blues there?

Jeremy Rutherford: I don't have the rosters yet. The tournament runs Sept. 6-10. Brett Sonne, Philip McRae, Alex Pietrangelo and Jake Allen are all players to watch, although Pietrangelo is the only one with a shot to play for the Blues this season. Lars Eller has a shot, too, but I don't know if he'll be cleared to play in Traverse City. I kind of doubt it.