Jeremy Rutherford: Folks: Hang in there, Jeremy is on his way. He's been diverted for a few minutes to check into something, and he should be here shortly.

Also, we're aware of the site's pages loading extremely slowly, and the techs are checking it out as I type this.

-- mike smith

Jeremy Rutherford:
Sorry for the delay. Let's chat . . .

Andy Maxwell: Thanks JR for taking questions, love the column! Just a silly question here. I was wondering when the Blues planned on wearing their 3rd jersey? Although I wouldnt mind them going back to a 1980 replica, the new design is pretty sharp. Thanks again!

Jeremy Rutherford: I believe the Blues will wear the 3rd jersey for the first time on Nov. 21 against Anaheim.

MichaelS: JR, Thanks for the coverage and updates...about Bishop: would you please give us an insight on why it would be beneficial for Bishop to be in Peoria? If, according 'experts', the playoffs are out of our reach this year why not have Bishop up with the Blues? He could be building relationships with the other young guys/defensemen, working with Wamsley daily, learning how to train/manage a regular season, and practice against the competition he is being groomed for in the future. Is it better for him to face the Icehogs and others on the weekends and split time down there, rather than learning up here?

Thanks again for your work with the Blues.

Jeremy Rutherford: With respect to you, I agree with the Blues wholeheartedly that Bishop should spend the year in Peoria. If a goalie is not quite ready, and he's beaten down at the NHL level, it could destroy is confidence. Bishop is a good prospect, but he's got some things to work on. Just like he needed the time at Maine, he needs some time in the AHL. He'll be better for it when his full-time chance with the Blues comes. This experience he's getting now is great for him, but it will better when he can go to Peoria and apply what he learned from Rick Wamsley against less talented forwards in the AHL.

Blues14: JR, Thanks for keeping us fans in the know. My question concerns the defense. With almost every one healthy now, what are the plans on moving guys around?

It seem like Petro has at least 6 more games in the 'Note and with Wagner have some struggles, I can see Woywitka or Junland coming up with Wagner heading to Peoria for a while and Weaver becomes the 7th d-man. Any thoughts?

Jeremy Rutherford:
The Blues need defensemen who can pass the puck out of the zone. If Pietrangelo can do that when he comes back, he'll stay. If not, he'll go back to juniors.

I find it interesting that Jeff Woywitka and Jonas Junland were set to Peoria, and right now there's no plans for them to come back. The Blues need a player like Junland NOW. But it appears that they will both stay in Peoria until the Blues have to make a decision on Pietrangelo.

Wagner has been playing better, but if Pietrangelo stays and Junland and/or Woywitka come back, the defensemen who might be concerned are Steve Wagner and Mike Weaver. Weaver has played OK, but he'd be vulnerable because Polak is playing great and the Blues need a puck-moving defenseman.